The modern world

Introduction

That the world of to-day is in a chaotic condition, no one will deny.

The writer of “The Modern World” whom we wish to introduce to the readers of these pages has seen and felt the whirl of cir¬ cumstances which tend to make the world what it is to-day,—he has looked about and found the world seeking for redeemers and ex¬ plains in this light the power of fraternal, social and political or¬ ganizations.

He notices in all these efforts to locate a redeemer the tendency to be redeemed without the work of the only God-given Redeemer,— and he realizes that without God and His Christ, this world shall never be what the inhabitants of the world wish it to be.

The writer does not lay any claim to scientific mastery of the ills of the times,—his is not a professional work, but his plain Christian view has been expressed: a layman speaking to laymen, is what this book purports to be. And to his brethren in the same faith and belief, he says: “Let us glorify Christ in this life as long as the opportunity is with us. Let us wait for his coming. Let us look for His coming, for He cometh soon! Let us wait for Him and say: Christ Jesus, Come, come quickly.”

May the publication of this book be a means in the hand of God to awaken within the hearts of the readers a realization of the dangers that beset them on all sides,—may it be a blessing to many and help us to live more in accord with the calling with which we are called,—even tho we might not be in strict accord with every¬ thing the writer has said.

Rochester, N. Y., February 1923

J. Van Zwoll.

.

-

Preface

The following pages contain a plain exposition of the view the writer has upon “The Modern World.” The writer is not hampered by a much desired and highly valued education.—Although believing education a high priced asset, yet he feels that such an asset is very liable and apt to obscure a plain view, or discolor the view after critical examination.

In writing on such a broad topic as “The Modern World” the fact stands out clearly that—an unobstructed view is of much more importance than “a mere education,” still it must be readily admitted that “a clear view” alone, without any education (self-instructed or pedantic) could not bring forth good results either, for education must be the instrument of bringing the view before the attention of others.

The writer deems it prudent to make the above remarks, re¬ membering that EDUCATION is a “BOAZ” of the Modern World.

Since writing the manuscript of this book nearly two years passed before it landed in the hands of the publisher. This will be clear to the casual observer, who, perhaps will reflect upon the strange absence of latter days affairs and happenings in the religious and political worlds which have set the world agog. For instance, nothing or very little has been said about the so much discussed Washington Peace Parley. To fill in, let me state here that the much talked of Federated Churches of Christ in America, at that time declared it a gracious act, thanking God for it and for the con¬ templated destruction of America’s warships, while at the end of the very same year these churches blamed Uncle Sam for not sending the WAR SHI'PS to the Dardenelles to chastise the Turks for the burning of Smyrna by the fleeing Greek army. As the lapse of one year proves, this so-called “Peace Parley” was in fact nothing but a secret unamerican attempt to unite America, in spite of herself, with the War Lords of Europe, to accomplish the secret wishes of the uncontrollable forces of the unrighteous God Mammon.

As the reader beholds by reading the observations of the writer, he. or she, will realize that the writer depicts not alone the world, as he sees it, but that he also describes the church as she appears to him. The reasons are deductable from the fact that the Modern World could not possibly be what it is if it was not true that the Church, as the mother of wisdom, had carried the world to the pinnacle of its lustrous passing glory. That the writer speaks more explicitly about a particular church denomination illustrates his iden¬ tification with it, and proves to the doubters the truth of his asser¬ tions, assuring them as well as others that he laments and bewails the conditions of said and of other denominations, of which he knows that they also are upon the broad pathway of apostacy.

The reader by persuing these pages shall find that the writer did not lay down his pen when he depicted the ultimate and consequent culmination of this most wondrous Modern World with its golden glitter so ignominious sinking in selfwrought and selfsought utter ruin. Assuredly be himself would be a picture of gloom and utter hopelesness if he was not able to gladden the hearts of men by un¬ folding a more truer and more glorious sight. Yes, and it is with holy rapture mingled with unutterable joy that his closing chapter refers to The Holy City of God, The New Jerusalem, such as was given the apostle John to behold, superseding the Modern World.

