Signs of the Times

Death toll for the United Nations

As shots, shouts and bells rang out the old year and heralded in the new, it ap­peared to many that the death toll for the collapse of the United Nations was also sounding. After 16 futile years of en­deavouring to settle disputes peaceably, and ensure law and order throughout the world, the organization is now in its greatest crisis. Officials feel that in the face of current developments; developments that have served to prove the ineffectiveness of its power, the U.N. may not survive for very long. Its principle purpose was to provide a world organization that would be able to step in and settle international disputes quickly and peacefully. That this is not being effectively done currently is evident from a quick survey of world affairs. In 1953 the Korean war was ended, with a truce agreed upon by both sides. Though this agreement is now being flagrantly violated by the Communists, the U.N. has failed to take any decisive action whatsoever. When India launched her lightening like attract against the Portuguese Colony of Goa, succeeding in taking the small community, no action was taken. The obvious lack of activity in the organization was apparent to some as retired Chakravarti Rajagopalachari elder states­man of India pointed out: “India has helped to undermine the prestige and power of the United Nations Security Council. It may not be apparent at once but we have paid very heavily In enlighten­ed world opinion for this claptrap Goa action.”

Missing the Mark

In the Congo, the United Nations has been waging a war in an attempt to force Katanga Province to join in with the Con­golese government. Pressure from the Communists have prevented the U.N. army from being used against Red-backed forces there. These apparent inconsistencies have led to severe criticism from both here in the United States and abroad. Speaking to the Security Council of the United Na­tions, Adlai Stevenson warned: “The failure of the Security Council to call for a cease-fire (re. invasion of Goa) tonight in these simple circumstances is a failure of the United Nations. The veto of the Soviet Union is consistent with its long role of obstruction. But I find the atti­tude of some other members of the Council profoundly disturbing and ominous be­cause we have witnessed tonight an effort to rewrite the charter, to sanction the use of force in international relations when it suits one’s own purpose . . . This approach can only lead to chaos and to the disintegration of the United Nations.”

On December 18th, Lord Home, Foreign Minister of Great Britain, speaking to the House of the Lords, in acid terms criticized the United Nations for their failure to ful­fill their .intended purpose; t’ If the em­phasis is taken off the first duty of the U.N., which is peacemaking and security, and laid on the acceleration of independence and the eradication of colonialism, which is a subsidiary issue, then the U.N. places itself in danger of becoming politi­cal and partisan and adopting double standards.” Lord Home denounced the U.N. adoption of a “double standard” that condemns Britain’s colonialism and ignores Soviet imperialism.

Bankrupt

The British Foreign Minister also leveled criticism at those participating nations who have refused to meet their financial responsibility in the UN organization Of the 104 members, 82 are in serious arrears As a result, the UN is virtually broke In order to maintain its present 17,000 troops in the Congo, and 5,100 patrolling the Gaza Strip between Israel and Egypt, the organization has had to dip into reserves and drawing on advances from a few of the contributing nations It was esti­mated that at the close of December, the deficit from this operation amounted to 107 million dollars, growing at the rate of 10 million dollars a month Because Russia and other Communist dominated countries hive refused to contribute financially to either of these ventures, the United States has been paying about half the costs.

To keep the UN functioning, President Kennedy recommended that the United States purchase half of the UN ‘s bond issue The Bond issue Involves the selling of 200 million dollars worth of bonds to member governments to provide money for paying off the debit and providing a cushion for future demands This proposal has been branded by Russia and other hostile members as illegal, and therefore, not binding.

The Divine Remedy

In the light of these disturbing develop­ments, it does not appear likely that the United Nations will survive, other than as a debating platform, similar to the Geneva peace talks, which have consistently failed to attain world peace The growing com­plexity of our times, and the radically different views of attaining an acceptable world government dim the possibility of the United Nations, or any other system devised by man of attaining this goal.

