The past twenty years or so have witnessed some of the most remarkable discoveries and inventions; the wonderful telephone, has everywhere become almost indispensable in commerce and domestic life; the automobile, at first a toy for the wealthy, is fast coming into general use; wireless telegraphy spans space in what would once have been thought a supernatural way, and has been of great value in saving life; the airplane is fast becoming an adjunct to commerce and, alas, to war. All these great discoveries and inventions have been and are attended by great loss of life, especially in rapid locomotion, as the automobile. How many gay and thoughtless parties have ended with the silence of death, casting its awful shadow upon the misnamed "joy-ride." The recklessness of those who handle the airplane is proverbial, as casualty upon casualty bears witness. Men seem to trifle with life itself. It is remarkable that with all these modern and remarkable inventions, disasters such as those of the Titanic and The Empress of Ireland, have taken place notwithstanding. We do not of course put the blame upon the discoverers; but God would remind us that we are as dependent as ever upon Himself; that we are living in a world which would fall to pieces unless upheld by its Maker's omnipotent hand.
Other and sinister developments are also manifest; pride, selfishness, self-will, insubordination, unsubdued passions, ungodliness, with attendant crime.
A traveler passing through a great city recently, which had experienced a terrific earthquake shock, followed by awful devastation of fire, heard some one boast:"We are earthquake-proof, fire-proof, and God-proof!" How awful is the puny wickedness which thus dares to sport on the verge of a yawning precipice which, but for the mercy of God, is ready to engulf him! Truly, "In the last days mockers shall come."
" But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
S. R.