truth as to man's condition, and shows that, despite all material gains, corruption and decay still increase and spread among the children of men) are easily misled as to the facts; and they mistake material gains for true progress. Man's "progress," of which he loudly boasts, is a delusion. There is indeed a constant advance in mechanical inventions, and in all that contributes to a grossly materialistic industrialism. But that apparent progress serves but to hide the real facts from the many, who look only at the surface of things. In reality the civilized nations are on the down grade. Crime, insanity and suicides increase at an appalling rate. Everywhere the spirit of violence and lawlessness is rampant. In commercial life, political life and private life corruption increases and abounds. The noted scientist, A. R. Wallace, who put forth the theory of Evolution contemporaneously with Darwin, said, shortly before his death in his ninety-first year: "I have come to the general conclusion that there has been no advance either in intellect or morals since the days of the earliest Egyptians. Everything is as bad as it possibly can be. There exist in our midst horrors and dreadful diseases never known before. Our whole social environment is rotten, full of vice and everything that is bad.' Had Mr. Wallace lived to see the conditions in the world resulting from the great European War he would have had to admit that things could be even worse than they were then. The Spread and others with Finally we call attention to the pertinent fact that the presence and working of the law of Evolution in human affairs has furnished Spencer such apt illustrations, and they have used them so skilfully, that many fail to see the important fact to which we are here calling attention, namely, that the instances of Evolution to which they are able to point lie always in the realm of human institutions. To this point we ask careful attention, for in it is found the explanation of what every intelligent person will ask, namely, how comes it that a theory, for which there has never been the slightest proof, but which, on the contrary, is opposed to all the facts of human observation, has met with such wide acceptance among intelligent people? The reason is that, in the field which lies nearest to man, and in which he can most easily observe, there is Evolution; not only in localities but everywhere; and not only occasionally but always. It was easy, therefore, to make the assumption that, in the more remote fields of Nature, the same law of progressive changes was in control; and the fact that "varieties" of plants and animals could be produced by artificial breeding, gave a color of support to the theory. That theory once formulated and proclaimed, it would inevitably be received exultantly by all who are biased against the truth of man's fall and depravity, and so it was sure of strong and enthusiastic support. The Fatal On this point we quote again from Prof. "The warfare of philosophy against Christian faith is readily explained. Man is corrupt. He loves sin. He is conscious of his guilt and fears the penalty. Hence every avenue of escape is welcome, if only he can persuade himself that there is no God, no judgment. Man is proud, he desires no Saviour. Hence the effort to prove that no Saviour is needed, that there is no guilt attaching to sin, that there is no absolute right and wrong Hence too the doctrine of the Agnostic that we can ascribe no attributes to God. When we read the 'Synthetic Philoso phy' of Spencer we are apt to believe that the agnosticism there set forth is the result of deep philosophical speculation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Man, even cultured philosophical man, wants to have no restrictions placed upon pride and selfishness; hence it is necessary to rid the mind of the fear of Divine justice; hence the desire to demonstrate that God has no attributes, such as that He is 'just,' for instance. The Psalmist describes this attitude in the words, 'Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.' "No one who has grasped the inner motive of all 'Scientific' effort to demolish faith, can fail to understand why the many greet with such jubilant acclaim every new attack upon the Biblical narrative. No one who has pondered this motive can be snared in the net of 'science, falsely so called.' He has seen its inwardness, he knows its fatal bias." The Law of The law of Evolution then is strictly confined to one realm, the sphere of human affairs; and therein it has full sway. It is the law or rule of action of a fallen race. It is "the law of sin and death" (Rom 8:2). It has no place in the Kingdom of God, or in any sphere which sin has not invaded. It arises solely from man's efforts to improve his wretched condition, and from blindness to God's way of recovering and restoring His perishing human creatures. Man, having discovered that Evolution is the rule of procedure in the realm of his own doings, has imputed the same law to his Maker, thus fulfilling the Scripture, "Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself." WRITINGS By PHILIP MAURO Just the Book for a Gift to Teacher, Preacher, or Scholar RUTH The Satisfied Stranger The Sunday School Times says: "It is a spiritual treat to read this unfolding of the rich lessons in one of the beautiful little ' cameo books of the Bible. Mr. Mauro knows how to dig deep, and bring up treasures from his digging. His trained mind and his mastery of clear writing hold the attention of the reader to an unusual degree." Popular Edition, cloth, net $1.25 THE WORLD AND ITS GOD This volume, by one who was for the greater part of his life a convinced materialist, was written in 1905, and revised in 1917. It has passed through many editions, and has been translated into various foreign languages. Circulation over 100,000, and still in constant demand. 120 pages. Cloth, 60c net; Paper, 30c net OUR LIBERTY IN CHRIST Shows what is "Our Liberty which we have in Christ," and how it is endangered. The Sunday School Times says: "A decidedly unusual and refreshing method of approach is taken in this STUDY IN GALATIANS. The apostle's concern for the Galatians is seen to be not so much that they were falling away from correct teaching regarding their position as children of God, but from correct living according to grace. altogether this running commentary should encourage further study along the line of linking up correct doctrine with its normal result in victorious living." Cloth, $1.25 *** THE NUMBER OF MAN or The Climax of Civilization Enlarged by a New Chapter on The World War A Vivid Description of the Consolidation of Humanity, and the Agencies Now Operating to Produce It. Described by a reviewer as A startling arraignment of man-made conditions which are combining their influences in these latter days to destroy Christianity." Cloth, 383 pages, net $1.25 LIFE IN THE WORD A book that has been translated into many languages. Shows "the Bible's perennial freshness, its indestructibility, discernment of human nature, characteristics of growth and power to give, sustain, and transform life in the soul. Forceful, strengthening, stimulating." -Watchman. Circulation over 300,000 Cloth, 75 cents; paper, 35 cents THE SEVENTY WEEKS AND THE GREAT TRIBULATION A New Work on Prophecy This work contains a complete exposition of the Last Two Visions of Daniel (Chaps. IX-XII) and the Olivet Discourse of the Lord Jesus Christ, which form a connected and comprehensive Scheme of Prophecy, embracing both the First and Second Comings of Christ. The exposition of Daniel XI will be a great boon to many. The clear identification of "The King" (Dan. XI 36) is a feature of deepest interest. The vexed question "Will the people of God pass through the Great Tribulation?" finds in this Book a happy solution. Price $1.75 postpaid |