The answer to these insurmountable problems, however, does not lie with man, but rather with his Creator The universal failure of the human race to achieve true world peace has been amply foreseen and foretold in the Word of God For the Spirit of the Almighty through the voice of His prophets has clearly defined the course of human events, predicting with unerring accuracy the hostile and belligerent spirit that would prevail among world powers World-wide unrest and conflict would con­tinue from the time of the first revelation to the time of the end, increasing in intensity and deadliness as man became more skillful in the art of making war Jesus spoke of coming conflicts in terms that more than suggest that they were to ensue till the very time of His coming In Luke 21 9,10 the Master declared, “But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified for these things must fist come to pass, but the end is not by and by Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against king­dom.”

The conditions that accompany national conflict would become alarmingly threatening in the last days due to the intense pre­paration for war all nations would engage in This world-wide armament in preparation for the manifestation of the King of kings is eloquently set forth in the third chapter of Joel’s prophecy It is here that the student of prophecy can clearly see the present arms race, and build up of nuclear arsenals After re-stating the Divine proclamation that would go forth from na­tion to nation to “prepare war”, the prophet describes the advent of Christ in power and great glory, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Joel cries in the 3rd chapter at verse 11-12; “Assemble your­selves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about; thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, 0 Lord. Let the heathen (Gentile nations) be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.”

Instead of the United Nations, there will arise another governing body, comprised of the faithful of all ages, who, hav­ing been empowered with immortality, and vested with Divine authority will succeed in that field where all other organizations have failed. The reins of government in the hands of Christ and His saints will im­pose and enforce restrictions and regula­tions on all nations. The effect of this Di­vine system on the nations of the world is beautifully set forth in the opening verses of the second chapter of Isaiah, where the prophet describes the various world powers as gladly yielding to the law of our God and the Word that emanates from Jerusa­lem. World disarmament and the abolition of war, goals, that today are but a fleeting vision, will in the day of Christ become very practical realities. How thankful we are that God has not abandoned us to the wisdom and will of man; but instead, has revealed in clear and understandable tones His purpose with the earth and man upon it. Though darkly on the horizon is out­lined a great global war, which the new year may witness, the eyes of His people, trained to look not at the things which are seen, but rather to the things which are not seen, can view clearly beyond this conflict to the dawn of Zion’s glorious morning, when “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

International moral decadence

The world has slowly drifted into an era of selfish materialism, in which man­kind has all but abandoned any effort to seek after spiritual truths. This world wide moral decay has been foreseen and fore­told in the Word of God and presents to the child of God a graphic picture of events that would characterize the last days. The conditions that are to prevail during the closing days of Gentile darkness were to Present a real challenge to the followers of Christ. The danger of being swept along with the spirit of the world is so great that the Scriptures repeatedly warn against being over come with “surfeiting, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” (Luke 21:34) Christians must continually be on guard against the wicked and destroying influences that surround them in every facet of life.

Though the evil pursuits of man’s heart has always superceded an obedience to the revealed will of God, this unhappy con­dition was to attain a dangerous margin in the last days; so great, in fact, that except the Lord shorten those days, the very elect would be deceived. Paul, in many of his writings warns the household of the impending danger of the flesh, and the overpowering influence it was to wield just prior to the coming of Jesus. In writ­ing to Timothy, the apostle warned; “This know also, that in the Last Days peril­ous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boast­ers, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without nat­ural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Tim. 3:1-4) Paul’s reference to the “last days” indicates that conditions would be especially evil at the time of the end. Evil influences were already at work in his day, but special emphasis is placed on the times in which we live. In the 13th verse, Paul cautions, “But evil men and seducers shall Wax Worse and Worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

The people of the earth were to be involved almost solely in the selfish pursuits of their own pleasures, while at the same time professing an adherence to the teach­ings of Jesus. These same individuals are described by Paul in the 5th verse as “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” and in the 7th verse, as “ever learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Such is the plight of Christendom today.

Insanity among the Nations

Even more evident in the world about us is the new low in social immorality among the nuclear powers. There is an utter disregard for the safety and welfare of the masses, as one nation after another announces to the world that nuclear tests will be resumed. Since the first of Novem­ber, Russia has set off more than thirty nu­clear powered devises in a new series of tests, that display to the world, that pre­parations must have been in progress for at least two years. On October 30th the Soviet Union exploded the most powerful bomb ever constructed by man; a devise in a range involving between 50 and 75 megatons of power. Khrushchev bragged that the blast was bigger than had been anticipated (suggesting that the bomb got out of hand) but that no criticism would be leveled against Russian scientists The explosion, equivalent to at least 50 million tons of TNT going off at one time, set loose 3 tons of radioactive debris in the world’s atmosphere.

