The Signs of the Times

1303/1317

October 31, 1911

Conditions Existing in Our Large Cities

EGW

The intense passion for money-getting, the thirst for display, the luxury and extravagance,—all are forces that, with the great mass of mankind, are turning the mind from life's true purpose. They are opening the door to a thousand evils. Many, absorbed in their interest in worldly treasures, become insensible to the claims of God and the needs of their fellow men. They regard their wealth as a means of glorifying self. They add house to house, and land to land; they fill their homes with luxury, while all about them are human beings in misery and crime, in disease and death. ST October 31, 1911, par. 1

By every species of oppression and extortion, men are piling up colossal fortunes, while the cries of starving humanity are coming up before God. There are multitudes struggling with poverty, compelled to labor hard for small wages, unable to secure the barest necessities of life. Toil and deprivation, with no hope of better things, make their burden heavy. When pain and sickness are added, the burden is almost unbearable. Careworn and oppressed, they know not where to turn for relief. ST October 31, 1911, par. 2

The Scriptures describe the condition of the world just before Christ's second coming: “Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.” James 5:5, 6. ST October 31, 1911, par. 3

The spiritual darkness that covers the whole earth today is intensified in the crowded centers of population. It is in the cities of the nations that the Gospel worker finds the greatest impenitence and the greatest need. In these same wicked cities there are presented to soul-winners some of the greatest opportunities. Mingled with the multitudes who have no thought of God and heaven, are many who long for light and for purity of heart. Even among the careless and indifferent, there are not a few whose attention may be arrested by a revelation of God's love for the human soul. ST October 31, 1911, par. 4

The cities everywhere are calling for earnest, whole-hearted labor from the servants of God. ST October 31, 1911, par. 5

The conditions that face Christian workers in the great cities, constitute a solemn appeal for untiring effort in behalf of the millions living within the shadow of impending doom. ST October 31, 1911, par. 6

With heart and soul and voice they must respond to the summons of the Master of the vineyard to enter the cities, and work as laborers together with God for the winning of precious souls. ST October 31, 1911, par. 7

Mrs. E. G. White