That the Christ who came to redeem sinners may grant the reader the so much needed light to flee the many temptations of the conspicuous Modern World and seek with Abraham the heavenly city, whose master builder is God, and that the plain words spoken in these pages may help to that effect is the wish and prayer of the writer.

Chicago, Ill., February 1923

J. H. Hoekstra.

CONTENTS:

Chapter I. The Modern World Page 9

III. A World filled with Incomprehensible Ideas “ 20

IV. A Very Materialistic World. “ 24

V. A Very Pious World. “ 29

VI. The Sleeping Church. “ 34

VII. A Very Learned World. “ 49

VIII. A World with a Dual God. “ 56

IX. The World ruled by God Mammon. • 58

X. The World to-day in Political and Social Chaos 63

XI. The World, to -morrow, ruled by Bolsheviki. 74

XII. The World Seeking a Redeemer “ 81

XIII. Many Redeemers “ 84

XIV. The Most Promising Redeemer,Secret Societies 95

XV. The Anti-Christ. 103

XVI. Persecution. " 116

“ XVII. The Yellow Danger. “ 119

XVIII. The Stone cut out without Hands. “ 124

XIX. The New Jerusalem. “ 129

-

*

.

CHAPTER ONE. The Modern World

To give a more or less accurate description of the Modern W orld, and impart a fair idea of its origin, its existance, its ten¬ dencies, its glowing aspect, its demeanor, and its intentions, the writer has tried to bring to the intelligence of the reader. In how far he has succeeded, the reader will judge, although kind consideration is asked for the fact that the topic is a very broad one, looked upon from the various different angles, and especially one thing should never be lost sight of, the fact that the writer was guided by plain bible-truth.

To grasp the importance of the glittering modern world it will be necessary to find the cause that directed it to its present high estate.

This statement is effective of granting a period of a lesser magnitude, or rather; of a degree considered not so exalted as the level at which we find it.

Estimating this to be so; it behooves us to reason out why the modern world is so much different than preceding worlds.

The main cause that guided the modern world to its almost incomprehensible glory is civilization. Civilization, as the word implies, signifies illumination, comprehension and understanding. These in connection and in combination with intelligence bring forth culture, refinement and the power of using the gathered knowl¬ edge.

Satisfied to have found the right definition of the word “civiliza¬ tion,” the question is not unreasonable: “what is this particular knowledge ?”

An Atheist may not believe in God, still he cannot deny the fact that this “particular knowledge,” is the knowledge of the True God. The God Who created the world and upholds it to the glory of His Name.

Granting the knowledge of God to be the foundation of civiliza¬ tion, may not a contender reasonably ask: Were not.the Grecians even more civilized than the present modern world, although they never heard of a God?

A person asking such should remember. First: the civilization of the Grecians was a heathen civilization consisting of heathen philosophy centering in religion, and surely of a higher order than of other heathen nations. Their religious civilization delighted in erect¬ ing beautiful temples bountifully supplied with fancy images. Secondly (and perhaps even more accurately) they had saved a more pure understanding - of the true God, So we find that even bv the heathen Greeks “the knowledge of the true God” was base and foundation upon which they had reared their polytheistic worship, and their consequent architecture, and their civilization in general. Again, some one might inquire, How is it that the children of Israel did not attain to such an outward glory of civilization, although they understood the God of heaven and earth better than any other people, the Grecians included? We may answer that Israel was consecrated by God to show forth His spiritual majesty and glory more than God’s greatness in materialism, and had Israel been true, no doubt her outward civilization would have overshadowed the vain glory of the Greeks, being immensely more real and more perfect, and the difference between civilization and civilization would have been a topic of much discussion even to-day.

A glance in the history of the ages convinces us that a more or less clear conception of the true living God is the foundation of civilization. Accepting this as an undeniable principle, shall we now believe and maintain that modern civilization in all of its various phrases and pretentions is indeed the very thing desired by God ?