The Soviet premier had announced to the world that Russia had intended to set off the blast In spite of protests received from many nations directly in the path of the dangerous fallout, the explosion went off as scheduled The 3 tons of radioactive fallout resulting from this test compares with an average of 38 pounds per blast on all tests made by the United States The area that will receive the major part of the present fallout next Spring lies between the 30th and 50th parallels in the Northern Hemisphere, and takes in all of the U S, Southern Canada, most of Western Europe, and heavily populated areas of Russia and China What is significant in these tests is the potential danger to the present and future generations Though the actual percentage to world population is small, the fact still remains that roughly 300,000 people will be affected one way or another by the present tests It is definitely know that the chief effects that radioactivity have on humans are cancers of different kinds, including leukemia, and a general shortening of the life span Other ramifications are known to exist but are not so potent The most appalling fact that stands out is that the danger is far worse for children than for adults This is due to the fact that some substances, such as strontium 90 are deposited more readily in the bodies of children as the) grow, much more so than in the bodies of adults Growing tissues are more susceptible to radiation, since more of the cells are killed.

The reaction of the United States to Soviet resumption of nuclear teats, is, as expected, to resume tests of her own President Kennedy, in a statement to the news men at the White House on Nov 2, 1961, said “In view of the Soviet action, it will be the policy of the United States to pro­ceed in developing nuclear weapons to maintain this superior capability for the defense of the free world against any aggressors. But should tests be deemed necessary to maintain our responsibilities for free-world security, in the light of our evaluation of Soviet tests, they will be undertaken.

The president went on to disclose military preparations for tests when the time comes to conduct them.

It has often been said that it is madness to seriously talk of using nuclear weapons, in the face of the obvious result Only the insane will consider the use of weapons so lethal and devastating as atomic bombs But, consider they do, and in spite of all the protests of those who can see the ob­vious cataclysmic results that would follow, they methodically plan their own destruc­tion ‘The prophet Jeremiah, in his denunciation of the Gentile nations declared, “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunk en The nations have drunken of her wine, therefore the nations are mad (51-7) If It could be said in his day that the military campaigns of the Gentiles against the pur­pose of God was madness, what must His estimation of the world be in this day? The cup of God’s wrath was held in the hand of Babylon, which simply means that Babylon was used as a tool by the Creator to punish the other Gentile nations To day, we see the same cup held in the hand of another God-defying nation, wielding great and terrible power throughout the earth, making all kingdoms drunk with the wine of her folly Earth powers today, under the constant threat of extinction by a hostile nation would resort to anything to ensure their continued existence.

Jeremiah, likewise foretold all nations drinking of the cup of God’s anger in the day when He will punish the proud and arrogant nations of the earth. “For thus saith the Lord God of Israel unto me; Take thy wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.” There will be a latter day madness among the Gen­tile powers because of the sword that God will send among them, that is causing and will continue to cause them to pre­pare for war, in an unprecedented man­ner. This preparation will continue until the great day of God Almighty, when the Lord of hosts shall roar from on high and utter His voice from the holy habita­tion as His judgments are poured out on a sin-ridden and war-torn world. (Jer. 25:30-33)

Nuclear tests resume

On August 31st, Nikita Krushchev an­nounced to the world that the Soviet Union intended to resume the testing of nuclear weapons, thus breaking a mora­torium of 34 months. Although many thought that the premier was bluffing, in order to gain in the crisis in Berlin, it was immediately obvious that Russia meant business. The next day, September 1st, the first break in the atomic ban was made as a nuclear device was set off in the Central Asia area. At the time of the writing of this article, less than a week after the announcement, the Russians have exploded their fourth nuclear bomb. This fourth blast was equivalent to about 20,000 tons of TNT, and, like the pre­vious ones, was set off in the atmosphere.

