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--The
"Day of Jehovah," the "Day of Vengeance," the
"Day of Wrath" |
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Christ
will be
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The "Day of Jehovah" is the name of that period of time
in which God's kingdom, under Christ, is to be gradually "set
up" in the earth, while the kingdoms of this world are passing
away and Satan's power and influence over men are being bound. It is
everywhere described as a dark day of intense trouble and distress and
perplexity upon mankind.
And what wonder
that a revolution of such proportions, and necessitating such great
changes, should cause trouble. Small revolutions have caused trouble in
every age; and this, so much greater than any previous revolution, is to
be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation --no,
nor ever shall be. It is called the "Day of Jehovah" because, though Christ, with royal title and power, will be present as Jehovah's representative, taking charge of all the affairs during this day of trouble, it is more as the General of Jehovah, subduing all things, than as the Prince of Peace, blessing all. Meantime, as false and imperfect views and systems fall, the standard of the new King will rise, and eventually he shall be recognized and owned by all as King of kings. Thus it is presented by the prophets as Jehovah's work to set up Christ's dominion:
The Ancient of days did sit, and there was brought before him one like unto a son of man, and there was given him a dominion, that all kingdoms should serve and obey him. Daniel 7:9,13,14,22,27 Added to these is Paul's statement that, when Christ shall accomplish the object of his reign,
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God
has |
This period is called the "Day of Vengeance of our God," and
a "Day of Wrath." Isaiah 61:2; 63:1-4; Psalms 110:5 And
yet the mind that grasps only the idea of anger, or supposes divine
malice, seriously errs.
God has established certain laws, in harmony with which he operates, and those who from any cause come into conflict with these reap the penalty or wrath of their own course. God's counsel to mankind has been continually rejected, except by the few; and, as we have shown, he permitted them to have their own way and to drop him and his counsels from their hearts. Romans 1:28 He then
confined his special care to Abraham and his seed, who professed to
desire his way and his service. Their hardness of heart as a people, and
the insincerity of their hearts toward God, not only naturally prevented
them from receiving Messiah, but just as naturally prepared them for and
led them into the trouble which terminated their national existence. |
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And so the light borne in the world during the Gospel age by the true
Church of Christ (the class whose names are written in heaven) has borne
witness to the civilized world of the difference between right and
wrong, good and evil, and of a coming time in which the one will be
rewarded and the other punished. John 16:8-11; Acts 24:25
This would have had a wide influence upon men had they heeded the Lord's instruction, but, willful as ever, they have profited little by the advice of the Scriptures, and the trouble of the Day of the Lord will come as a consequence of the neglect. Again, it may
be said to be the wrath of God inasmuch as it comes through disregard of
his counsels, and as a reward of unrighteousness. Nevertheless, viewed
in another light, the trouble coming upon the world is the natural or
legitimate result of sin, which God foresaw, and against which his
counsels would have protected them, had they been followed. |
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The
world
The "voice of
avarice"
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While God's message to the Church has been, "Present your bodies
a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1), his message to the world has
been,
Few have heeded either message. Only a little flock sacrificed; and as for the world, though it nailed up the motto, "Honesty is the best policy," it has neglected in general to practice it. It heeded rather the voice of avarice--Get all you can of riches and honor and power in this world, no matter what the method by which you obtain it, and no matter who loses by your gain. In a word, the trouble of this Day of the Lord would not come, could not come, if the principles of God's law were observed to any considerable extent. That law briefly summed up is--Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself. Matthew 22:37-39 It is because the
depraved or carnal mind is opposed to this law of God, and is not
subject to it, that, as a natural consequence, the trouble will come, as
reaping after sowing. |
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The
selfish, stony heart of man |
The carnal or depraved mind, so far from loving its neighbor as itself,
has always been selfish and grasping--often leading even to violence and
murder to get for self the things possessed by others. However
exercised, the selfish principle is always the same, except as governed
by circumstances of birth, education and surroundings.
It has been the same in every age of the world, and will be, until, by the force of the iron rule of Messiah, not might nor greed, but love, will decide what is RIGHT, and enforce it, until all may have opportunity to learn the superior benefits of the rule of righteousness and love as compared with that of selfishness and might. Until, under the influence of the sunlight of truth and righteousness, the selfish, stony heart of man will become once more as when God pronounced it "very good"--a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 |
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How
did the
Sustenance
became the principal aim |
Looking back, we can see without difficulty how the change from Godlike
love and kindness to hard selfishness came about. The circumstances
tending to promote selfishness were encountered as soon as man, through
disobedience, lost the divine favor and was exiled from his Eden home,
where his every want had been bountifully supplied.
