Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1912 — WkGDREYH [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WkGDREYH

COME AND LET US RETURN. Isaiah v, 7-16—Nov. 10. “Woe unto them that rise up early in IM morning, that they may follow strong drinlt; that tarry late into the night, till wine <»- flame.” —Vs. 11; CODAY’S lesson had its primary force in connection with the affairs of natural Israel in the days of the Prophet. But when we remember that Natural Israel types Christendom, we find a value to this lesson very pertinent to our time. "And lie looked for judgment [justice], but behold, oppression; for righteousness and, behold, a cry of distress.” As to the national cry and the reason for it. see verse 8, which reads: "Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in tlie midst of the-earth!” Here we perceive that a spirit of selfishness prevailed in Isaiah’s day, as It does today; as then property was disposed to accumulate in the bands of the more successful, so it is today. As then landlordism took possession of vast areas, neglectful of the fact that “the earth hath the Lord given unto the children of men.” and not merely to a few, so is it today.

A Time of Trouble. Divine disapproval of human hardheartedness, selfishness and neglect of

poorer brethren,and forgetfulness of the fact that we are all children of one blood, amenable to the la w’s of th e sa m e Creator, brou gh t upon the Israelites Divine judgments. We believe that the Scriptures with equal clearness tell

of a great "time of trouble” now impending over the world, especially over Christendom—a time particularly mentioned by St. James, saying, "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for the misery that shall come upon you.” This trouble is mentioned in today’s study, verse !): "The l.ord of Hosts said in my hearing, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant." If we rightly appreciate what the Scriptures foresaw respecting times not far ahead of us, we will see that many of the great and rich will be in a sad plight in their countryside homes, as will be some of the poorer in the congested cities, for the time of trouble, it is declarer], will be upon all. > Music, Revelry, Intoxication. The text given us for today’s lesson comes next In our study. In the days of Isaiah’s prophecy many of the rich Indulged in Intoxicating liquors, music, revelry, etc., to their own injury as well as to the neglect of their responsibilities to God. They asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” even as Caln asked this question. By their accumulated wealth they had more than heart could wish, while others were needy.

And how about today, is it the same? We answer. Yes, and no. With many it is the same exactly, but with a considerable number of the wealthy of our day it is very different, we are glad to say. Continually we have evidence?* that some of the wealthy consider their possessions as a trust from the Almighty, to be used in His service, and for the sake of humanity. But alas, there are comparatively few. The majority of the rich, like the majority of the poor, are selfish to the core. $

When the selfish rich and the selfish poor shall join issue in a great struggle, as the Bible clearly declares they will do, then the world will see the time of trouble prophesied—“such as never was since there was a nation’*— a time of trouble which Jesus declares will never be again, because following that great trouble, upon the ashes of the present civilization, Messiah will establish the Kingdom of God, for the blessing of all the families of the earth —the rich, the poor. Thus Socialism, according to the Bible, will be the ultimate condition of

the earth. Socialists, not aware of this teaching of God’s Word, or if aware of it doubting it, propose to take over in the interest of all mankind the great blessings which are now in the hands of the comparatively few. To us their schemes appear dangerous,

Impractical. To us it appears as the Scriptures indicate, that falling to accomplish their benevolent designs, Socialists will become bitter anarchists, ’ and plunge themselves and the whole world into the most awful trouble ever known. We need the conversion of the world to a heart-hariiiony with God and the principles of righteousness. Will this ever come? Ah, yes! The mouth of the, Ixwd hath spoken it! But it cannot come through any power of ours. ••-Wait ye upon Me, saith the Ixml. until that Day!” “For then will I turn to tlie people a pure language, (hat they mAy ail call upon the name of thl* Lord, to serve Him with one consent.” In His own time, following the great time of trouble. God will humble the- world. Meantime the elect saints will be glorified, and with Messiah, constitute the long-promised Kingdom of God for the blessing of humanity.

“Corporations have grasped land.”

"Am I my brother’s keeper ?"