The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-08
RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
THE lSlssnr rplosMIc or CRIME.


sermon by tho Rev. J. VI. Buckley sf the
Summerneid Methodist Episcopat Church,
BROOKLYN. w +i
sermon delivered at The sunmcraeid Methodist
Episcopal church, on Washington avenue, Brooklyn
last evening, by the Rev James b. Buckley, pastor.
The subject was, the epidemiopf crime now raging In
this country. The text taken from Hosea fourth
chapter and 81: ear the word OF the Lord 20
children OF Israeli for the Lord haa controversy wih
the inhabitants OF the land becaus there is truth,
nor mercy, nor knowledge Of God N,n the land. BY
swearing, and lying, and Killing and sealing, and
hitting adultery they break out and blood touehsth
blood" tas a
The preacher commenced with observing that the
fghtful prevalence Of present is beginning to
attract universal attention. The increase OF cre the
almost moiveiess character OF many henous murders
iay, mark the history OF the country at the
present day. Another feature s the alarming number
OF crimes which have atay taken place in respectable
circles of society. The facilities for collecting and diA
semuang information. such the great competition
existing between newspapers the cessation OF the war;
the extension OF the telegraph and railroads are un
doubleday greater now than has ever been the
before; therefore no crime BIO concealed from the
pubic But there Is doubt whatever that the preva.
lence OF present every part Of this country
takes the form OF an epidemic Crime originates from
the relations OF men to each other in society Individual
offences, such as ntemperance arregon, cannot be
classed under this head they affect only the perpe
traitor Dishonesty forgery false prsiences unfaith.
swindng open secret robbery burglary piracv,
crimes against the field OF which consists
OF labor and lawful exchange. Assault aud murder
Offences against the law Of personal security II would
not be sufficient Tor the peace and welfare OF society
leave the carving out OF is laws to the individual will
or opinion OF its Demers for then the weak would be
the mercy OF the strong and uBprincipled and
SAINT feuds would DO the result Hence in all countries
men adopt form of government which all must
obey OF the many different kinds Of government the
republican requires in particular enlightened and
yiruous people to make il successful and safe Revea
a GOV . q nf HaaVa
The main object OF government is the welfare OF its
people and the prevention Of crime. The passions OF
men are constantly mpeling them 10 commit acts u-
imica to tho peace and VOL being Of society Reason
and conscience sufficient curbs FOR good,
we'll thinking men, but the terrors Of the law
necessary to Ieep down the unruy passions OF the
iariiy in u nation. As long as bad men are in the
world so long viii there be crime ana 80 long must the
strong arm OF law be ready TO punish the guilty Tho
prevalence Of crime this country at the present
Is epidemic both there rs wide spreading
and constant succession OF effects There every
reason 70 believe Ia the infection and contagon OF
crime. II may become as real an epidemic ~ yellow
cholera there regular periods Of its IN
and decrease country Of dreadful outbreaks
OF human passions and OF suicides and other crimes
The predsposng cause OF CRIME certain state Of the
moral, mental and physical constitution II sometimes
proceeds from witnessing pubic executions, from the
minute descriptions OF crime given IN police gazettes
body. II proceeds from the hab.tuai yield
ing 10 impulse from childhood, ovsrmasterng love OF
excitement, or the effect OF certain plays in theatre
on the depraved mind. The commission Of crime itself
sometimes leads the perpetrator fresh deeds
serves as fatal stimuant Crime spreads the
principle that q panic spreads in financial circles
disease and 1t terminates In the manner
One OF the man causes OF the present epidemic
is the dcmoaIzng effect OF the war; rendering the
minds Of some hardened to Of blood, and pre-
pairing them on the slightest 10 hold human hfe
at Is cheap rate they did the field Of battle The
epidemic may be also traced the laxty admin
istraton Of criminal justice in places, the maudin
sympathy shown towards notorious criminals, petitions
and pardous The horrible condition Of some of our
r risons and the weakened confidence OF In the
retrbunons OF eternity have also something ~ do with
II There is ground for great fear The countrv unless
measures taken TO this awful epidemic Of crime
DOW rigging. Pubic sentiment must be awakened and
rime must be sternly punished.