As our condemned parents went forth and began the battle of life, seeking to prolong existence to its farthest limit, they were met at once with thorns and briers and thistles and sterile ground. And the contending with these produced weariness and the sweat of face which the Lord had declared. Gradually the mental and moral qualities began to dwarf from lack of exercise, while the lower qualities retained fuller scope from constant exercise. Sustenance became the principal aim and interest of life; and its cost in labor became the standard by which all other interests were estimated, and Mammon became master of men. Can we wonder
that under such circumstances mankind became selfish, greedy and
grasping, each striving for most--first of the necessities, and secondly
of the honors and luxuries bestowed by Mammon? It is but the natural
tendency of which Satan has taken great advantage. |
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The
veil
Wealth
brings
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During past ages, under various influences (among others, ignorance,
race prejudices, and national pride), the great wealth of the world has
generally been in the hands of the few--the rulers--to whom the masses
rendered slavish obedience as to their national representatives, in
whose wealth they felt a pride and an interest as their own
representatively.
But as the time drew near in which Jehovah designed to bless the world through a Restitution at the hands of Messiah, he began to lift up the veil of ignorance and superstition, through modern facilities and inventions; and with these came the general elevation of the people and the decreasing power of earthly rulers. No longer is the wealth of the world in the hands of its kings, but chiefly among the people. Though wealth
brings many evils, it also brings some blessings: the wealthy obtain
better educations--but thus they are lifted intellectually above the
poorer people and become more or less associated with royalty. Hence an
aristocracy exists which has both money and education to back it, and to
assist in its avaricious struggle to get all it can and to keep self in
the front rank at any cost. |
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take advantage of educational facilities, they begin to think for themselves. |
But, as intelligence spreads, as the people take advantage of
educational facilities, now so abundant, they begin to think for
themselves.
With the self-esteem and selfishness in them led on by a little learning--sometimes a dangerous thing--they fancy that they see ways and means by which the interests and circumstances of all men, and especially their own, can be promoted at the cost of the fewer numbers in whose hands the wealth now lies. Many of these, doubtless, honestly believe that the conflicting interests of Mammon's worshipers (themselves on one side, and the wealthy on the other) could be easily and fairly adjusted; and no doubt they feel that were they wealthy they would be very benevolent, and quite willing to love their neighbors as themselves. But they
evidently deceive themselves; for in their present condition very few
indeed manifest such a spirit, and he that would not be faithful in the
use of a little of this world's goods would not be faithful if he had
greater riches. In fact, circumstances prove this; for some of the
hardest hearted and most selfish among the wealthy are those who have
risen suddenly from the humble walks of life. |
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On the contrary, while by no means excusing but reproving covetousness
and grasping selfishness on the part of all classes, it is but proper to
notice that the provision made for the sick and helpless and poor, in
the way of asylums, hospitals, poor-houses, public libraries, schools
and various other enterprises. These, for the good and comfort of
the masses, rather than of the wealthy, are maintained mainly by taxes
and donations from the rich.
These
institutions almost always owe their existence to the kindhearted and
benevolent among the rich, and are matters which the poorer classes have
neither the time, nor generally the necessary education or interest, to
bring into successful operation. |
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There
has been
Capital vs. Labor
The
increase of
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Nevertheless, today sees a growing opposition between the wealthy and
laboring classes--a growing bitterness on the part of labor, and a
growing feeling among the wealthy that nothing but the strong arm of the
law will protect what they believe to be their rights.