World reaction to Russia’s break of the atomic ban, ranged from bitter re­sentment and renunciations to worried disbelief. In Paris, “Le Monde”, leading newspaper, declared: “The intimidation maneuver is too brutal, the blackmail too obvious to find other motives than want­ing to push the world into a state of an­guish at the infernal prospect of atomic competition.” In West Berlin, the “Ku­rier” stated: “With its atomic fist, the Soviet Union puts the hardest pressure so far on the solution in the Eastern sense. This is blackmail.” In Tokyo, still shak­ing from the recent visit of Gromyko who promised swift annihilation to Japan in the event of war, should they not break military ties with the West, it was felt that Russia’s resumption of nuclear tests was “a stepping up of this psychological war, and adding fuel to the Berlin Crisis

. . The Soviet decision to resume nuclear testing shocked the Japanese and aroused almost universal resentment.”

The New York Times ran similar world protest articles, with headings as: “Netherlands Dismayed, Norwegians upset, Soviet plan alarms Italy, Danish work­ers protest, Israelis condemn Moscow test plan.” Here in the United States, President Kennedy issued an official statement condemning the So­viet Union’s decision as presenting “a threat to the entire world by increasing the dangers of thermonuclear holocaust . . . What the Soviet Union is obviously testing is not only nuclear devices but the will and determination of the free world to resist such tactics to defend freedom.”

The Shock Treatment

When Khrushchev announced that Rus­sia was about to resume testing, he boasted that the Soviet Union was in posses­sion of a superbomb that had the force of 100 million tons of TNT. This is roughly 5,000 times the force of that which was dropped on Hiroshima and five times the size of the biggest bomb in the United States’ stockpile. Experts have ventured many reasons as to the purpose of Russias break in the ban. The Soviets surely know that this resumption in tests would brand them as warmongers and opponents to peace, especially among the European neutral nations. Circum­stances known only behind the Iron Cur­tain may have been responsible for the change in policy, although Khrushchev told two visiting British laborites that he was hoping to shock the West into nego­tiations over Berlin and disarmament. It is probable that Nikita Khrushchev thought the neutral nations, for fear of a nuclear war, would pressure the West into concessions over Berlin. The accu­sation of “atomic blackmail” may not be very far from the truth.

Another reason could be that the Rus­sians are in desperate need of the practical testing of new nuclear devices. Khrushchev hinted at this several months ago at the collapse of the Geneva conferences, when he boasted that Russia had many devices which needed to be tested. The nature of these weapons may be such that they cannot be practically developed underground (many experts believe that Russia has been testing nuclear devices underground during the past three years). The fact that all the blasts so far have been set off in the atmosphere seems to bear this out.

There is also the possibility that Rus­sian scientists are developing an antimissile missile, that must be tested in the atmosphere. The perfection of this type of missile, in the age of atomic power is absolutely essential to survival. The United States is now engaged on work on the Nike-Zeus, a missile intercepting type of weapon, that is in need of testing in the atmosphere.

Any of the reasons set forth would be of sufficient reason for the Soviet Union to make this decision. To all the world it means a quick step up in the arms race. Already, the United States has decided to resume its own testing, although the first, at least are to be underground. If the Russian Premier thought that their decision would demoralize the West, he was mistaken. President Kennedy once again stated the U. S. determination of defending Berlin. Said the president: “We, of course, stand ready to defend our basic interests in Berlin.” One thing was quite obvious. The U. S. would defi­nitely resume its own tests, a fact that Russia must surely have foreseen.

The Time R’pens

This step up in the arms race probably will not terminate with Russia’s super-bomb of 100-megatons. Scientists in the United States have proclaimed that a bomb of this size would not be difficult to build. They have maintained that it is not practical in nuclear war, except as a propaganda weapon. However, pressures now, with the test ban off, may force the U. S. to develop something of a similar nature. To illustrate the quickening pace with which the preparation for war is taking place, scientists are now talking about a “Begaton” bomb, a bomb that has the potency of 1,000 megatons, and one that could effect the annihilation of all life in an area equivalent to all of California and Nevada combined. This is not the end to man’s evil inventions. He will not be satisfied until he has suc­ceeded in developing “doomsday” weap­ons that could reduce entire continents to cinders.

