It is contended that the liquor-drinking habit is increasing. By some this is denied. But certain it is that it is used in homes and by women more than it was twenty-five years ago. This is especially true in fashionable circles, and in circles which aim to ape the fashionable. Besides this evil there are many drugs used of a more or less toxic character. They have been so mixed with “nervines” and “tonics,” of which they form the essential element desired, that the use of the concoction is equivalent to the use of the drug by itself. A recent grand jury in Chicago, the Medical Record of New York (April 18) tells us, “probing into the question of the sale of dangerous drugs, came to some startling conclusions.” The Illinois State Board of Pharmacy had testified that the sale of dangerous drugs in Illinois and Chicago was carried on to a large extent, and the grand jury confirmed this, and declared that there was “an alarming growth in the sale and use of cocaine.” The drug was sold without a physician’s certificate. The London Speaker comments in like strain; and the Medical Record says: “The cocaine habit is undoubtedly on the increase, and is more prevalent in this country than anywhere else. . . . Laws are needed everywhere to restrict the sale of dangerous drugs and of patent medicines composing the same, so that temptation may not be placed in the way of the perverse and neurotic inhabitants of this and other lands.” The query arises: For how many of the increasing and unnatural crimes are these drugs responsible? The world is becoming drunken. It is a time literally for Christians to “watch and be sober.”
A Fatal Error.
By S.
—Is peace a crime? A writer in a labor journal declares that it is a crime to be at peace when we know that injustice is being done; that it is permissible to indulge in anger and violence to right wrong. This is a doctrine that is finding thousands of adherents to-day, especially in the field of labor disputes. It is not only believed in, but actually practised in connection with almost every such dispute. It is an error, and a dangerous and fatal one; for instead of “righting a wrong,” it makes two wrongs where but one had been. The example of Christ is better. He, tho having done no wrong, suffered wrong even to the taking of His life, and suffered it without “violence” on His part, without “anger,” without vindictiveness; nor did He permit one of His followers to resort to any violent means to prevent the wrong that was being done Him. It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. It is better to be at peace in the midst of wrong than to attempt to bring justice by being wrong and doing wrong ourselves. In addition to His own example, Christ has given us a direct command upon this point: “I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil; but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matt. 5: 39. Now who is the criminal? The writer referred to would claim it was Christ. But there is a higher and a wiser Judge, and we know what His verdict would be.
S.
Crowdy, the Colored Elijah
By Editor
And now the colored people have an Elijah; not “a really truly one,” as the children say, but a great pompous one like some of the white Elijahs, who have done and will do great things. This one who edits a paper in Philadelphia, claims to be John and Elijah, and “the angel flying in the midst of heaven,” and the “son of David,” and “the lion of the tribe of Judah.” He tells us that he removed Victoria, and did lots of other things. Of course the colored people have as much right to have a wonderful Elijah in Crowdy as do the white people in Dowie. There is but little difference in their claims. We are sorry for the blended self-constituted “prophets;” we are sorry for their poor, flattered, deluded followers.