Hence, the wealthy are drawn closer to the governments; and the wage-working masses, beginning to think that laws and governments were designed to aid the wealthy and to restrain the poor, are drawn toward Communism and Anarchy, thinking that their interests would best be served thereby, and not realizing that the worst government, and the most expensive, is vastly better than no government at all. Many scriptures clearly show that this will be the character of the trouble under which present civil, social and religious systems will pass away; that this is the way in which increase of knowledge and liberty will result, because of man's imperfection, mental, moral and physical. These scriptures will be referred to in due course; but here we can only call attention to a few of the many, advising our readers meanwhile that in many of the prophecies of the Old Testament in which Egypt, Babylon and Israel figure so largely, not only was there a literal fulfillment intended, but also a secondary and larger one. Thus, for instance, the predictions regarding the fall of Babylon, etc., must be considered extravagant beyond measure, did we not recognize a symbolic and antitypical as well as a literal Babylon. The book of Revelation contains predictions recorded long after literal Babylon was in ruins, and hence evidently applicable only to symbolic Babylon; yet the close resemblance of the words of the prophets, apparently directly addressed to literal Babylon, are thus shown to belong in an especial sense to symbolic Babylon. In this larger fulfillment, Egypt represents the world; Babylon represents the nominal Church, called Christendom; while, as already shown, Israel often represents the whole world in its justified condition, as it will be--its glorious Royal Priesthood, its holy Levites and its believing and worshiping people, justified by the sacrifice of the Atonement, and brought into a condition of reconciliation with God. To Israel the
blessings are promised, to Egypt the plagues, and to strong Babylon a
wonderful, complete and everlasting overthrow, "as a great
millstone cast into the sea" (Revelation 18:21), never to be
recovered, but to be held in everlasting odium. |
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The Apostle James points out this day of trouble, and tells of its being
the result of differences between capital and labor. He says:
He adds that the class coming into trouble has been used to luxury, obtained largely at the cost of others, among whom were some of the righteous, and out of them, because they resisted not, the very life had been crushed. The Apostle urges the "brethren" to bear patiently whatever their part may be, looking beyond, and expecting deliverance through the Lord. This very condition of things can now be seen approaching; and in the world, among those who are awake, "men's hearts are failing them for looking after the things that are coming on the earth." All know that
the constant tendency of our times is toward lower wages for labor,
unless where the prices are artificially sustained or advanced by labor
combinations, strikes, etc. With the present sentiment of the masses,
all can see that it is but a question of time when the lowest point of
endurance will be reached, and a revolt will surely result. |
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This will alarm capital, which will be withdrawn from business and
manufacturing channels and hoarded in vaults and treasuries, to eat
itself up with charges for its protection in idleness, to the great
annoyance of its owners.
This in turn will certainly produce bankruptcy, financial panic and business prostration, because all business of magnitude is now conducted largely on credit. The natural result of all this will be to throw out of employment tens of thousands who are dependent on their wages for daily bread, and to fill the world with tramps and persons whose necessities will defy all law. Then it will be as described by the prophet Ezekiel 7:10-19, when the buyer need not rejoice, nor the seller mourn; for trouble will be upon the entire multitude and there will be no security of property. Then all hands
will be feeble and helpless to turn aside the trouble. They will cast
their silver in the streets, and their gold will be removed. Their
silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the
Lord's wrath. |
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It should not be forgotten that though the last forty years of the
existence of Israel as a nation was a day of trouble, a "day of
vengeance" upon that people, ending in the complete overthrow
of their nation. Yet, their day of wrath was but a shadow or type
of a still greater and more extensive trouble upon nominal Christendom,
even as their past history as a people during their age of favor was
typical of the Gospel age, as will be conclusively shown hereafter.
All then will
see why these prophecies concerning the Day of the Lord should be, and
are, addressed to Israel and Jerusalem more or less directly, though the
connections show clearly that all mankind is included in the complete
fulfillment's. |
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The
trouble involves
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All Classes to Be Punished Take another prophetic testimony (Zephaniah 1:7-9,14-18).
[This shows not only that there will be a great overthrow of wealth and power in this time of trouble, but that those who will for the time be the instruments of heaven in breaking down present systems will also be punished for their equally unjust and unrighteous course; for the coming trouble will involve all classes, and bring distress upon all the multitude.]
This destruction will destroy many of the wealthy in the sense that they will cease to be wealthy, though doubtless it will also involve the loss of many lives of all classes. We shall not attempt to follow the prophets in their details, from various standpoints, of the trouble of that day, but shall follow briefly the thought last suggested by the prophet above, namely, the devouring of the whole earth with the FIRE of God's zeal. This prophet refers to the same fire, etc., again (Zephaniah 3:8,9), saying: |
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[The gathering of the peoples of all nations in common interest in opposition to present governments is growing; and the result will be a uniting of the kingdoms for common safety, so that the trouble will be upon all kingdoms, and all will fall.]
