P. S. L. Johnson On Reform Movements in America (1919)

Paul S. L. Johnson,

The Present Truth and Herald of Christ's Epiphany,

July 1, 1919, p. 131.

ʻProhibition has finally been written into the constitution of the United States.

The success of this reform has been due largely to education along social, industrial, economic, medical and moral lines, with the liquor elements furnishing enough arguments by their methods and results especially results to emphasize the contentions of the Reformers, who, inspired by their success here, are now preparing for a worldwide campaign against the forces of intoxicants.

The success of this reform is a sure evidence of the waning of Satan's kingdom among men.

ʻThe success of the women's suffrage movement in Congress and the submission of an amendment of the national constitution to the various Statesʼ legislatures is another reform significant of the times.

This, too, shows how the lightning flashes of Jehovah are revealing the foundations of the social earth.

ʻCommendable progress in the interest of laborʼs and of baby and children welfare through the Peace Conference is being made. The war, after its terrible ravages, in teaching the value of conserving human strength and life, in introducing labor and time-saving inventions, in showing the necessity of caring for children as the future hope of the State, and in spreading abroad the sense of justice, is becoming a Reformer of the first order; hence it was not an unmixed evil.

ʻTwo oppositely facing signs on the attitude of various bodies toward the Bible are in evidence. While in certain quarters, especially in the Episcopal Church, efforts are being made to set aside the reading of the Old Testament; in Bohemia and Moravia the desire for the Bible, long forbidden the Bohemians and Moravians by the Austro-Hungarian authorities, is voicing itself on all hands by multitudes of orders for, and sales of, the Scriptures. On account of their great zeal in this respect these people are being called a nation of Biblers. May the good work go on!ʼ

************************