Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-05-03
REFORMATION.
A Sermon from Temperance Man
10 our City Fathers. N.


Too many harp on the subject Of moral
as well as social reform. shall tread
lightly. Perchance some readers may
have some one on whom their very exist
ence depends, whom they fondly hope to
see tnrn from the error of their ways,
Perchance some fond father and loving
mother may be watching the course of
some weak and erring child, who the
world says is lost, though no kind hand
is reached out to the rescue. Public opln-
ion places a bearer between the cast-a-
way" and society, the gambler and the
woman who has gone from the paths OF
virtue. None are willing 10 throw the
mantle of charity over their faults; and
if assistance is offered it must be with
the greatest secrecy Alasl poor unfor-
tunates. The writer would give his life
to save one fallen being; for there is
Joy in heaven over one sinner that repent
eth; and so duty, if nought else, should
prompt us to seek to save the fallen. Re
member the an awful curse pronounced
against the workers of iniquity. The
wicked shall be punished, and there is no
excuse Depart from me, ye that work
iniquity, into everlasting fire, prepared
for the devil and hisangels. To say we
could, and would not, should make uneasy
our death-beds. Must conscience be
stihed? must we see vice rampant, and
not strive to do away with it? The cir
cumstances which caused many to fall
must be taken, into consideration, A
long and cruel war has just ended, and
many I" a poor, trusting girl y has left her
home for shame Woman's confidence
is oft times won by unprincipled scound-
rels only to ruin them, and then malig-
nantly turn on such ipoor unfortunates'
and condemn them for their weakness.
1.-The public pshave been disgustei by
the indecent manner mwhich the GEN
eral Council of Memphis have treated
the subject in attempting to abate the
fearful evil The quotation of n part OF
the language of the ordinance submitted
by Councilman Hewitt will answer my
purpose, viz
upon every individual bawd, every thirty
DAYS, until she abandons her unlawful
calling" May | ask this moral City
Father" what is to become of the poor
unfortunate when her occupation S
zone ?'oe Where is the man who is willing
to give shelter, occupation and protec-
ton to her when she abandons her un-
lawful calling?" Does he provide that
any part of the money so collected be
used for the purpose OF providing home
for the friendless2 No He means,
seemingly, that the filthy lucre" go to
swell the city's Golfers - which is the
price Of whatY OF misery and crime.
DO you wish to starve them before you
give them an opportunity to reform or
save their souls? The star of temper
arce guides the drunkard into a
haven of rest, if he will follow it; but is
there no refuge for those poor,
fallen, depraved creatures? They,
like you, kind reader, Were fondled
on the breast of some loving mother.
They are The daughters Of some
one. Will you turn from them and for
sake them because they are fallen? City
Fathers, the public approves of your
move to suppress vice, but they do not
approve of your expressing the poor un-
fortunates because they are pursuing AN
unlawful calling" If the existence of
such IAN evir' is necessity, then pro-
vide laws similar to those in France reg
ulating and governing such institutions,
Do not coerce them into abandoning
their wicked pursuits without presenting
an avenue Of escape from their hell
bound calling. Advise the Legislature
of this State to make a legitimate call
ing, and then provide that they may
have an opportunity to tread the paths
of virtue instead of vice. Set aside, if
YOU will, portion, if not the whole, of
the fines or license so collected to main
tain those who will willingly, ayel and
they will gladly avail themselves Of an
opportunity to reform. That they will, |
know, for often is it announced in the
papers, Another fallen one tired of
iife-another cyprian gone. These
miserable creatures, tired Of life and
having no refuge on earth among men,
rather seek the dread unknown, and risk
the chances Of the mercy Of benignant
creator; OF, If plunging into an endless
hell, endure the torment they are subject
TO. Let us have Magdalene Hospital.
The price of ones good name is without
value, but what would be the price of
one soul saved from hell and its tor
ments9 City Fathers, act well your part,
that when your lives shall have ended,
those who have followed an unlawful
calling viii, through your Instrument
ality, meet you in eternal bliss.
Tqrsrf aetfaIt EIMA.