This fire of God's zeal is a symbol, and a forcible one, representing the intensity of the trouble and the destruction which will envelop the whole earth. That it is not a literal fire, as some suppose, is evident from the fact that the people remain after it, and are blessed. That the
people who remain are not saints, as some would suggest, is evident from
the fact that they are then turned to serve the Lord, whereas the
saints are turned (converted) already.* |
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Other
symbols |
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Throughout the Scriptures, earth, when used symbolically, represents society; mountains represent kingdoms; heavens, the powers of spiritual control; seas, the restless, turbulent, dissatisfied masses of the world. Fire represents the destruction of whatever is burned--tares, dross, earth (social organization), or whatever it may be. And when brimstone is added to fire in the symbol, it intensifies the thought of destruction; for nothing is more deadly to all forms of life than the fumes of sulfur. |
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Peter’s
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With this thought in mind, if we turn to Peter's symbolic prophecy of
the Day of Wrath, we find it in perfect accord with the above testimony
of the prophets. He says:
The fact that the water was literal leads some to believe that the fire also must be literal, but this by no means follows. The temple of God
once was of literal stones, but that does not set aside the fact that
the Church, which is the true temple, is built up a spiritual building,
a holy temple, not of earthly material. Noah's ark was literal, too, bu
pified Christ and the power in him which will replenish and
reorganize society. |
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The
symbolic
The Prophet Malachi’s symbols
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It should be remembered that some of the apostles were prophets as well--notably Peter, John and Paul. While as apostles they were God's mouthpieces to expound the utterances of preceding prophets for the benefit of the Church, they were also used of God as prophets to predict things to come. Prophecies which, as they become due to be fulfilled, become meat in due season for the household of faith, to dispense which, God in his own time raises up suitable servants or expounders. (See our Lord's statement of this fact– Matthew 24:45,46.) The apostles as prophets were moved upon to write things which, not being due in their day, they could but imperfectly appreciate, even as it was with the Old Testament prophets. 1 Peter 1:12,13 Though, like them, their words were specially guided and directed so that they have a depth of meaning of which they were not aware when using them. Thus emphatically the Church is ever guided and fed by God himself, whoever may be his mouthpieces or channels of communication. A realization of this must lead to greater confidence and trust in God's Word, notwithstanding the imperfections of some of his mouthpieces. The Prophet Malachi (4:1) tells of this Day of the Lord under the same symbol. He says:
Pride, and
every other cause from which haughtiness and oppression could again
spring forth, will be entirely consumed by the great trouble of the Day
of the Lord and by the after disciplines of the Millennial age--the last
of which is described in Revelation 20:9. |
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Haughtiness |
But, while pride (in all its forms sinful and detestable) is to be utterly rooted out, and all the proud and wicked are to be utterly destroyed, it does not follow that there is no hope for a reformation in this class. No,
thank God: while this fire of God's just indignation will be burning,
the Judge will grant opportunity for pulling some out of the
consuming fire (Jude 23). Those only who refuse the aid will
perish with their pride; because they have made it part of their
character, and refuse to reform. |
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The same prophet gives another description of this day (Malachi 3:1-3), in which again, under the figure of fire, he shows how the Lord's children will be purified and blessed and brought nigh to him by having the dross of error destroyed:
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Symbolic
fire
Gold, Silver and Precious Gems symbolize Divine Truths and Corresponding Character
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Paul refers to this same fire, and this refining process affecting
believers in the Day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 3:12-15), and in such a
manner as to leave it beyond all question that the symbolic fire will destroy
every error, and thus effect purification of faith.
After declaring that he refers only to those building their faith upon the only recognized foundation, Christ Jesus' finished work of redemption, he says:
Surely even the most prejudiced will concede that the fire which tries a spiritual work is not literal fire; fire is an appropriate symbol to represent the utter destruction of conditions represented here by wood, hay and stubble. This fire will be powerless to destroy the faith-and-character structure built with the gold, silver and precious stones of divine truth, and founded upon the rock of Christ's ransom-sacrifice. The Apostle shows this, saying:
--singed, scorched and alarmed. All who build on the rock foundation of Christ's ransom are sure: none that trust in his righteousness as their covering will ever be utterly confounded. But those who willfully
reject him and his work, after coming to a clear, full knowledge
thereof, will be subject to the second death. Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:26-31 |
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A
storm
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In yet another way is this trouble of the Day of the Lord symbolically
described. The Apostle shows (Hebrews 12:26-29) that the inauguration of
the Law Covenant at Sinai was typical of the introduction of the New
Covenant to the world at the opening of the Millennial age, or reign of
Christ's kingdom.
He says that in the type God's voice shook the literal earth, but now he hath promised, saying,
Thus we see this apostle uses a storm to symbolize the trouble of this Day of the Lord, which he and others elsewhere refer to under the symbol of fire. The same events are here noted that are described under the fire symbol, namely, the sweeping away of all falsities, both from believers and from the world--errors regarding God's plan and character and Word, and also errors as to social and civil affairs in the world. It will be good indeed for all to be rid of these fabrications, which came to man largely through his own depraved desires, as well as by the cunning craftiness of Satan, the wily foe of righteousness; but it will be at great cost to all concerned that they will be swept away. It will be a terribly
hot fire, a fearful storm, a dark night of trouble, which will precede
the glorious brightness of that Kingdom of Righteousness which can never
be shaken, that Millennial day in which the Sun of Righteousness will
shine forth in splendor and power, blessing and healing the sick and
dying but redeemed world. Compare Malachi 4:2 and Matthew 13:43. |
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A
dark night
The
Psalmist David vividly describes this Day
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David, the prophet through whose Psalms God was pleased to foretell so
much concerning our Lord at his first advent, gives some vivid
descriptions of this Day of Trouble by which his glorious reign will be
introduced.
