Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-04-12
WHAT WE HAVE COME TO

Ed. JoURNAL-iSr: The question what are
we coming to- having been twice propounded in
your paper over the non de plume of Traveller
It may not be uutnteresting TO consider what we
hare come to.
The writer does not intend 10 controvert the
opinion entertained, or the allegations set forth
by 'Traveler,.@fjr there is, alas too much truth
in them, but rather to state the result of my own
observation and experience.
First, then, | fear, there is a lamentable disre-
gard of truth among our people. Arising not SO
much from AZ aptitude for fasehot d. as from a
careless, and often reckless mode of expression.
crept into the pulpit And this habit cannot
be too strongly condemned, whether it prevails
in, or out ofthe sacred desk. 1t is fraught with
incalculable mischief, and If unchecked, must
result in disastrous conseq uences.
2l. We have come to look upon rice in its mul
titudnous forms, with greater leniency. II a
young man is notoriously proAigate, he is only
SAID TO be "a little wd.' Time ,oas when society
would have placed him under It's ban. When
young persons Of good morals would have shun-
ned his company as a moral pestilence.
81. The too prevalent custom Of prononcing
a maa smart who has over-reached another in
business transaction. is peculiar to our day.
| The writer has seen numerous instances where
dishonest men Systematically defrauded their
creditors, and by the techncalites Of law eva
ded payment of their just debts /, but the knowl.
edge of this by society did not exclude them
| from the social circle, or render them ineligible
t) Office. Is not this tacit encouragement for
others to go and do likewise
These things we have come to. And the end
is not yet
We have come to an irreverence for sacred
things. When men use tobacco and expectorate
its juices in houses dedicated and set apart for
religious worship, is it not proclamation, sac
rllege When a.species of gambling is resorted
t. for the purpose Of raising funds with which
t. carry on sacred cause, is it not irreverent ?
\ And has not this rreverence practically obiter-
ated the line Of demarcation which should ever
separate two essentially antagonIstc forces-the
world aud the church ? Have we not come
this 1t appears to me that there can not be
two opinions on this matter in the minds OF ob
servant and thoughtful persons.
| Do not think, sir, that these statements are
made in an uncharitable or unkind spirit fal
from it these DaIpabe facts have been for years
to tine writer source of deep regret. But is il
wise to ignore them because we may feel power.
less in view Of their eradication? Doubtless
these fragrant wrongs which have grown like
poisonous fmgi upon the body polite, are owing
in great measure 10 the .dscordant and het,
ersgenous elements ofwhich society is constitu-
ted. But 1t is, nevertheless, calculated to awak
en- in the mine Of the philanthropist, aud espec.
ely in the Christian, the liveliest interest and the
deepest solicitude.
Hoping these plain statements will not be pro
ductive of any unpleasant Selling among my fel
lows, but rat her tend to awaken their reflection
and arouse their attention to existing evils. the
matter is left in your hands with view of then
appearing in your valuable paper, If you deem
them worthy OF 50 prominent place.
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