The great evil and its remedy...

Front matter

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Introduction

This little book lias a history. Its author, Rev. Samuel W. Cope, is a superannuated member of the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. For a couple of years he has been almost totally blind, able to read only with difficulty and pain. Under such circumstances has the subject-matter so impressed the author that the volume grew under his pen. Not content with a single writing, he has rewritten the whole as his last testimony to the Church on a vital subject. A favorite theme when his health permitted him to preach, he avails himself of remaining sight and strength, as he nears threescore and ten, to write what he can no longer hope to preach. He is unwilling to remain idle, and his desire for usefulness overcomes his disabilities.

His own history illustrates the principles which he teaches. The frequent references to his devout parents will impress the reader most favorably. Their fidelity made it possible for him to serve the Church so long and well, and through him they, being dead, yet speak. He has sought to enforce the same teachings in his own home.

The present writer gratefully remembers the author as his first pastor, under whose ministry he became a member of the Church, and is glad to be permitted to write these few lines of introduction to this volume from his pen in his old age.

The teachings of this book are wholesome, and are in

Introduction.

accord with the Book. Parental fidelity is the safeguard alike of the home and the nation. There are laws of the moral harvest no less than of the material harvest: " Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." A gracious and constant providence rewards fidelity in whatever sphere, and nowhere more than in the faithful training of children. Especially important here is an abundant sowing, for he that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, but he that soweth abundantly shall reap also abundantly. The unwelcome work of replanting is frequently necessary to a successful harvest in the realm of grace no less than in that of nature. Then soil must be thoroughly taken with the good seed if we would keep out the tares. The suggestions as to how to perform the duties incumbent upon parents will be gladly received by all devout readers of this volume. E. K. Hendrix.

Kansas City, Mo., April 2, 1889.

Part Third.— Miscellaneous. Chapter I. p ArK

Chapter II.

Obedience in Children 137

Chapter III.

The Sunday Lock and Key 144

Chapter IV.

The Apron-string of Mothers 148

Chapter V.

On Joining the Church When Young 152

Chapter VI.

Moral and Legal Eights 155

CHAPTER I. The Key to Our Subject

Jerusalem, the capital of Judea, the once populous and prosperous city of the Jews> now lies in ruins. Living converts and numerous proselytes crowded the gates of Zion in the days of her prosperity. The Holy One of Israel was in the midst of her. The Lord, blessed and honored his Church. She was then, as now, the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Jerusalem, the holy city, once the place and defense of the temple and of the worship of almighty God, is now forsaken by him and abandoned to the will and ravages of the enemies of his people. The time of her overthrow has come, and "there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." There is no eye to pity nor arm to save.

Jerusalem, which in the days of David and Solomon " was the metropolis of the whole Jewish kingdom " and the princess of the then surrounding nations, and from whom she received large tribute, is now herself in bondage " to a foreign and heathen conqueror." Her glory has departed, and she is

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shorn of her strength and beauty. She sits and weeps like a widow, " solitary on the ground, girded in sackcloth." She mourns in her sadness and deep grief, realizing her helpless and hopeless condition. She is without support, consolation, or defense. " How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!"

Jerusalem, in contrast with the other and the surrounding nations, as the fine gold in comparison with the other and the baser metals, is thus lamented by the prophet: "How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed ! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street! '

The whole land of Judea, once a holy land, is now joolluted and overshadowed by dark clouds of a portentous character; and the chosen people of God, once a holy nation, but now defiled by sin, with none to defend or comfort them, are led captive, as some suppose en masse, to a strange land, even unto Babylon. "Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude : she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits." The judgments of God have overtaken a disobedient and rebellious nation, and for long,

The Key to Our Subject. 13

weary years they are in bondage and servitude to their adversaries. Their affliction and consequent wretchedness and ruin are beyond the power of human language to express. Neither tongue nor pen can describe the dreadful calamities which have come upon them. God only can fathom their sorrow. They have sinned, and behold their sins have found them out. " Murder will out," and so of all other sins. The rule holds good alike with individuals and nations. On this subject we quote the language of the Master to his disciples : " For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed ; and hid, that shall not be known." The law of God cannot be violated with impunity; the infliction of the penalty is sure to follow in every case of disobedience. " Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?" So he that sinneth, whether against God or man, must suffer the consequence of his transgressions. There is no possibility or way of escape.

