The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-09-19


the great essentials, and whose disagree
ments were simply in forms of words, an
non essentia!s in religious matters. Vol
umes upon volumes have been written t
defend the technical expressions Of creed
Il all the labor and expenditure 10 the pub
! LEGATION Of controversial books had been de
voted to christian charities and practical eff
forts to elevate the race, the world oday
would occupy much higher plain in NOR
ais than it now presents. The Young Mems
Christian Associations are bringing the diff
ferent ranks and divisions into better un
derstanding; TO more united purpose il
the achievement of great end, and in de
fusiug the more sublime idea of a christian
brotherhood
But these Associations have, especially O.
late turned their attention to supplying
one of the great wants of the times. One
of the acknowledged necessities of the age,
is the providing of proper recreations anc
amusements for the young men Of oul
towns and cities. The tendency Of the
young towards the haunts of vice and dis
sipation, is everywhere seen and deplored
The best means for arresting this downward
current is now being more than ever dis
cussed by the best minds of the country
1t is becoming to be more generally believed
that preaching and moralizing, however
logical or eloquent does not fully reach the
case There is want which needs to be
supplied of a practical kind; something
which reaches the sympathies Of the young,
more than mere words of advice or admcm-
ton. Young men must have Iecr cation
and amusement; and since those who make
it their business TO pander to the lower pas
sions whose study it is how to attract and
allure for purposes Of personal gain, are
necessarily at work-a counteracting inf1u-
ence is demanded on the part Of those
whose mission it is TO lead in the path OF
virtue.
1t is therefore this acknowledged neces-
sity which these Christian Associations are
endeayoring to meet by inaugurating such
amusements as are intellectual, and at the
same time Of q pleasing and attractive
kind The Young Mems Christian ASCOT
alton Of Chicago in addition to large aud
commodous building fitted attractively and
tastefulIy, have introduced readings. recita-
tious, and music, both vocal and in
strumental. The rooms are open nightly,
and when not occupied with regular relig-
ious exercises, afford attractive entertain
ment to the young men of the city, whore
they may spend their evenings agreeably,
and free from the communicating influences
Of vicious associations. If the young will
have amusement, if it be an element OF
their nature which cannot be eradicated OF
changed, then why not provide for it III
suitable ways? If recreations of the better
kinds-those which, while they interest and
amuse, at the same time improve the taste
aud elevate the mind-are not found; then
those of demoralizing character will GER
tainly entice and lead estray. Those who
furnish resorts for the qualification of vita
ted tastes, are far more numerous in every
city and town, than those who provide in
tellectual entertainments. The influences
which invite to the indulgence of the low
er passions press on every side.
The hoIey remark has been made tina
the devil has stolen all the good music
while the doleful and snrowful has beer
left 10 the church There is doubtless
large mixture of truth in this, aud Their
might be added to the remark that th
devil has stolen much of art, painting ant
sculpture, which rightfully belongs to tn
christian world, and which should be seizet
upon aud appropriated to the nobest Q
uses The scenic beauty, wrought b.
skilful hands, which adorns the halls Q
popular amusemeuts, belongs as well to th
rooms where young men meet to improv
their moral natures, and to cultivate a fast
for the productions of genius. The appre
ciative mind learns to behold in the tru
and beautiful in art, the sublime perfectio
of the Creator which lift the soul upward:
Whatever in this world is truly beautiful
grand or sublime, belongs to God
A public hall in this city tastefully fitte
UP, hayin g respectable library and a goo
supply Of periodicals and newspapers; ope
every evening as place of resort for youn
men is a consideration of the first impor
aDce. It does not belong to young me
alone to originate and carry out measul
of this sort, but our older citizens who col
Q Germ themselves in the present and prospe
tive welfare Of the. rising generation, shoul
be among the first to move in this behal
Here is a wide field for doing somethir
e practical Of iustituting reform in Il
right direction, which no amount of me
talking or moralizihg can accomplis
This matter of home necessity, will
referred to again at another time
-
!" The shoe business of Lowell Mass