For the present we shall not answer this question, as it is bound to appear in our further deliberation, but let us grant that civilization is a consequence of a more or less true conception of God, as is shown above, for surely, Christ Jesus who is the essence of civiliza¬ tion has laid in the gospel the power which was instrumental to turn the whole of the heathen world into the world of civilized Chris¬ tianity as it is today, even the so-called “dark ages” being witness that it was after all the gospel which guided the world on toward its course to lofty mountains of glory. The more the pure gospel was preached, the more light broke forth, and when the wonderful reformation had illuminated the world, the brightness of the light shone abundantly in the consequent civilization, which after that date took hold of all peoples, the one partaking more of the spreading lustre than the other.

Thus far we stood still by the cause of civilization which we con¬ sider responsible for “The Modern World.” We shall now scrutinize more particularly this very modern world.

The “Index" places us before seventeen different viewpoints from which we shall behold this wondrous modern world, although the idea itself, as understood in the phrase—is worthy to be depicted in a simplified account by itself.

What Is The Modern World?

From what has been said it is plain that neither the Jewish nor the Grecian nation nor other peoples of the past ages are considered to be “the modern world,” and thereby the fact is established that the “modern world” is the world of to-day. And, what a world, what a world! Imagine the unheard of, fabulous, immense, colossal and incomprehensible fortunes and treasures heaped up and gathered together into the possession of a few shrewd men.

Behold the vast kingdoms of the world scraping the bloom of men, the flower of wealth, the golden dew of the earth, the glory and power of the air together, firing it in behalf of the so much coveted greatness and stability of mankind.

Let your eyes wander over the great magnificent waters, con¬ template upon the wondrous ships, the leviathans of the oceans, that plow through the tumultuous billows binding country upon country. Marvel at the monstrous sea-castles intended to string the entire earth, the countries and the isles thereof, as so many pearls into one necklace hanging it upon the breast of the great, the wonderful, the coming powerful human being. Glance at those majestic sea-castles, glare and stare at the inhuman seamonsters dwelling at the roots of the mountains planted in the waters, unexpectedly and unobservedly opening their brazen mouths bulging forth hell and murder, splitting the leviathans, destroying them, their puny occupants and their un¬ real glory. Look at the so unseemly and yet so magnificent airships. How wonderful! Behold them gliding through the air, wandering through the heavens, losing themselves in the ether, trying to break through the “appealing'’ embracing our abode. See them hovering as giant birds over city, river and hamlet, shining in the lustrous light of a summer sun. O how glorious, and yet. and yet how dread¬ ful! No protection from them, no protection from these wonderful foes of mankind, more valuable as “life destroyers,” than as sus¬ tained of this precious gift of God. Mark the possibilities of a few of these wonderful wrought machines, hovering in the air in time of war.

Perceive the beautiful railroad trains gliding along their path¬ way of steel, crossing rivers, scanning gulches, thundering through tunnels, sweeping along prairies, winding about hills, piercing aged woodlands, running swiftly toward their destination, connecting city with city, town with town, hamlet with hamlet, in order that men might easily, swiftly and comparatively safely, travel from one end of the land to its utmost extremity.

Do you want to catch another glimpse of civilization? Stand at a corner of our metropolitan cities. Listen to the deafening roar of the shrieking Ally L cars running above you. Watch the noisy streetcars moving at your side. See the impossible auto trucks blocking and choking the avenues of transportation.. Count the innumerable automobiles of every and any make passing noiselessly by you tooting and honking for their right of way.