To sin, however secretly, in the belief that no harm will come of it, is a delusion and snare of the devil. Many are misled and ensnared in this way, in the loss of their health, their wealth, their lives, and their souls. Beware of sin! Solomon says: " Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter : Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." It is written, again: "As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of him« self to God."

The facts I have given, not to pursue the subject further, show something of the nature, workings, and consequences of sin, both to individuals and nations, here and hereafter. Nations having no existence in the hereafter receive the full punishment for their sins in this life.

Sin is a great evil, and in this fact is found the key to our subject. I shall have to do in this little treatise not so much with the problem of evil as such as with the evil itself as I find it in the world. Each and every sin is an evil, and for this reason all sin should be avoided as a deadly poison. Parents who neglect the moral and religious training of their children are guilty of one of the greatest evils of which we have any knowledge. And this is the class and manner of evil about which we are specially concerned in this writing.

CHAPTER II, A Scene of Death by Starvation

Connected with the facts and wonderful events recorded in the first chapter is a scene of actual death by starvation of multiplied hundreds and thousands. Immediately prior to the desolation of the Holy Land, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the captivity of which I have spoken, a raging famine spreads its withering, blighting curses over the already doomed city. With this famine there came pestilence, and preceding these there was war and bloodshed in the land, with great distress and trouble. Calamities of almost every shape have come upon the city and the surrounding country. The famine rages with continued and increased violence, until great multitudes are slain as men fall on the battle-field. They are seen lying in heaps, with no one to pity or bury them. The strong men, the helpless women, and the innocent children perish together. It is literally true, as expressed by the prophet Jeremiah : " The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst : the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them." Surely a death like this is more terrible than when it conies in the ordinary way. Death under the most favorable circumstances brings with it sorrow and sadness of heart, with pain and grief of mind — a grief " which none but he who feels it knows." Flowing tears and the sympathy of friends bring some relief, but only the presence and grace of God can calm the tide of bereavement and keep the head above the billowy waves. Much more do we need the promises of the gospel and the consolations of religion, standing iu the midst of the ravages of death from starvation. If the members of my family and my neighbor must die, and I must witness the scene, let it not be for the lack of bread, but in the more natural and ordinary way — by sickness, casualty, and other common and familiar agents less terrible than war, pestilence, and famine. And when I am to die give me in preference to die at home, surrounded by family and sympathizing friends, and the attending, skillful physician to mitigate my sufferings in the dying hour.

To die of starvation is certainly a grievous death, miserable, wretched, calamitous — doubly so when helpless women and innocent children are its victims. Sad indeed is the sight of a mother languishing, fainting, dying for the want of food. In this condition she cannot nurse and nourish the infant at her breast, and it too must die. " The tongue of

A Scene of Death by Starvation. 17

the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of its mouth for thirst." The father, in a like condition of starvation with the mother, turns a deaf ear to the cry of his children for something to eat. " The young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them." No man — no, not their own father; even he fails them in the dying hour. This is a deplorable condition of things, but there is no help for it. These parents are not unnatural, not wanting in love and good will toward their children, but in the ability to save either themselves or their children. I have never witnessed a scene of death from starvation, and pray God that I may never behold such a sight. It seems next to impossible that there should ever be a famine in this country, a land so fruitful and so vast and varied in its resources. If any one should prophesy of a coming famine in North America, he would be considered as beside himself, a fanatic. I am not a prophet, and do not prophesy, but I profess to have fears for my country, for the prosperity and safety of the nation. War, famine, and pestilence are the natural and inevitable consequences of incorrigible wickedness in a nation. Many and grievous are the sins of this nation. The signs of the times are ominous. Threatening dangers are ahead. Men in high places and in low places are eager to get rich, covetous, lovers of money and of pleasure more than 2 lovers of God. Again, many are ambitious of place and power, not for the glory of God in their own good and the good of others. This were well enough. But they are self-seekers, securing their own personal ends, together with the selfish and wicked purposes of their special friends. Oftentimes their traitorous plots work great mischief. There are frauds, bribery, and other corruptions in political circles, and in State and National affairs. The greatest criminals w r e have are in high places — men w T ho are in the market to be bought and sold, who stand ready to sacrifice morals, religion, every thing for gain of wealth, of power, of honor, and for perpetuity in office. I am glad to know that there are some honorable and worthy exceptions.

