The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-10-22
Everybody's Column
IN THE GRIP OF DISTRESS
PLUNGiNG THE WORLD INTO
BANK RUPTCY ..,

To the Editor:
! A remarkable statement, uttered
nineteen hundred years ago, by the
most unique character that ever lived
on earth, is today being fulfilled be-
fore our eyes. Foretelling events Of
the greatest magnitude, tnat were to
serve as precursors of His return,
Jesus said: "And there shall be signs;
-. upon the earth distress OF ma.
tions, with perplexity:. ...... mems
, hearts failing them for fear, and for
looking after those things which are
coming on the EARTH" Luke FL: rs, ~.
Jesus mentioned several things that
would occur upon earth, each and all
Of which would bring distress" and
"perpleXity." He said: Nation shall
rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom; and great earth.
quakes shall be in divers places, and
famines, and pestilences; and fearful
sights and great signs shall there be
from heaven" Luke FL: 10, H.. Are
not the conditions among the nations
Of earth today a clear fulfillment Of
these prophetic utterances of our
Saviour. ,.s.- -... .cr..
The European war was not the sole
cause OF distress OF nations, with per-
plexity." We turn to Mexico, and
what do we find ?-''Fifteen million op-
pressed men, Overburdened women
and pftiful children, in virtual bonage
in their own home Of fertile lands and
inexhaustible treasure" Betrayed by
leaders, beset by bandits and broken
up and scattered amid revolutionary
warfare, and as result, disaster,
death and ruin upon every hand.
Now can anyone. view with optimism
the conditions in the United States?
While we as a nation are at peace,
and enjoying many blessings denied
our fellow beings Of other lands, yet
we have combinations and conditions
that augur only distress, with per.
iplexity." Take for instance the pres
'ent high cost Of living, when the ne.
cessities of life have reached q price
almost prohibitory to a large class of
people. .a.s .,i,4r'.f n .r.--
This condition today threatens a
revolution, for we have numerous or.
carnations whose purpose is to COM
bat this unjust situation. The rene.
dies suggested are various.
{ What will be done, God alone
knows. But we. know that some are
in distress" and others are greatly
"perplexed," and "men's hearts" are
failing them for fear; and for looking
after those things which are coming
on the EARTH" ,1 y@t-,.r- - -
The moral situation also, is becom.
ing serious problem. Churches are
perplexed. Pastors looking week at
ter week upon empty pews, and see
ing standing room" at the theaters
ia premium, are endeavoring to meet
the situation by forming a great fed.
GRAFTON Of churchmen, employing, in
many cases, the same tactics as the
worldly trusts" besieging congress
to compile laws aregarding church at.
tendance, threatening to boycott their
competitors, and resorting to many so.
cial schemes, all of which would only
;tensify the situation ratherSthan bring
relief. u..... -. .5,sy5 -----.. -
The paramount question confront
ing us all3is, Am prepared to meet
it," This question should so thor
oughly engross our attention that we
will not delay in finding salvation in
Him who came to save that which
was last" He invited all, the weary
and heavy laden, to come to Him, with
the assurance that they shall find rest
to their souls. But the end of all
things is at hand; be yet therefore
sober, and watch unto prayer" Peter
a z. let. ~
Very sincerely yours, is
3. Geo. e. Trager,
or the Seventh-day Adventist Church!