He uses these various symbols--fire, storm and darkness--alternately and interchangeably, in his descriptions. Thus, for instance, he says (Psalms 50:3):
And in the same Psalm, verses 6-10, the same story is restated in other symbols:
Then, viewing the results of that time of trouble from beyond it, he adds:
The "new
earth" or new order and arrangement of society will exalt God
and his law, as over and controlling all. |
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Another testimony in proof of the fact that the Day of the Lord will be
a great day of trouble and of destruction to every form of evil (yet not
a time of literal burning of the earth) is furnished in the last
symbolic prophecy of the Bible.
Referring to this time when the Lord will take his great power to reign, the storm and fire are thus described–
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We cannot here digress to examine these symbols– "beast,"
"false prophet," "image," "lake of fire,"
"horse," etc., etc. For this the reader is referred to a
succeeding volume.
Now we would have you notice that the great symbolic BATTLE, and the harvesting of the vine of the earth here described as closing the present age and opening up the Millennial age (Revelation 20:1-3), are but other symbols covering the same great and troublous events elsewhere symbolically called fire, storm, shaking, etc. In connection
with the battle and winepress figures of Revelation, note the striking
harmony of Joel 2:9-16 and Isaiah 13:1-11, in describing the same events
by similar figures. The variety of symbolic figures used helps us to
appreciate more fully all the features of that great and notable Day of
the Lord. |
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Pride
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The Present Situation We here leave the prophetic statements regarding that day, to mark more particularly the present aspect of affairs in the world, as we now see them shaping themselves for the rapidly approaching conflict--a conflict which, when its terrible climax is reached, must necessarily be a short one, else the race would be exterminated. The two rival parties to this battle are already visible. Wealth, arrogance and pride are on one side, and widely-prevailing poverty, ignorance, bigotry and a keen sense of injustice are on the other. Both, impelled by selfish motives, are now organizing their forces all over the civilized world. With our eyes anointed with truth, wherever we look we can see that the sea and the waves are already roaring and lashing and foaming out against the mountains, as represented in the threats and attempts of anarchists and discontents whose numbers are constantly increasing. We can see, too, that
the friction between the various factions or elements of society
is rapidly getting to the point described by the prophets, when the
earth (society) will be on fire, and the elements will melt and
disintegrate with the mutually generated heat. |
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The
two rival parties -- The
wealthy |
It is of course difficult for people, on whichever side of this
controversy they may be, to see contrary to their own interests, habits
and education.
The wealthy feel that they have a right to more than their proportional share of this world's goods; a right to purchase labor and every commodity as low as they can; a right to the fruit of their efforts. They feel that they have a right to use their intelligence so to run their business as to make profit for themselves and to increase their hoarded wealth, no matter who else may be compelled by force of circumstances to drag through life with few of its comforts, even if with all of its necessities. They reason thus: It is the inevitable; the law of supply and demand must govern; rich and poor have always been in the world; and if the wealth were evenly divided in the morning, some would, through dissipation or improvidence, be poor before night, while others, more careful and prudent, would be rich. Besides, they will
argue with effect, Can it be expected that men of greater brain power
will undertake vast enterprises, employing thousands of men, with the
risks of large losses, unless there be hopes of gain and some advantage? |
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the laborer
All
Both
labor
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The artisan and the laborer, on the contrary, will say: We see that while labor enjoys many advantages today above any other day, while it is better paid, and can therefore procure greater comforts, yet it is in this enjoying only its right, from which it has long been debarred to some extent. Labor is thus properly deriving a share of the advantages of the inventions, discoveries, increasing knowledge, etc., of our time. We recognize labor as honorable, and that, when accompanied with good sense, education, honesty and principle, it is as honorable, and has as many rights, as any profession. And, on the contrary, we esteem idleness a discredit and disgrace to all men, whatever their talent or occupation in life. All, to be valued and appreciated, should be useful to others in some respect. But though realizing our present improvement and advancement, intellectually, socially and financially, we realize this to be more the result of circumstances than of human design on the part of either ourselves or our employers. We see our improved condition, and that of all men, to be the result of the great increase of intelligence, invention, etc., of the past fifty years particularly. These came up so rapidly that labor as well as capital got a lift from the tidal wave, and was carried to a higher level; and if we could see a prospect that the flood tide would continue to rise, and to benefit all, we would feel satisfied; but we are anxious and restless now because we see that this is not the case. We
see that the flood tide is beginning to turn, and that whereas many have
been lifted high in wealth by it, and are firmly and securely fixed upon
the shore of ease, luxury and opulence, yet the masses are not thus
settled and secured, but are in danger of being carried as low as ever,
or lower, by the undercurrent of the now ebbing tide. Hence it is that
we are disposed to grasp hold of something to insure our present state
and our further advancement before it is too late. |
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The
organization
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To state the matter in other words, we (artisans and laborers) see that
while all mankind has largely shared the blessings of the day, yet those
who by reason of greater talent for business, or by inheritance, or by
fraud and dishonesty, have become possessors of tens of thousands and
millions of dollars, have not only this advantage over all
others, but, aided by the mechanical inventions, etc., they are in a
position to continue the ratio of their increase in wealth, in
proportion to the decrease in the wage-workers' salaries.
