ing a universal mind is corroborated. This idea of expressed wisdom becoming eternal life is Gnostic philosophy. "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35.) Bread means brew or ferment, hence these are words being spoken for an abstract, life engendering principle in nature. Used as a threat: "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction." (Prov. 13:3.) This is the true spirit of ecclesiasticism which had the adamantine conscience to exploit the inquisition, which tore to shreds and burned all unbelieving humanity upon which it could lay its murderous hands. PART XVIII CULTIVATING NATIONAL EVILS (The sowing of evil suggestions begets universal crime.) It may seem out of place to interject this chapter, but it is essential to show that every system produces its fruit on the periphery. Both the church and the government seem bent on driving through humanity the illogical policy conceived by ecclesiasticism centuries ago. The debasement of humanity was preconceived and inevitable. The doctrine of inherent evil has truly borne its fruit. The laws hold that all men are evil until tried and found innocent. They deal with humanity on the periphery. Superficiality beclouds the true facts about human conditions. Despite the fact that the nation is smothered in crime, the legislatures continue to grind out the most inconsistent criminal laws to befuddle and entice men. This perverted theory is wholly Christian in its origin. Governments are cultivating the soil for the ecclesiastic harvest. A disrespect for government and law is being fostered. If the Christ principle is at work in the world today it is doing its work well, for rebellion, revolution, international disputes and internal warfare are everywhere in blossom. The gospel of hate, greed, avarice and selfishness is well established. Reader, take this digression not lightly. In the belief that the time had arrived to "thrust in the sickle," one harvest, estimated at fifty million human tares was gathered and burned at the stake or tortured to death in some horrible manner by the "Angels of the Lord," the ecclesiastical crusaders and the inquisition. The other harvest is about ripe. The hellish sickle of war has just destroyed eleven million human lives in the name of that Christian sarcasm, "sweet peace," without visible rea son, excuse or human profit. The result is, the whole world is in a ferment of revolution, rebellion and warfare, and mankind is smothered in crime and imbecility. What will be the fate of the ten million orphan children left by the late war? In the month of May, 1924, nations are openly repudiating their own governments; high officials throughout the world are being pointed at with scorn, and accused of about every crime men can commit; repudiated monarchs are attempting to get back upon their thrones; the people are struggling to seize the reins of government in socialistic revolutions; and designing political crooks are trying to take mean advantage of this abnormal stress. In Russia, suicides, official murders and red revolution are rampant. It is announced that fifty thousand persons are tagged for the horrors of Siberia, for which former governments were condemned. A Catholic bishop was condemned to be shot for high treason, and his property was confiscated. A dispatch says the pope is "intensely angry," because "women of the Franciscan Order," and "Catholic priests" were imprisoned for political activities. The pope contemplates "strong action." Revolutionary movements in Siberia recently cost hundreds of lives of men, women and children. Judges, prosecutors, investigators and lawyers are imprisoned for bribe taking. The Russians are ranting because the German authorities raided their private offices in Berlin-"friendly relations" exist between Germany and Russia. In Spain "sweet peace" is having a lovely time with Spain and Morocco jabbing bayonets into each other's bowels. Japan: "Elections in Japan were marred by every kind of rowdyism all over the country." China: "Bandits and pirates," both male and female, are being hunted and shot by the authorities. Thirty-nine pirates were shot in one lot. Subsequently two deadly revolutions have occurred. England: One of the best known English statesmen, once secretary of state, declared that the government was "one vast sham and humbug," calling a conspicuous member a "political cuckoo." In the United States May 21, 1924, from a single issue of a prominent California paper: "A former mayor accused of horse stealing. "Bank president takes own life. "Calendar jam holds up trial of murderess. "Schools to be closed because of lack of funds. "Burglars clean out tea room. "Policeman accused by woman. "Same officer arrested in a 'bootlegger raid.' "Fifteen autos stolen on Tuesday, May 20th, 1924 (this in a single city). "Couple held charged with contributing to girls' delin quency. "Jury for bomb trial. "Officer held in bandit den. "Death of girl held to be suicide. "Police capture two men in burglary. "Surgeons demand more hospitals. "Realty dealer suicides. "Former beach mayor indicted. "Detectives accused. "Held on charge of extortion of money. "Promoter goes to prison. "Held in forgery case. "Peddler sent to prison for theft. "Flood of rum at state door ready to come in. "District tangle put up to court. "Woman admits forgery. "Chain gang looms. "Confesses to shooting. "Victim of 'drop-purse game.' "Nabs theft suspect. "Pupil flogged, principal held. "Judge deplores lack of respect for law. "Charged with assault with deadly weapon. "Docket is filled by rum cases. "Planning detention home for boys. "Gets sojourn in jail for ignoring police auto tag. "State has no power to subpoena naval sailors. "Bank murder suspect trial halted. "Jail term for woman passing bad checks. "Accused in stolen goods case. "Woman accused of larceny and fraud. "Perjury case continued.” In this same issue we find: "Twenty-two divorce cases filed. "Twelve divorce decrees granted." Here are some sixty-five crimes reported in a single daily newspaper. These items are not repeated; this is the daily grind. On October 30th, 1924, thirty-six burglaries were committed in Los Angeles, and on October 31st, 1924, twentyseven burglaries. Did you ever attempt to analyze this crime problem? If this should hold good for 365 days in the year it would mean about 24,000 crimes a year in a single city. Also it would mean 6,600 applications for divorce, and 3,600 divorces granted. It would mean the theft of more than 5,000 automobiles annually. Is this an indication of peace and morality? Is it an indication of decent national life? Are we only banded together as a nation to foster crime? This is not confined to a single state or city. |