Contemplate at evening tide the wondrous invention of the elec¬ tric light system, illuminating the gracipus boulevards, recreating dark night into the light of a fair summer day. Wonder at the immense skyscrapers, whose windows at evening look like so many diamonds glittering in sunlight. If you have seen enough of that.

rest out in your home or hotel and unhook an instrument and have a conversation with an unseen friend miles away from the place where you pour happy words into his or her attentive ear. Further¬ more mark the marvelous connection wireless telegraphy makes with a sailing loved one upon the broad expanse of the briny deep - , but above all listen to the gracious voices in the air, the sound of piano and harp mingled with the sweet melody of cithern and violin played in a far away castle of music and heard by you at your table at home at the Radio-horn. Look at the factories, at the banks, at the churches, at the parks, the beautiful highways, the subways, the palaces, the waterworks, the delicate machinery, the powerful en¬ gines, and remember that God created man wonderfully, investing him with powers fainly realized, powers which he uses more as means of self-destruction than as a might to strengthen and upbuild mankind for its own benefit and the glory of its Creator. Allow me to remark here that man has imagined and declared himself to be the originator of these magnificent powers which he sees fit to apply to his own vain glory.

That the latter statement is based upon un-impeachable truth is evidenced by the modern world itself. For instance, behold the upheaping of capital into the hands of the few. What a foresight, what a willpower, what a concentration of thought, what a a Herculian,” strength is shown in the gathering of these unspeakable fortunes. But is this “massing” used to influence the entire race of man to strive for a higher idealism, a nobler conception of life? In¬ deed not" Even these plutocrats and multi-millionaires do not reap a semblance of honor, love or virtue from this unreasonable gather¬ ing of the good things of the earth which God intended for mankind, and not for the few, the few who bereave their brethren of the need¬ ful things of life, allowing them a bare and pitiful existence. Capitalism can not work any different, for it stands to reason if the few gather all things together, the multitude must suffer. This suffering, yea this unspeakable suffering, being endured by a large class who are not able to feed their babes properly or to give their children a decent education, who die in their reeking tenement houses, “and no one knows it.” That unwarranted poverty is a calamity due to the unwise gathering of riches at which the govern¬ ments hoodwink claiming the glory of a Christian civilization!

Thus we have a partial and faint glimmer of the modern world. In the following pages much more shall be said regarding this fair and at the same time so ugly and cruel world.

The first thing to be considered is: “The Modern World, a Dogma-less World.”

Chapter Two

Thou laziest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Psalm 52:3.

The fool hath said in his heart. There is no Cod. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity, there is none that docth good. God looked from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek Cod.

Every one of them is gone back; they arc altogether become filthy; there is none that docth good, no not one. Psalm S3:1, 2, 3.

For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. Isaiah 28:20.

Her princes in the midst thereof arc like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. Ezekiel 22:27.

Briefly we shall now view the world from the following three aspects: The Political World, The Intellectual World, and the Re¬ ligious World. The political world is purposely named first-; we shall discuss its existence and aim, then consider the intellectual world, and follow this with a short observation of the religious world, believing thus to climb from the lowest to the highest sphere

The existence of the political world to-day is very complicated, wrought with danger, and therefore untenable. The affairs of the world, politically, have always been more or less complicated. The strategy of political economy thro out the ages lias aimed at the political ruin of the weaker by the stronger, unless political reasons required protection of the weaker one, in which case the smaller one usually has been used as a buffer against a possible strong enemy.

The great Christian w T ar, yet raging in spots, has perfectly re¬ vealed this situation. Valiant and small Belgium, a protege of both England and France, withstood with their help the onslaught of the Germans long enough to enable the Allies to strengthen themselves and to prevent the Germans to take Paris.

Politics, as is known by the most ignorant, is conceived in secret. Anybody may boast of being a power to change conditions, and arrange “open covenants openly arrived athistory has always proved the impossibility of such a grand scheme, and always we shall find kings, potentates, czars, kaisers and presidents acting un¬ der the cover of darkness and secrecy. Such dubious utterances are intended to mislead the unawares, the population, and perhaps self.

for indeed politics has as yet never shown an inclination to be really truthful to the core. A true-bred Christian may teach his children that “political economy” consists in: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God;” politics harmonizes with exactly the opposite idea. 1 his “secrecy in politics” is the more destructive, as it is directed by “special interest” working in secret, and this is the very power which degenerates the world into what it is to-day, a place not in the least comfortable, but a great volcano which at any moment may bulge forth the unciuenchable fire, stored away in her bosom.