This sad state of affairs, to the children of God, is but another indication that the “day of the Lord” is at hand. The inherent sinfulness of mankind is swiftly bringing him to the time when, if God does not miraculously intervene, he will succeed in not only destroying continents, but also life all over this chaotic world. A few years ago, Joel’s prophecy concern­ing the great national preparation for war could not possibly have had the sig­nificance it has today. The time is surely ripe for the Creator to take a hand in the course of destruction followed by the sons of men, an occasion dramatically foretold by his servant, the prophet Joel;

“Let the heathen be wakened and come to the valley of Jehoshaphat: For there will I sit to Judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: Come, get you down, for The press is full, the fats overflow; for their wicked­ness is great. Multitudes, Multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:12-14)

Crisis in the Congo

As the Tidings goes to press, the Congo is seen sinking deeper and deeper into absolute chaos and turmoil. Never before has such distress and perplexity seized as large a nation or group of nations as has the dark continent of Africa. Actual shooting wars, race riots, pillaging, raping and vicious and unprovoked attacks upon the “whites” characterize the conditions now existing as Africa soddenly awakes amid a world already on the verge of calamity.

Civil authority has almost vanished from the Congo, as the arm­ed tribesmen wreak their wanton destruction upon the helpless. The Congolese army, numbering about 15,000 is quickly becoming the greatest threat to all in the Congo. Disclaiming loyalty to any, they go about savagely and violently terrorizing Congo cities and towns. The United Nations prestige and effectiveness as a deterrent to civil war is rapidly fading, as their troops in the Congo stand by and do little to avert the daily calamities. Sudan has ordered all her troops out of the United Na­tions army because of the failure of the U. N. to give support to Sudanese soldiers under attract by the Congolese army. The army of the U. N. numbering 13,000, could be a very effective force in the Congo, if proper authority were granted it ; but as yet this hasn’t happened and the troops are be­coming demoralized.

Vast Natural Wealth

Actually, there is a great deal at stake in the African continent ; a great deal of natural mineral wealth and mining potentials which present a great temptation to the other world powers. Most of the world’s supply of cobalt, columbite, tantalite and diamonds are taken from the mines of Africa. There are also vast untapped treasures of iron ore, coal, zinc, asbestos, gold and other natural deposits, that could very profit­ably be mined under proper know-h o w. Agriculturally speaking, from the soil of Africa comes the biggest part of the world’s supply of cocoa, cloves, palm oil and sisal.

The Issue — Racial

The prevailing issue today, is not the cold war ; i.e. the fight for control between pro-Communist and pro-Western leaders, but rath­er racial. The large majority of the Congolese, engaged in this con­flict are not aware of the differences that exist between the two systems. They are deeply rooted in racial prejudice against the white skinned foreigners whether they be British, Belgian, American or Russian. The tribal differences account for a great deal of the savage violence that reigns from day to day. Many of them, having no understanding of governments and ideology, rebel against their own officers and often join the ranks of the enemy they have been commissioned to destroy.

The tribal factions war among themselves, and age long enemies have found themselves suddenly plunged into a senseless war, often killing and looting for the sheer pleasure of killing. As an example, most Congolese soldiers were drafted by the Belgians from the warlike Baluba tribe, who are an­cient enemies of the Luluas. The area of Luluabourg is inhabited mainly by Lulua tribesmen. When they attacked the Balubas under the orders of the anti-Communist Central government in Leopold­ville, they did so, not because they thought they were Communists, but rather because they were Balubas. The “cold war” is a sub­ject, alien to the African. What he is concerned with is “What color is your skin?” If black, then, “What tribe do you belong to ?”

The United Nations has experi­enced insurmountable obstacles in their endeavours to establish an acceptable government in the Con­go. The African leaders who have emerged to power have proved to be weak and unreliable. Presi­dent Joseph Kasavubu has been unsuccessful to rally his nation behind him. Major General Joseph Mobutu is erratic and unpredict­able. When Patrice Lumumba was put in jail, his supporters, not only among the Congolese, but also among other African leaders rais­ed such great protest, that the U. N. Secretary General Dag Ham­marskjold made a bold proposal in an endeavour to stop the vio­lence and reprisals in the Congo.

