Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-06-21
Aggressive Christianity.

uOAO piOhiihOh1 eilbh 1to oCduly duO
ineradicable opposition to all that
degrades and debases man. A Church
which truly represents the spirit of
Jesus will not rest content without
active efforts to remove those agen-
cies which are working out the moral
ruin of the young. There is, for ex-
ample, class of saloons in our cities,
which are snares to the inexperienced
and stimulants to the hardened. The
lad from the country, who takes his
meals at the eating-house and sleeps
in the store, finds his evenings hang
ing heavy on his hands; so he strolls
about the streets and falls in with a
companion who invites him into one
of the brilliant saloons. Here all is
bright and pleasant to the eye
Young men are there with their mer-
ry laugh, demonstrative in their feel
ings and cordial in their sympathies.
The social glass passes round. Live
ly songs are sung, and all is merry
and light-hearted. The homesick boy
is cheered. He rejoices in compan-
ionship. He is tempted to drink and
play. Thus, in our saloons, every
night, will be found more or less of
these young men. Moreover, these
saloons vary in their character. Some
are respectable. The drinking and
gambling put on a genteel garb.-
Then there are others, coarser and
more repulsive. Vice becomes open
and bold. Female virtue is treated
with scoff or jest. The whole air is
fetid with moral poison.
City reader, while your eye rests
on this, there are scores Of young men
in these places learning to be gam
blers, drunkards, thieves and profit
gates. Every night this is going on.
and it is safe to say that these saloons
ruin more young men than the churches
save. What, then, is to be done :?
How does Christianity stand related
to this fact? Here is one way in
which the question was practically
answered.
A band of young men in Providence
was organized for special missionary
labor. On a Saturday evening they
met for prayer in one Of the rooms
of the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation, and after invoking the bless
ing of Heaven went forth in groups
of three and four into the billiard sa-
looms and gambling hells. They free
| ly mingled with those present, spoke
kindly to them. engaged in conversa-
ton, and, on leaving, prevailed on a
number to 90 with them to the prayer
meeting of the ASSOCIATION. F6rJy
were thus induced to attend in a
single evening. These were wei
coined with the cordial grasp of the
hand. Continuing this work, these
young missionaries resolved to con-
centrate their efforts in a noted resort
called the Metropolitan. Making
their way, one evening last Decem-
Der, through back alley, they found
the place a combination of everything
vicious. A dense crowd-to fall in
to the language of a narrator-of
two or three hundred persons, mostly
young men of the baser sort, filled
the main hall. Near the entrance
stood the bar, over which the propri
etor was rapidly dealing out his Ii
ouid fire. Here and there were gam
ing tables surrounded by parties Of
excited gamblers. At the opposite
end, on a raised platform, perform
ance was progressing in the low min
strel and ballet line !; while in the ad
Joining rooms could be seen the pitt
full unfortunates moving joyless and
CHASTITY through the brutal throng.
The young men from the Associa
ton were rather taken aback at the
prospect before them; but they came
on business, and began operations a
once. Going up to. the proprietor
they asked if they might sing from his
platform. Yes said he, sing away
though evidently a little mystifed a
the request. The crowd parted be
fore them to the right and left, as the.
made their way to the stage, as mucl
astonished as the proprietors. Takins
their position, they sang in fine styl'
patriotic song, in which one or two
of the audience joined. But whel
they struck up that sweet hymn,-
Come, saith Jesus sacred voice,
Come and make my paths your choice
every voice was still. Gamblers, dane
ers, drunkards, all were petrife,
with amazement at the sound of sue
music in that strange place. Anothe
hymn followed, when one of thei
r number stepped to the edge of th
1 platform, and from an earnest pityin
e heart told them of the more exec
, lent way and of a Saviour's love
But after few sentences, the propri
t etor shouted, in hoarse V OF CO
e Enough of that, young man; didn
t bargain for any preaching So the
d departed, after thanking him for tn
d privilege of singing. The next wee
: they returned, and even prevailed o
o the keeper to let them have-his ha
r for a prayer-meeting the next Sunda
Il night. The time came, and the plac
Il was crowded by the roughs draw
n thither from curiosity or the desire Q
y sport. But a company of Christia
: men were there, whose souls were a
f on fire with zeal for the lost. Ever
v prayer, and exhortation, and hym
had meaning and an aim; and tt
hushed breathing and sober aspect @
that assembly revealed the present
= = of God.
ID Other meetings were held, and
:, number of young men renounced the
old ways and gave their hearts
n H. IRf