Secret diplomacy, in the name of your high sounding “political economy” is responsible for the League of Nations, the initial stones of her existence being laid as a foundation in our so strange and uncommon days of unrest and a feverish looking at the gloomy bodings of the coming morning.

The League of Nations has always been in force more or less, standing out as “alliances and covenants” among a few nations. Now this idea of covenant is extended to all, or most all civilized countries. Internationalism, a mere change of name, is above any¬ thing else first a peaceable and friendly exchange of the necessaries and commodities of life, and is always liable, the great war being witness, “of ensnaring and involving the nations among themselves in evil desires and evil intentions, fostered by covetness and jealousy causing the building of great navies and armies, both excused as “in¬ struments for protection of commerce.” Those navies and armies, never created for friendly purposes, are the unholy cause of much agitation, fear, unrest, producing the dangerous situation which ultimately reaches a state of instability.

The foregoing explanation of the “existence” of the political world reveals more or less clearly the secret inclination of this world to RULE. Ruling is her AIM. The League of Nations in its coming power will show not only the political, but also the religous power handled by ONE MAN, as the Supreme Ruler. The various powers to-day in operation are all directed to that end. A single glance in the religious world detects the “Inter Church Move¬ ment.” Hie financial world sees capital heaped up. The Federation of Labor proves the theory. The gigantic trusts, the titanic monopo¬ lies in the commercial world are the guides on the road. The desire to rule, in the future concentrated in one man is the “dogma” of the political world. This dogma, almost anybody will realize it, is a false dogma, The falsity of this dogma is illustrated in our own being, and in the nationalities of the different peoples. Every man is originally purposed to think, speak and act for himself. Com¬ paratively few do so, and these few are the “I’s” and “IT’S” of the world, the lords and masters who enslaven others, who also were meant to be an “I” and a “IT.”

If this is true with the individual, and it is true, it is just as true with the peoples. They are destined to rule themselves, therefore the Englishman sings “God save the King.” Grand America “My Country ’tis of Thee.” The Dutchman: “Wien Neerlandsch bloed.” etc., etc. Melt them into one, and who shall sing any one of these purely national hymns ?

But there are other reasons more potent than the ones men¬ tioned, which we shall discuss when we view our subject from the religious standpoint.

First we consider the “dogma lessness’ of the intellectual world.

The intellectual world includes within its boundaries various worlds and activities. It is not necessary to enumerate them all, it will suffice to name one, and perhaps this is the one with the most grandeur, and therefore we shall meditate for a moment upon this world with an honest intent to expose its dogma.

The commercial world, the world alluded to above might easily be considered the queen of the worlds, if I am allowed to ex¬ press it in such a term. This world, the world of trade, has always been, and shall be as long as the world stands, the main artery feed¬ ing individual and national life.

The much heralded and boasted of civilization with its colossal schemes and multiplied inventions, developed comfort of living on the one side, and a new process of manufacturing on the other. Engine on engine, machine on machine produces immense quantities of trading articles calculated, in the main, to gather riches, at the same time, in a certain measure, relieving and distressing the work¬ ingman. Capitalism was the evil result of bright thoughts. This unwholesomeness unloosened evil spirits producing unscrupulous men, who in their turn used the same caliber of men to influence the different branches of government desiring legislation in their behalf. As a result of too much attention bestowed upon such influences, the government and the civil authorities soon felt themselves handi¬ capped in the fulfilling of their sworn duties.