We see that unless we take some steps toward the protection of the increasing number of artisans against the increasing power of monopoly, combined with labor-saving machinery, etc., the cold-blooded law of supply and demand will swallow us up completely. It is against this impending disaster, rather than against present conditions, that we organize and seek protective arrangements. Each day adds largely to our numbers by natural increase and by immigration; and each day adds to the labor-saving machinery. Each day, therefore, increases the number seeking employment and decreases the demand for their service. The natural law of
supply and demand, therefore, if permitted to go on uninterruptedly,
will soon bring labor back where it was a century ago, and leave all the
advantages of our day in the hands of capital. It is this that we
seek to avert. |
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One invention has followed another very rapidly. |
This ultimate tendency of many real blessings to work injury, unless restrained by wise and equitable laws, was long since seen. But the rapidity with which one invention has followed another, and the consequent increased demand for labor in providing this labor-saving machinery, has been so great that the ultimate result has been delayed. Instead, the world has had a "boom"--an inflation of values, wages, wealth, credits (debts) and ideas--from which the reaction is now commencing gradually to take place. | ||||||||
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Supply
outruns
as much as many did formerly |
In the last few years there have been produced in vast quantities
agricultural implements of every description which enable one man to
accomplish as much as five could formerly.
This has a two-fold effect: first, three times as many acres are worked, giving employment to three out of the five laborers, thus setting two adrift to compete for other labor; secondly, the three who remain can, by the use of the machinery, produce as great a crop as fifteen would have done without it. The same or greater changes are wrought in other departments by similar agencies; for instance, in iron and steel making. Its growth has been so enormous that the number of employees has greatly increased, notwithstanding the fact that machinery has enabled one man at present to accomplish about as much as twelve did formerly. One of the
results will be that very shortly the capacity of these extensive works
will more than meet the present enormous demands. The demands,
instead of continuing to increase, will probably decrease; for the world
is fast being supplied with railroads beyond present needs. The
yearly repairs on these could probably be supplied by less than one-half
the present number of establishments. |
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Over-production
and |
Thus we are brought in contact with the peculiar condition in which
there is an over-production, causing idleness occasionally to both
capital and labor, while at the same time some lack the employment which
would enable them to procure necessities and luxuries and thus in a
measure cure the over-production.
And the tendency
toward both over-production and lack of employment is on the increase,
and calls for a remedy of some kind which society's physicians are
seeking, but of which the patient will not make use. |
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"Boom" |
While, therefore (continues the wage-worker), we realize that as the
supply begins to exceed the demand, competition is greatly reducing the
profits of capital and machinery. Throughout the world,
competition is distressing the rich by curtailing their profits, and in
some cases causing them actual loss instead of profit.
Yet we believe that the class which benefited most by the "boom" and inflation should suffer most in the reaction, rather than that the masses should suffer from it. To this end,
and for these reasons, wage-workers are moving to obtain the following
results--by legislation if possible, or by force and lawlessness in
countries where, for any cause, the voice of the masses is not heard,
and the interests of the masses are not conserved: |
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Labor demands
The
great
|
It is proposed that the hours of labor be shortened in proportion to the
skill or severity of the labor, without a reduction of wages, in order
thus to employ a greater number of persons without increasing the
products, and thus to equalize the coming over-production by providing a
larger number with the means of purchasing.