The conflict between capital and labor is a cause of great alarm. These, who ought to be fast friends, are the worst of enemies. In this conflict we find antagonizing elements and despotic forces which threaten the security, prosperity, and happiness of the whole country. In this state of things there is great danger of anarchy in its worst forms. The end is not yet.

There are also others, mostly of foreign birth, who evidently desire and are seeking to subvert our civil government. Open threats have already been made. True they are as yet few in numbers, and

A Scene of Death by Starvation. 19

there is no cause of immediate danger. But the most dreadful things may be developed from this source in the future. I think it right at this time, and the least that I can do, to sound the note of alarm. With these surroundings, and in the face of these facts, some are found who are indifferenr, and others will even laugh at such suggestions of danger. But while they do so the leaven is at work, and the calamities are coming on with all their direful consequences. Only God can avert or prevent them.

I mention in this connection the whisky traffic. The manufacture, sale, and use of intoxicants as a beverage are among the most open and powerful enemies of mankind.

And the next great evil along this line is the use of tobacco as a needless self-indulgence. This is a crafty, subtle adversary. Considered so generally as innocent, it is the more dangerous. These two evils are a blighting curse upon our civil and religious institutions and liberties. They endanger the prosperity and happiness both of individuals and the country. They tend alike, each in its own way and measure, to poverty and disgrace. The husband and father who uses whisky and tobacco is sure in the end to bring a famine of bread to his wife and children. This, at least, is the legitimate result of his wicked habits. In this country to-day, and for these reasons, thousands of families would actually die of starvation but for the timely and benevolent help they receive from others. Their kindred, their neighbors, and the Church bring to them the necessary supplies. Unless the whisky rule is broken, and the present prevalent use of tobacco abandoned, there shall come increased and terrible sufferings in the land. I am not a fanatic on these questions, but I do say that whisky and tobacco are subversive of natural and moral rights, of civil and religious liberty. When whisky shall have been abolished from the nation, then shall the eyes of the people be opened to see what a great curse tobacco is, in its direful consequences not only to those who use it, but to their children's children. Tobacco as an evil will be hard to overcome, and as an enemy difficult to conquer. It has already great numbers and great wealth, and is strongly fortified by self-indulgence, the plea of innocence, and the popular sentiment of the people. The war with tobacco is likely to be as long and as fierce as the present conflict with the whisky traffic. But victory will turn on the side of right in the end.

Another ground of fear is the desecration of the holy Sabbath, commonly called Sunday. To say that we are a nation of Sabbath-breakers is not putting the question in too strong a light. It is sim-

A -Scene of Death by Starvation. 21

ply the statement of a fact that it is not wise in us to ignore or to esteem lightly, To break the Sabhath habitually and of set purpose is a crime of enormous guilt, whether this be done by individuals or by corporations. There is lio greater crime, not even excepting that of murder. There is no law of God more sacred or more binding than the law of the Sabbath. To violate this law, consequently, is the greatest offense against God; and no sin is more certain to call down the judgments of God upon a people. It is prolific of all manner of evil. A very large percentage of criminals of all classes come to prison and to death, directly or indirectly, from Sabbath-breaking.

This is a dark but not an overwrought picture, and constitutes the chief ground of our fears. In these surroundings is found just cause for alarm. There is no help but in God; the arm of man is too short and weak to bring deliverance. But while this is true, let no one mistake as to his or her duty, God has ordained to work through human agents. In no other way can his purposes be accomplished in the earth. Parents may do much in the interest of their children. Any good man or woman may be helpful in God's work. To work for God is a Christian duty.

CHAPTER III. The Similitude

The scene of death from starvation at Jerusalem, as given in the preceding chapter, strikingly illustrates the moral and religious condition of many parents and children in the world, even within the bounds of Christendom. It is for this purpose that I have given it. These multitudes languish, faint, and die for lack of the bread of life.

If the bare recital of physical suffering and death produces in us great pain of mind and grief of heart, much more should we be moved by a scene of moral and religious destitution and suffering which destroys souls in greater numbers, and by a more grievous death.