He suggested that all Congolese troops be disarmed. This would involve Mobutu’s Central Congo army, Katanga’s Moise Tshombe’s army and the scattered Lumumbist supporters. It was hoped that the leaders could then be trained and eventually brought together to form a new government under U. N supervision. The reaction to this was an emphatic “No!” Gen­eral Mubutu cried, “We will never allow it. The U. N. is playing with fire. This would mean war.”

One week after the proposal, it was revealed that Lumumba had been killed under uncertain cir­cumstances. The death of Patrice Lumumba only served to accent the discord prevailing there, as terrorism swept across the Congo in tribal reprisal uprisings. An­toine Gizenga, Vice Premier under Lumumba has claimed successor to Lumumba. Gizenga is a Com­munist and is backed by the So­viet, having gained recognition for his North Congo regime as the Government of all Congo. His cap­ital, Stanleyville, is now the main Red base in the Congo.

Ignorance – Savagery

As these reports of brutal slayings and savagery reach us, we are reminded of the words of James, who unerringly pointed out the basic cause of all sin. “From whence come wars and fightings among you ? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members ? Ye lust, and ye have not : ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain ; ye fight and war, and ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, be­cause ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:1-3).

The further one gets from the commandments of Christ and their influence, the more animal like he becomes in his ways. A man, completely alienated from the influences of Christ’s teach­ings would be reduced to absolute savagery. The Apostle Paul de­scribes such individuals in the first chapter of his letter to the Ro­mans; “And even as they did not like to retain God in their Know­ledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient ; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity ; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God„ despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedi­ent to parents, without under­standing, etc.” (verses 28-31.

These characteristics are natur­al to the flesh and spring to life more noticeably among those who do not “retain God in their know­ledge”. Such is an ample descrip­tion of the average tribesman in Africa. The conditions existing there today are a vivid attestation to the truth of Paul’s words. Dag Hammarskjold’s proposal that the Congolese leaders lay down their arms and undergo training to prepare them for the task of ruling Africa is idealistic, if not practical today. But the type of training that will prevent them from reverting back to savagery is not to be found in the annals of human wisdom; it is not to be found in the great educational institutions of the world, nor in the political metropolises of great nations. No, indeed. For the only instruction that will lift them from the mire of human sin is that which de­scendeth from above.

It is the wisdom of God, per­sonified and exhibited in His dear Son who unto us is made “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctifi­cation, and redemption”. (1 Cor. 1:30). The dream of national education of a people such as dwell in the dark continent must await the return of Jesus, the greater than Solomon, who only has the power to transform men and women into vessels of honour, suitable for the dwelling place of God. Then, and only then, when Christ shall sit and rule upon the restored throne of David, will the wolf-like men be tamed ; will the lion-like rulers be subjected to His will, and will those who like serpents seek to poison others be tranquilized.

“Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will He teach sinners in the way.” (Psalm 25:8).

Threshold of Space

To many students of the Bible, the thought that some day man would succeed in conquering outer space has seemed highly incredible The idea that mortals would be capable of freeing themselves from the earth s gravitational field and soar into the vast regions of the heavens has seemed too far fetched to be true It has been thought that God would never allow man to achieve this dream, because the scriptures plainly relate His intention of filling this earth with an immortal race of people The heaven, even the heavens are the Lord s but the earth hath He given to the children of men, is the cry of King David (Psalm 115 16) This declaration has been taken up by many in support of the thought that man is forever confined to this earth

Doctor John Thomas, a valiant pioneer in the revival of the Truth in these latter days, before the invention of the aeroplane, maintained that man would never fly through the skies The dream of freeing himself from the confines of the ground and winging through the air seemed far too fantastic for the doctor to visualize Yet, today there are very few of us who can even remember when there were not planes filling the airways Scriptures that seemed to forbid man s exploration into outer space are much more cautiously brought forth The more advanced the scientific world becomes, the less dogmatic must we be in limiting his ventures The age in which we find our selves is remarkable, not only for the tremendous achievements brought about in the scientific world, but also for the fantastic acceleration of these achievements When we remember that it was only about twenty years ago that rocketry and nuclear power was seriously begun, we can begin to appreciate the great strides that our eyes have witnessed Just a few years ago man was attempting to fly through the air at a speed equal to that of sound Today, his speed is measured in multiples of the speed of sound, a gentle reminder of the great age in which we live