It is proposed to fix and limit the rate of interest on money at much less than the present rates, and thus compel a leniency of the lenders toward the borrowers or poorer class, or else an idleness or rusting of their capital. It is proposed that
railroads shall either be the property of the people, operated by their
servants, government officials, or that legislation shall restrict their
liberties, charges, etc., and compel their operation in such a manner as
to serve the public better.
Thus it comes that great railroad systems are endeavoring to pay interest and dividends upon stocks and bonded debts which on an average are four times as great as these railroads would actually cost today new. As a consequence the public suffers. Farmers are charged heavily for freights, and sometimes find it profitable to burn their grain for fuel; and thus the cost of food to the people is greater without being to the farmer's advantage. It is proposed to
remedy this matter, so that railroads shall pay to their stockholders
about four per cent on their present actual value, and not four to eight
per cent, on three or four times their present value, as many of them
now do, by preventing competition through pooling arrangements. |
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Management proposes
|
We well know, says the artisan, that in the eyes of those who hold
watered railroad stocks, and other stocks, this reduction of profits on
their invested capital will seem terrible, and will come like drawing
teeth. They will feel that their rights (?) to use their
franchises granted by the people, to squeeze from them immense profits,
based upon fictitious valuations, are being grievously outraged, and
that they will resist it all they know how.
But we feel that they should be thankful that the public is so lenient, and that they are not required to make restitution of millions of dollars already thus obtained. We feel that the time has come for the masses of the people to share more evenly the blessings of this day of blessings. To do this it is necessary so to legislate that all greedy corporations, fat with money and power derived from the public, shall be restrained, and compelled by law to serve the public at reasonable rates. In no other way can these blessings of Providence be secured to the masses. Hence, while great corporations, representing capital, are to a large extent a blessing and a benefit, we are seeing daily that they have passed the point of benefit and are becoming masters of the people, and if unchecked will soon reduce wage-workers to penury and slavery. Corporations,
composed of numbers of people all more or less wealthy, are rapidly
coming to occupy the same relation to the general public of America that
the Lords of Great Britain and all Europe occupy toward the masses
there, only that the corporations are more powerful. |
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 |
To accomplish our ends, continue the wage-workers, we need organization.
We must have the cooperation of the masses or we can never accomplish
anything against such immense power and influence. And though we are
organized into unions, etc., it must not be understood that our aim is
anarchy or injustice toward any class.
We, the masses of the people, simply desire to protect our own rights, and those of our children, by putting reasonable bounds upon those whose wealth and power might otherwise crush us– which wealth and power, properly used and limited, may be a more general blessing to all. In a word, they conclude, we would enforce the golden rule--
|
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Wage Workers organize for
reform |
Selfish
Men Will Not Happy would it be for all concerned if such moderate and reasonable means would succeed; if the rich would rest with their present acquirements and cooperate with the great mass of the people in the general and permanent improvement of the condition of all classes; if the wage-workers would content themselves with reasonable demands; if the golden rule of love and justice could thus be put in practice. But men in their present condition will not observe this rule without compulsion. Though there be some among the artisans of the world who would be thus moderate and just in their ideas, the majority are not so, but will be extreme, unjust and arrogant in their ideas and demands, beyond all reason. Each concession on the part of capitalists will but add to such demands and ideas; and all having experience know that the arrogance and rule of the ignorant poor are doubly severe. And so among those of wealth--some are fully in sympathy with the laboring classes, and would be glad to act out their sympathy by making such arrangements as would gradually effect the needed reforms; but they are greatly in the minority and wholly powerless in the operating of corporations and to a great extent in their private business. If they be merchants
or manufacturers, they cannot shorten the hours of labor or increase the
wages of their employees; for competitors would then undersell them, and
financial disaster to themselves, their creditors and their employees
would follow. |
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What
causes
|
Thus we see the natural cause of the great trouble of this "Day
of Jehovah." Selfishness, and blindness to all except their own
interests, will control the majority on both sides of the question.
Wage-workers will organize and unify their interests, but selfishness will destroy the union; and each, being actuated mainly by that principle, will scheme and conspire in that direction. The majority, ignorant and arrogant, will gain control, and the better class will be powerless to hold in check that which their intelligence organized. Capitalists will become convinced that the more they yield the more will be demanded, and will soon determine to resist all demands. Insurrection will result; and in the general alarm and distrust capital will be withdrawn from public and private enterprises, and business depression and financial panic will follow. Thousands of
men thrown out of employment in this way will finally become desperate.
Then law and order will be swept away--the mountains will be swallowed
up in that stormy sea. |
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The
melting |
Thus the social earth will melt, and the governmental heavens (church
and state) will pass away; and all the proud, and all who do wickedly,
will be as stubble. Then the mighty men will weep bitterly, the rich
will howl, and fear and distress will be upon all the multitude.
