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listic peoples be willing to surrender many of their prerogarives
der one world flag? And even if they were, would that solve the
n of earth? We think the solution of present national and inter-
ris Hes in the hearts of men rather than in world goverrament.
The editor continues 1n picture the
present gloomy outook because of
shrinking confidence in the success
of the new world venture: “Where
is the outlook nat darker than
; it wis a year ago: The ordinary man
has ceased to place any reliance on
the reassurance of his national lead-
ers. He cannot see the world steadily
- or see it whole, but he can see 1t quite
cnoush to convince him that he lives
in a world that is going to the devil.
“What is this doing 10 mankind
Millions—probably enough millions
wo constitute a majority ol all the
carth’s mhabrtants-—are so sunk in
hunger, homelessness, nakedness, pov-
arty, a brute suuegle Tor mere sure
vival with no expectation ol any al-
. leviation, that they have surrendered
to despatr and apathy. Tale has be-
come for them a compound of lies
and tragedy, and they have become
. quite different regarding what 1s to
happen next, or what their own parts
will be, for they are tast approaching
a ostate of nd in whieh death takes
) on the prospect of a blessed release.
“The scientists keep shouting their
warnings... . But they are themselves
) distressed by the decrcasime effect of
their words. . A dwindling com
pany of determined optimists keep
MAY, 1218
calling for sustained faith in the
United Nations... . There are a few
fools who keep talking up the idea of
a preventive war” which Henry L.
Sumson has called a sort of thinking
that 1s “worse than nonsense.’ |.
The truth 1s that we are all doomed
men—unless something wemendous
happens to give a new direction to
world affairs. Our present course is
cursed with the premonnion of dis-
aster-——and we all know 1t, even il we
will nat admit it to onrselves.
Unless what Delaware called ‘an in-
ternational government, oraanized
and acting in accardance with a
world svsrem of law,” 1s established,
the late ol avilization and of the
majority of mankind 1s sealed. The
road we are now aravelling ends in
the abyss.”
“Svynical Fatalism™
Vernon Nash, writing in the Chris-
flan Century of November 26, 1047,
under the caption “Utopia or Cata-
clvsm,” said: "With increasing clarity
week by week. the United Nations
demonsurates its futility as protec
tion against war. Distllusionment and
pessimism over its performance arc
now general. This mood, unless
checked, 1s hikely to develop into a
synical fatalism. To the unreflective
the import of still another failure
will be that the task itself is impos-
sible. The deadly corollary of hope-
lessness will he all-out support for
nationalistic militarisms. Many are
already saving that since collective
security scems unattainable, our
country has no choice hut to make
itself as impregnable as possible in a
jungle-world. . [s tt humanly pos-
sible to elicit enthusiasm for some-
thing which obviously is fatling?
If it really is wopian to hope that
absolute nadvomalism can be ended
in one consistent and coherent act,
then resign voursell to a cataclysm of
unimaginable fury. The competitive
arms race, unless stopped soon, can
have but one end. There 1s now no
third choice possible: 1t is either the
utopia of world government or the
cataclysm of an atom-germ-poisons
third world war.”"—Pages 1153, 1454.
This is indeed a dark picture, but
it is no darker than that depicted in
Bible prophecy for the very age in
which we live. Jesus, in answer to the
question of the disciples as to what
would be the sign of His coming and
of the end of the world. said: “And
there shall be signs in the sun, and in
the moon, and in the stars: and upon
the earth distress of nations, with
perplexity; the sea and the waves
roaring, men's hearts failing than for
fear, and for looking after those
things which are coming on the earth:
for the powers of heaven shall be
shaken. And then shall they see the
Son of mun coming in a cloud with
power and great glory. And when
these things begin to come to pass,
then look up, and lift up your heads;
for vour redemption draweth nigh.”
Luke 21:25.28.
The prophets of both the Old and
New Testaments picture a dark out
look in the last days of human his-
tory under the reign of sin, but the
uplook is alwavs bright. Isaiah pic
tures hungry and fretful men who
“curse their king and their God,”
and as they “look unto the earth”
they behold nothing but “trouble
and darkness, dimmness of anguish;
and they shall be driven to darkness.”
(Sce Isatah 8:21, 22) This is ever the
result of the carthward look. All
through the ages men have cried
“peace. peace” when “there is ne
peace.” It 1s impossible for wicked
(Please turn to page 18)
By
Taylor G.
Bunch
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