This naturally allowed undue protection to the few at the ex¬ pense of the multitude. At this moment, almost any one realizes that conditions are such that these few, as a secret government, have now complete control of the complicated machinery of government. This “power," in our Christless Christianity, easily could persuade the governments to convert their pruninghooks into swords, inducing America, under guise of “righteousness,” to plunge itself into this wicked caldron of hatred burning of a consuming fire. To-day this very same secret power is seeking to entice the different govern¬ ments to unite into one supreme empire lessening thereby the danger of losing their ill gotten fortunes. The League of Nations, which shall be the ultimate outcome of their scheming is introduced by them as a kingdom of peace and righteousness, which heavenly vir¬ tues one man shall establish and guide, the “secret power" having learned that one man is more easily handled than a company of men with various inclinations, the secret power also realizing that if one of the covenanters repudiates its financial obligations, which, of course, rest in the hands of the secret power, another country will and can be made to produce what the other refused.

The statement has been made that inventions were intended to make the earth a worth-while place of abode. This is worthy of a little closer examination. In the main it looks indeed as if the state¬ ment is correct, and no doubt there is some truth in it, but it is not true in its nature. Certainly many of the minor things are indeed happy and agreeable inventions, for instance, the rocking chairs, the dressers, tables, chairs and nearly all kitchen utensils and household articles. Electricity, telegraph, telephone, streetcars, railroads, automobiles, etc., could be classified in the same catagory, but re¬ move the outward appearance and scrutinize the underlying strata, and we find a tendency in exactly opposite directions. For, behold the gracious auto and the other inventions. How pleasant in times of peace, but remember the things that happened only a few years ago when peace had made plhce for war, how the government laid its heavy hand upon all these beautiful instruments, momently trans¬ ferring them into means of destroying, directly or indirectly, Godcreated life.

In this brief sketch of a partial view of the commercial world two underlying dogma’s are shown. The first outstanding idea found was the fact, that the rich, “special interest” had a secret control over government itself. Now, government is the manifesta¬ tion of God’s power vested in human beings ruling in His name. In a republican form of government this, God’s power is represented in the election of a people’s representative to the Presidency. This is a dogma of a republic. Behold now this dogma uprooted by the actions of special interests, subverting the modern world into a dogma-less world.

What this unworthy, principleless organization has accom¬ plished in America, it has duplicated in kingly ruled Europe. The autocratic influence of democratic England, has stretched its culprit hands across the sea to be strengthened and has subdued by secret diplomacy our people, and with the strength of our people combined with their cunning has smashed, under holy pretences, mighty king¬ doms and flourishing empires across the waters.

This shows that commerce guided by its God (Mammon) is absolutely dogma-less in regard to God Law or Government.

Another point which should be mentioned is the idea, more or less clearly defined ; that the great improvements, and the wonderful inventions are in essence, in its ultimate ends rather used to bring misery to the people and depopulate the world, than to make its inhabitants happy and content, as they are advertised to do.—

1 his again illustrates the fact that the modern world is a false theorist, rocking itself to sleep in selfsufficiency,—defrauding its own out of peace, rest and beauty.

i he modern world in all its glory is not unlike an old ugly woman in fancy young ladies’ garb perceiving herself in the mirror lisping: ‘‘Ain’t 1 a beauty tho?”

Surely many more cases of dogmalessness of the modern world might be enumerated, but at this time, I feel enough has been said to bear out the truth, a few words must be added regarding the situation in the religious world.

If any religious minded man on a sabbath day traveled from coast to coast and could wander in the streets of the cities he would be surprised to see how few of the numerous population made efforts to attend services in one of the many churches. The majority of Americans, although called Christians, have no religion whatsoever, and the religion they show is a sad and unsatisfying ambition, to seek pleasure. This “pleasure seeking” is shrewdly expressed in the wonderful civilized term “re-creation.” It is the auto, baseball, fishing-tackle, bathing, swimming and yachting, pleasures, “recrea¬ tions” according to circumstances for which the majority is hanker¬ ing-

Man is born religious, there is no exception to the rule, true religion is seeking God, any other religion is merely seeking self. Therefore the pleasure-seekers are seeking self instead of God, Who said : “Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.”