Even now, wise, far-seeing men find their hearts failing them as they look forward to those things coming upon the world, even as our Lord predicted. Luke 21:26 The Scriptures
show us that in this general rupture the nominal church (including all
denominations) will be gradually drawn more and more to the side of the
governments and the wealthy, will lose much of its influence over the
people, and will finally fall with the governments. Thus the heavens
[ecclesiastical rule], being on fire, will pass away with a great
hissing. |
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A
government which will enforce the principles |
All this trouble will but prepare the world to realize that though men
may plan and arrange ever so well and wisely, all their plans will prove
futile as long as ignorance and selfishness are in the saddle and have
the control.
It will convince all that the only feasible way of correcting the difficulty is by the setting up of a strong and righteous government, which will subdue all classes, and enforce principles of righteousness, until gradually the stony-heartedness of men will, under favorable influences, give place to the original image of God. And this
is just what God has promised to accomplish for all, by and through the
Millennial Reign of Christ, which Jehovah introduces by the
chastisements and lessons of this day of trouble. Ezekiel 11:19;
36:25,36; Jeremiah 31:29-34; Zephaniah 3:9; Psalms 46:8-10 |
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|
Those
who |
Though this day of trouble comes as a natural and unavoidable result of
man's fallen, selfish condition, and was fully foreseen and declared by
the Lord, who foresaw that his laws and instructions would be
disregarded by all but the few until experience and compulsion force
obedience, yet all who realize the state of things coming should set
themselves and their affairs in order accordingly.
Thus we say to all the meek--the humble of the world, as well as the body of Christ:
None will entirely escape the trouble, but those seeking righteousness and rejoicing in meekness will have many advantages over others. Their manner of life,
their habits of thought and action, as well as their sympathies for the
right, which will enable them to grasp the situation of affairs, and
also to appreciate the Bible account of this trouble and its outcome,
will all conspire to make them suffer less than others--especially from
harassing fears and forebodings. |
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|
Society weakens with each new spasm of trouble. |
The trend of events in this Day of the Lord will be very deceptive to those not Scripturally informed. It will come suddenly, as fire consuming chaff (Zephaniah 2:2), in comparison to the long ages past and their slow operation; but not suddenly as a flash of lightning from a clear sky, as some erroneously expect who anticipate that all things written concerning the Day of the Lord will be fulfilled in a twenty-four hour day. It will come as "a thief in the night," in the sense that its approach will be stealthy and unobserved by the world in general. The trouble of this day will be in spasms. It will be a series of convulsions more frequent and severe as the day draws on, until the final one. The Apostle so
indicates when he says--"as travail upon a woman." 1
Thessalonians 5:2,3 The relief will come only with the birth of the NEW
ORDER of things--a new heavens (the spiritual control of Christ) and
a new earth (reorganized society) wherein dwelleth righteousness (2
Peter 3:10,13)--in which justice and love, instead of power and
selfishness, will be the law. |
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|
Labor
pangs |
Each time these labor pangs of the new era come upon the present body
politic, her strength and courage will be found less, and the pains
severer. All that society's physicians (political economists) can do for
her relief will be to help, and wisely direct the course of the
inevitable birth--to prepare gradually the way for the event. They
cannot avert it if they would; for God has decreed that it shall come to
pass.
Many of society's physicians will, however, be totally ignorant of the real ailment and of the necessities and urgency of the case. These will undertake repressive measures; and as each paroxysm of trouble passes away, they will take advantage of it to fortify the resistive appliances, and will thereby increase the anguish. While they will not
long delay the birth, their malpractice will hasten the death of their
patient; for the old order of things will die in the labor of bringing
forth the new. |
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|
To lay aside the forcible figure suggested by the Apostle, and speak
plainly: The efforts of the masses for deliverance from the grasp of
Capital and machinery will be immature; plans and arrangements
will be incomplete and insufficient, as time after time they attempt to
force their way and burst the bands and limits of "supply and
demand" which are growing too small for them.
Each
unsuccessful attempt will increase the confidence of Capital in its
ability to keep the new order of things within its present limits, until
at length the present restraining power of organizations and governments
will reach its extreme limit. The cord of social organism
will snap asunder, law and order will be gone, and widespread anarchy
will bring all that the prophets have foretold of the trouble "such
as was not since there was a nation"--and, thank God for the
assurance added--"nor ever shall be" afterward. |
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|
Emancipation
|
The deliverance of Isra | ||||||||
