This might actually be more appropriate under
Economics.
A Feature of the Times.
GOD is chastening the nation for its sins, yet who thinks of being humbled. While a deplorable civil war is desolating a large portion of the country, and bereavement, sorrow, and mourning, are in tens of thousands of families, the rage for amusement and pleasure, and a disposition to throw off every serious feeling, was never so great, and the exhibitions of the pride of life never so extensive and disgusting. As a specimen, read from the
Independent the following description of the unparalleled strides of pride, luxury, and extravagance in the city of New York:
Never, since the Pilgrims landed on these shores, was there such universal prosperity—in the loyal states—as at the present moment. Merchants have made more money during the past two years, than ever before in twice that space of time. Mechanics are, and have been, crowded with work, at high wages. Farmers and laboring men are investing large sums of money in government and other stocks, or are piling it up in savings-banks. Manufacturers, as a whole, are making semi-annual fortunes. Speculators are more numerous than our soldiers on the battle-field. Almost every other business man is dabbling more or less in stocks, or is in some way connected with a government contract; and as for Wall street, never was there such a financial millennium, as since the present rebellion. Millionaires can now be counted there by dozens. Princes are on every block, and bankers are "as thick as blackberries." Who, at the North, would ever think of war, if he had not a friend in the army, or did not read the newspapers? So much on the subject of making money. Now what can be said about spending it? Go into Broadway— not to "Webster's unabridged"—and we will show you what is meant by the word, extravagance. Ask Stewart about the demand for camel's-hair shawls, and he will say, "Monstrous." Ask Tiffany what kind of diamonds and pearls are called for. He will answer, "The prodigious—as near hen's eggs size as possible," — "price no object." What kind of carpetings are now wanted? None but "extra." Brussels and velvets are now used from basement to garret. Ingrains and three-plys don't do at all. Call a moment at a carriage depository. In reply to your first question you will be told, "Never such demand before, sir." And as for horses, the medium-priced, five-hundred- dollar kind are all out of market. A good pair of fast ones, "all right," will go for a thousand dollars, quicker than a basket of strawberries will sell for f-o-u-r cents. Those a little extra will bring fifteen hundred or two thousand, while the superb sort will bring any price among the "high numbers."
The apostle describes a certain time when men shall be covetous, when every advantage shall be taken, and all means resorted to, to aggrandize and gratify self, when the natural affections of men's hearts shall then be turned out of usual channels, or rather, when they shall be " without natural affection," and when an all absorbing spirit of worldliness and irreligion shall envelop and swallow up mankind. The apostle is also careful to state that these days are the last days of this world's existence; and what if our own times answer the description? U.S. [editor Uriah Smith]
From:
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald July 7, 1863