I believe that our times are the best of times that England has ever seen. I do not say this boastfully. I know that we have many things to deplore; but I do say that we might be worse. I do say that we were much worse a hundred years ago. The general standard of religion and morality is undoubtedly far higher. At all events, in 1868, we are awake. We see and feel evils to which, a hundred years ago, men were insensible. We struggle to be free from these evils; we desire to amend. This is a vast improvement. With all our many faults we are not sound asleep. On every side there is a stir, activity, movement, progress, and not stagnation. Bad as we are, we confess our badness; weak as we are we acknowledge our failings; feeble as our efforts are, we strive to amend; little as we do for Christ, we do try to do something. Let us thank God for this! Things might be worse.
The Christian Leaders of the Last Century
p.10
This happened because men started to take the scriptures seriously.
(1Pe 1:13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
(1Pe 1:14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
(1Pe 1:15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
(1Pe 1:16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
(1Pe 1:17) And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
(1Pe 1:18) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
(1Pe 1:19) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
