“The bonds of society are relaxed; traditional principles are losing their sacredness, and perils hitherto unknown are menacing the life of the social organism.”—_Archbishop Ireland._ These, with forebodings of coming droughts, famines, fires, storms, earthquakes, tidal waves, and pestilences, are filling men’s hearts with fear. 13. What may be said of “the sea and the waves roaring”? Great tidal waves and storms at sea, with cyclones and tornadoes on land, have become fearfully frequent of late years, making men apprehensive of still greater calamities to come. 14. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to characterize the time of the end? “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: _many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased_.” Dan. 12:4. NOTES.—The time of the end began in 1798. See Dan. 7:25; 11:35; 12:4, 9, and the reading “The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist,” page 218, under questions 5-8. Since 1798 there has been a most wonderful increase of all kinds of knowledge, both scientific and religious. Men have been “running to and fro” through both the world and the Word of God. The prophecies of Daniel are now themselves understood. Since 1798 five great Bible and tract societies have been organized; namely, the London Religious Tract Society, the British and Foreign Bible Society, the American Bible Society, the American Tract Society, and the International Tract Society, besides many smaller societies of the same kind. From these have gone forth to the world hundreds of millions of copies of the Bible, and countless pages of tracts and pamphlets, disseminating knowledge upon the truths of salvation. Besides these, millions of copies of religious papers are being circulated annually in the various countries of the world. Missions have been established in all parts of the world. All this has been accomplished since 1798. Concerning the increase of knowledge in the material, scientific, and intellectual worlds, see the next reading. 15. What is predicted of the moral condition of the world in the last days? “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, ... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” 2 Tim. 3:1-5. 16. How did the apostle Peter say the message of the Lord’s coming would be treated by some? “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days _scoffers_, walking after their own lusts, and _saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation_.” 2 Peter 3:3, 4. 17. What will God’s faithful servants be doing at this time?