Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-05-10
LOCAL AFFAIRS.


1ery full, and the interest evinced by
our citizens, continued undated to the end II
ia believed that these discouraes have had en-
dency to do much towards creating a heal by
moral atmosphere in our city, by awakening |
public sentiment against the evils spoken Of, and |
causing it to exert au influence towards break
ing down those vile dens of niquity, which de-
moralize all who come within their reach
The Reverend gentleman took for his text |
the llth verse Of the 9th chapter of Ephesinns
-" And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works OF darkness, but rather reprove them -"
lie said In the three discourses already de-
livered, he had spoken of the nature, quality
and effects of the popular sins of Wilmington
he would now speak of the remedy for these
evils. II is accounted great thing in lhy-
stefan to find remedy, after he has ascertained
the nature Of the disease and the hold il has
on the system. There was much force in the
remark of a physician who left this house 1T the
conclusion Of his previous discourse--that the
preacher had found out the evils, but the hing
was to find the remedy. He would demonsira
that there is remedy, as he went along. We
live in a sinful world, and he did not expect that
sin will ever be eifectually routed out, yet il
is our duty to endcavor to make the world bet
ter. That is what good people arc placed here
to debut they are to have no fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness nor to par.
take of the fruits of wickedness. II is very
feeble praise for a mnu to say that lie does
no harm. 1t is not saying much in favor
of the quality Of medicine, to say it is
harmless in its effects. He continued, it is the
duty of christian to hold up to view the vices
or the world in all their horrid deiormity, and
reprove those who are guilty. This he hal done
in reference to Lottery-gamhlng, Theatres,
Rum Shops and vile exhibitions of every char
acter. lie did not regard either of them as a
legitimate business. hence they should receive the
condemnation Of every christian man in the com.
munity. lie then adverted to the remedies pro-
posed to cure such evils. If we desire TO make
the world better, each individual should strive
to be better himself. 1t will not do in speaking
of these evils, TO employ language of cOndemna.
ton only. 1t would be but so much breath lost
it would never work its cure. Every evil has ii,
phase, and it will not do to deal with all alike
some it would be sufficient to scoll at, in ordei
to correct them, whilst with others this woult
not answer. Some persons engaged in practis
ing these evils, would ask no better friends thai
those who stand away of and scold. They d.
not care how much you talk, if you do not in
terpose more stringent measures. lie then spol,
Of legisating sin away, and remarked TINT b
had learned something within ten years; au
but little can be hoped for public morals from
Legislation, whilst legislators are the first
violate them. lie referred to the prohibitory Iii
quor Law in Deaw ire, and gave il as his opinio
that it had had mn evil effect upon the cause {
temperance. its most ardent friends would nc
desire to try the experiment over lie la
heard members of the legislature in New Yor
make eloquent speeches against intemperanct
i and go to the tap shop soon after Law, he sait
does very little to prevent drunkenness in tai
Z city, and il WIS similar i'll reference to ever
other vice. few years ago nearly all Ill
g States in the Union thought nothing but
+ prolibitory law could suppress intemperanc,
:, but he thought this has been proved futile. II
= remembered the passage of that law in Ne
York, and the manifestations of applause wit
= which it was received by the people aud "
that same people refused to put il in force. 10
: can only safely rely upon the laws Of Jehoyal
to eradicate the ills which niilict the world, =
+ In speaking Of organizations for the reformatio
of man, he expressed the opinion, that while
c thought there was some power in associated q
J. fort, he did not believe it was sufficient TO &C
:, compllsh the object No society, however grea
Ii can regenerate the worlds The great pannee
: is to be found in the gospel, it is there the Law
n are prescribed which will cure all the ailmen
of man. Whoever accepts it is safe from all Ill
= corrupting and demoralizng Influences of thes
evils. IL all would follow he precepts lai
e down in the Bible, the world would be feaeneI
# atel.
But, he continued, there are other influence
to be used, au important one of which is III
evidence OF the church against these evils.
o corrupt church makes the world irnfnII ,rors
1 The church should always take a bold Stan
against evils of every character, in such a dec
ded manner MS to leave no room for question +
> to what is the opinion of the church. 1t shou
!, always testify against sin. In relation 10 III
L moral power of the church, he said that silent
. the church exercises great influence by alway
- testilylng against sin, A man is often NOR
II powerful IN his silence, than in his speech Tn
Ghurplt hnmnVpp al
d baton, The Minister speaks for his churcl
. and the church is committed to what the minis
ter declares The Minister should, therefor,
always testify against sin. The Church tho
z does not speak out against the vices he Ind Al
+ picted, is not like the Church Christ establishes
II the church performs its mission there is No
a man, woman or child, who will not he ipllu
$ enced for good.
= lie next referred to the influence exertc,l II
4 the Press lie said, the extensive natronnr
bestowed on the newspapers of the countrY
SHOWS that they exercise great influence fn
good or eVil and consequently great care sboul
Q be taken that nothing should appear in thoi
columns but what will tend to elevate nnbli
morals. In illustration of his subject, he refer
red TO the immense power welded over the noo
) pie OF Great Britain by the London Times. =
8 lie asked, what man in Great Britain can h IN
to reach any high position, if the Times oppos
him just so in this country, who will broo
inc opposition of the Press with any hone o
rising to fame The moral portion of our cit
Q ought 10 be thankful that our Press mas spokei
, so well against the popular vices OF Wilminptnn
And although, there were exceptions which wcr
not altogether free from faint in this partcu.
} lar, be was glad TO be able say, that eve
T they were generally on the side of sound morals
The editor should always speak in favor of poot
morals, and never fail to expose vice.
We must Weolnu tln oooayi,,-
by educating our children to speak of these thine
as evils, thereby bringing them into disrepnte .
GU must educate the mind and heart Alright. 49,
10 this end you must encourage popular r,luca
tion. lie expressed his regret that tho c1nr
recently made to procure n sum sufficient TO nf
ford school accommodations for about fl e INN
dred children who are now deprived of th
means OF education, had failed In flourish.
ing city like ours, such should not be the casc
He thought we would find too late that II wn
poor economy. lie urged upon his hearers /,
adopt such measures as will render homo Mt
tractivo, and men will not seek for pleasure i,
vicious amusements. lie invoked parents and
guardians 10 keep boys in after dirk He fenreC
that christian Parents have been lax in this par
ticular. 1t is dangerous practice to let boy.
run the streets after dark. Keep them in nv aU
means, "peacably if you can, ioreibly if you
must"
Suppress q rage for riches. When bov sees
his father or guardian, always thirsting after
gold, it begets in the youth II desire for wealth.
and not unfrequenty he will resort to dishonest
and unfair dealings to attain it, Train the bow
up to be honest, upright and he will bless YOU
Teach him that there is something better than
riches to possess himself Of.
Again you cannot minister to the ailments
of society in the aggregate, therefore, much dc.
ponds upon the individual. If we cure the evils
that exist we must begin at home. Every man
must stop swearing in order to cure profanity
il you wish to prevent the evils of utemperance
you must stop drinking; and all other evils must
be cured by the snme process. Ii every man
j Mnnl lian I1Iarnta nl tho d. Z