A Hard Winter

by Vernon L. stump

This article appeared in its full form in Evangelical Visitor, February 3, 1930, p. 1 & 15.

It seems that the country everywhere has been in the grip of extreme cold and storms since the early part of the Winter season. Here in the Central States we have had an unusual amount of snowfall and excessive cold weather.

These conditions have in no wise improved the financial situation of the working classes. We hear a great deal being said about hard times, and quite a few are out of work. We have heard this story a great many times: we know that Winter always brings its army of unemployed, but the proportions it has now reached have brought a challenge to our highest Government officials. Notwithstanding their efforts to alleviate the condition, the problem still remains unsolved.

Nearly everyone lives beyond their means when they are earning money. Due to the high pressure selling, a great many things are bought on the installment plan. . . . [And] with the situation as it is, debts, taxes, and [the cost of] living are constantly increasing.

The world is getting to be a harder place in which to live every year. This is due primarily to the fact that these things come as a result of sin. There would be no hard times in this country of ours were it not for the terrible orgy of spending and Get-Rich-Quick schemes that are fostered on the people, and the amassing of stupendous fortunes which are tied up in the control of a few people (and, under the circumstances, cannot—of course—be used to help relieve the needy and suffering).

There is much being said about certain laws and relief measures which are to change these conditions, but we have little hope that such will be the case. At least it will not be so according to the record that God has given us in His Word. He has said that “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” This condition obtains in a very large measure, and makes the Christian whose citizenship is in Heaven—from whence also he looks for the Savior—to yearn that the day of His coming may speedily arrive.

Vernon L. Stump served as editor of the Evangelical Visitor, the bi-weekly publication of the Brethren in Christ Church, in the early twentieth century.