Man in Space

Events of the past two months sere to accent the fast times of this age, and the unbelievable increase in knowledge that God has permitted to take place While America was busy in an attempt to convince the world that there is no misuse gap , the Russians dramatically announced that they had succeeded in placing a human being in orbit around the earth and safely landing him again On April 12, at 12 25 p m , Russian radios told the Soviet world, The world s first spaceship, VOSTOK, with a man on board, has been launched on April 12 in the Soviet Union on a round the world orbit The news electrified the complete world and was described by Britain’s Jodrell Bank observatory director, Sir Bernard Lovell, as “one of the greatest scientific achievements” in history.

It was later revealed that the spaceship, weighing 5 tons, was launched by liquid fuel at 9:07 a.m., April 12, and contained cosmonaut Maj. Yuri Gagarin. The total time elapsing between actual take off and landing was 108 minutes. The actual orbiting time, a complete circle of the earth was 89.1 minutes. The orbit took the space capsule as near as 110 miles from the earth and as far as 188 miles, and attained a speed of more than 285 miles a minute for most of the jour­ney. In the eyes of the world, the United States had suffered another setback, for this achievement was hailed as a victory equal to that of the first Sputnik; a vic­tory, both technologically and psychologically. The U. S. had hoped that it might beat the Russians in placing a man in space and thus regain some of the prestige it had lost.

Countermove

Just how close the United States was in claiming this “first” became apparent to all when scarcely three weeks later millions of people watched through the me­dium of television the launching of a United States spacecraft from Cape Cana­veral. It was the first break-through for America, and the first for the world in which the pilot partly controlled the flight.

At 10:34 a.m. EDT, American astro­naut Alan B. Shepard Jr. and his space­ship, “Freedom 7” atop a Redstone rocket were projected 115 miles into space, at­taining a speed of 5100 miles per hour. As the capsule pushed free from the spent rocket, it arched into a high trajectory finally landing 302 miles down range 15 minutes later. The accuracy of the shot was considered to be a virtual bullseye, landing just three miles from the aircraft carrier, Champlain. Maj. Shepard from instruments within the spaceship was able to control the position of the capsule by use of rockets, but not its course.

Both of these feats by Russia and the United States is a major breakthrough in space travel. The re-entry problem has been one that has delayed actual manned tests. This series of experiments is ex­pected to continue until a high degree of accuracy and dependency is achieved.

Sobering Thoughts

These successes have brought home to peoples all over the word, the reality of this age, and the potential threat to man­kind that such achievements pose. Both Russia and the United States have signi­ficant military space programs which are staggering in their immensity. Here in the U. S. many such space vehicles have been publicly described, some of which are already operational. The Air Force is in the process of developing a manned rocket bomber, capable of gliding in and out of the earth’s atmosphere, and  landing and taking off from the earth’s surface. It is called the Dyna-Soar and will begin tests in about five years. A reconnaissance type satellite to spy in the sky, watching over areas where attacks could be launched is already being tested in space. Satellite interceptors capable of rendezvousing in space with orbiting space ships, a system of space vehicles to repair satellites, missile-defense alarm systems are all on the board waiting de­velopment.

The universe seems to be shrinking be­fore us as we consider the amazing proj­ects being undertaken by science, in a futile attempt to overtake each other. The fear that has grasped the hearts of men and women all over the world finds ex­pression in the overwhelming ovation given to those immediately associated with scientific advances, Yuri Gargarin received honors and applause unparal­leled in Russia because of his part in the space program. Here in America, Alan Shepard received a similar recognition for the success experienced in the Free­dom 7. This type of ovation, actually a form of hero worship is the man-on-the-­street’s way of breathing a sigh of relief. If the applause be loud enough, it may drown out the heart’s pounding as people soberly reflect on the lamentable condi­tions existing in the world. But, however loud they may shout, they cannot dimi­nish the sounds of war that ever threaten to break on a troubled world. For, as long as the Prince Of Peace remains at the right hand of God, the world, under the leadership of mortal men, will continue to be a battleground and a graveyard, housing the charred remains of past civilizations.