Look upon the one scene, and then upon the other. If the first awakens all the sympathies of the human heart, much more should the latter arouse the moral sensibilities and spiritual sympathies of the soul. It is surprising how many of our race are morally dead ; how few who know the living and true God. Ignorance of God is found in all lands, and among all kindreds and tongues of people. (22)

The Similitude. 23

To be convinced of this you have only to lift up your eyes and look abroad upon the face of the moral and religious world around you. Look near by, and then look far away ; and both at home and abroad you will behold the most painful destitution and moral degradation and suffering. Millions of our race are living and dying in the midst of the darkness, superstitions, and wretchedness of paganism. As we contemplate their moral and religious condition we are again constrained to say: " The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them." Behold the scene, and let the sight of your eyes affect your heart. Contemplate the facts, and be moved by them. How deplorable the condition of a hungry, starving soul ! There are hundreds and thousands of such who die annually; and where this state of things is found in Christian lands their condition is the more to be deplored. How much better off are many in this country than the poor heathen for whom we profess so much sympathy, and yet for whose enlightenment and salvation we do comparatively so little? I answer: Not a whit! Some of the most morally destitute and incorrigible sinners of this country are found living under the very shadow of our churches. Not that the Bible is false, religion untrue, or the gospel a faillire. No, not that; for these are gloriously and immutably true— the grandest of all realities, Human enterprises and efforts may fail, and often do; but the enterprises and work of God never fail. These go forward to a sure and successful completion. The offer and possibility of salvation are made to every man. Where men are found unsaved the fault is in them, and not because of any defect or inefficiency in the gospel. The willful rejection of offered mercy is the only reason that any sinner should remain unsaved. And besides this, let it be remembered that we owe to the Bible and gospel our Christian civilization, our national peace, safety, and prosperity, and whatever else that tends to human happiness and to the elevation of mankind. But despising and rejecting the word and gospel of God, as many do, they are left in moral blindness, ignorance, and superstition. The grace of God is largely lost upon them in their personal, social, and national relations and interests. The children suffer with their parents in vice, degradation, and moral ruin. Loosed from their proper moorings, they drift away into the drinking-saloon, pleasure-dance, skating-rink, theater, opera, circus, gambling-dens, and into other and nameless places of prostitution, where all manner of lewdness and sinful indulgences are practiced. These are so many places and methods of the devil's own choos-

The Similitude. 25

ing to lead men, women, and children down to death and hell! In this way hundreds and thousands are annually ensnared and destroyed. Young men and maidens are more inclined and exposed to many of these vices than others who are older and more settled in character and life. Consequently they need stronger restraints, and to be more strictly guarded than others. It is unfortunate for the children when parental love, authority, and fidelity are found on the Wrong side of these questions. No one is safe outside of the fortifications of divine wisdom, love, and power. Without the mercy and grace of God all is lost. These are the only safeguards to the rising generation. Many parents seem slow to learn these facts, and still slower to act upon them. Again I ask: What is the difference between heathenism in this country and in foreign lands? The similitude is apparent even to the casual observer. There are places, parties, and associations in this Christian land of ours (and I have mentioned some of them) where the grossest idolatry exists. No greater abominations are committed among the heathen abroad. Here God is blasphemed, Jesus Christ is despised and set at naught, and the Christian religion spurned as a delusion. Many, even in early life, become so fortified in sin as to be impervious to the truths of the gospel, unmoved alike by the Spirit of God and the entreaties of men. They seem greedy of their own destruction, and rejoice in the downfall of others. They make it their business to destroy good wherever it is found. Solomon says, " One sinner destroyeth much good ; " but it is when sinners unite that they exert their greatest power for evil. This state of idolatry in Christian lands serves to show the power of sin, and that some persons will do wickedly in spite of God and all that is good.

Man is free to choose between holiness and sin, good and evil, right and wrong, light and darkness, life and death, heaven and hell; and according to his choice so shall it be unto him. Those who do not know and worship the true God are heathen, no matter in what country they live. In a Christian country they are such of choice. Man as a moral agent determines his own character, life, and destiny. Parents choose for their children while they are minors. That they may choose wisely in all things, they need the wisdom and grace of God. Thus assisted they shall not fail.

CHAPTER IV. The State of the Heathen

I have already noted some facts upon this subject, but would seek further information, some additional light, and knowledge. If the reader please, we will now take a tour of observation through foreign countries, that we may learn by personal contact with them the true state of the heathen. We will go first to Japan, thence to China, India, Burmah, and Hindoostan, in Asia. From Asia we will pass through Europe on our way to Africa, visiting specially the interior and western portions of the Dark Continent. Next we will visit the principal islands of the sea, and from the South Sea islands we will go to South America. From thence we will return to our Christian hemes in our own native land. In this tour we shall find multiplied millions of human beings who have never heard the name of Jesus, and who are without the Bible, the gospel, and a knowledge of the true God. They are pagan worshipers, wretched though earnest devotees, who bow down to and worship stocks and stones, the workmanship of their own hands. Thev deify reptiles, fishes of the

28 The Great Evil and Its Itemed sea, and birds of the air. They pa}* adoration to the sun, the moon, and the stars, Nearly every living creature, and many inanimate things, real and imaginary, are deified and worshiped by these idolatrous kindreds, tongues, and people. Pagans are known throughout the world by the multiplicity of their gods. They are numbered by hundreds of millions, if not by tecs of hundreds of millions. The state of the heathen is pitiable indeed. Just think of it! There are multiplied millions of our race who reverence and glorify these false deities, which can neither see nor hear nor handle nor deliver. Daily do they call upon them, but call in vain, Nor is this all. Connected with this idolatrous worship in heathen lands is almost every species of vice, of licentiousness, of intemperance, of revelry, and of debauch. Here untold flood-gates are lifted up or thrown wide open, and horrid abominations and inhuman cruelties and crimes, reaching even unto bloodshed, are like so many torrents sweeping over the land. These leave in their wake devastation, desolation, degradation, wretchedness, and ruin. This truly sad and mournful condition of the heathen world is enough to break a heart of stone, and to melt all eyes to tears. He who can behold a scene like this unmoved is surely past feeling, and without natural affection and human sympathy.

The State of the Heathen. 29

And he who can restrain prayer, and tie his pursestring against such a call for help is certainly destitute of Christian sympathy and without the constraining love of Christ in his heart moving him toward the suffering and the lost. Such persons, it would seem, ought to live, for a time at least, in the midst of pagan superstition and idolatry. The surroundings of such a state, with its wretchedness and suffering, might possibly bring them to reflection, and to a proper understanding and faithful discharge of duty. Some persons are slow to learn the lesson of God's wisdom and goodness, as taught in the gospel and recorded in his written word. But our God is merciful, long-suffering, and kind. "He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." For one I am glad to have been born and reared in a land of Bibles and of gospel privileges and benefits — a land of religious liberties and a Christian civilization, which come to all the people as benedictions of God's mercy and grace. Ours truly is a Christian country:

The land of the free and the home of the brave. We may well boast of our civil and religious institutions and of the wealth and glory of the nation, only our boasting should be in the Lord. The great peace and prosperity of the Church is also cause of thanksgiving to our heavenly Father.

CHAPTER V. Heathenism at Home

The state of the heathen in foreign countries was the subject of our last chapter. In this chapter the benighted condition of the heathen at home shall claim our attention. Notwithstanding the Bible is so generally circulated, and the gospel so extensively preached in this country, there is still in many places great moral destitution. Paul said of some in his day: "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." A like state of things still exists. Any one who will open his eyes to the facts about him will be convinced of the truth of this statement. Reader, come and go with me, and we will first

visit

The Temple of Fashion.

Here we shall gather some interesting and important facts. The temple itself is magnificent, beautifully adorned within and without. In the estimation of the world the goddess presiding here is a most lovely being, and the altar is of the greatest attraction and beauty. The place is thronged with sincere and ardent worshipers. Their su- (30)

preme affections are given to this goddess, and their time, talents, wealth, and opportunities are all consecrated on this altar. Many of them- will not even share with God in these things. We look and wonder at their devotion and fidelity to a false god. Some of them are willing martyrs to their principles and sinful practices, glorying in their faith and dying in defense of their cause.