Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-06-26
YOUNG MEN.

BY ONE WHO SPEAKS FROM EXPERIENCE.
The cities increase much more rapidly in pop
ulatiou than the country communities. This in
crease consists largely If young men. For no
other class are there So many and subtle forms
of temptation, i'll the city, AS for them.
What shall we do? stop them from going to
the cilesi We cannot. The class Of young
men whom no ehJrt can dlssuade from
seeking place amid the rXcitements of some
thronged metropolis, are the very ones, above
others, who are untitled To 20 there, and are
more liable TO ruiu US the result OF going. Ii
any Of young man of the country IS mrditl-
ting an exchange ofthe "eventenUr Of his way
for the din and jostle and canning crIftness of
city life and associations, and fears no danger
to himself, he viii most speedily and fatally fall
into some snare that viii he set for his feet,
"Fools venture on, where angels fear to tread
The class of young men who are less inclined
TO leave the rural home, the farm, or the shop,
or store OF their childhood are those who by cd
ucation, habits and temperaments would be most
likely 10 encounter with safety aud resist with
hrmness the many appearances OF evil.
True, some influence may be eXeitedt to keep
back the Adventures and turn away from the
cities the increasing tide of the young that float
thitherward-yes We may say HOdt idly thither-
ward, borne on by restiveness, curiosity, love OF
exhiliration, aversion 10 steady work OF vague
and dangerous dream OF suddenly rising to
wealth. But the effect Will not cease while the
cause continues.
As long as city life affords such means OF
qualifications 10 young men, as long us there
are 50 very many gilled dclusiuni to be-
witch them, as long as SO many fair though
false promises are made TO them, and so many
deceivers are playing heish arts for their ruin,
so long will they be drawn onward, within those
very circles OF influence which themselves
know when they pause 10 reflect, are but the IA
tai forces of ruin coiliug about them.
safe place for young men? Many 90 there is
norant Of what awaits them. Many 90, actu.
ated by worthy desire to obtain business, ill.,
crease their earnings and pursue more success
full career than the counry affords to them
They leave their homes, pure in habits, morals
and aims. Far indeed from them is any thought
of q deliberate course of vice.
But their hopes of obtaining business are very
often doomedto disappointment. Their very
innocence becomes 4 weakness in the prescnc,
of new temptations, and the traps that hav,
been set with hellsh guile for their captivatior
are the more likely to prove the more sadly sue
eessful.
They love society, yearn for friendship an'
sympathy, and seek associa ions. I his tenden
cy simply natural in lf,indicates no peryerse
ness of disposition or aptness Tor evil compan
ionship, will nevertheless prove Il t,lla one, I'M
der abuse and deceit, such as will inevitably b
practiced upon them.
Il
do, with increasing swell each yea of the in
flowing tide SHOULD deeply impress the Christian
people who live in the cities. They have a duty
sacred duty, TO this class. l'I>'nis, churches
Young Mems Associations nd truI1aiance or
PLANTATIONS should iyrrttS, it.i' ,NoffS in mi
behalf. Labor thus hrsioN' c,tuu' be- in var
1t must yield a hunarrd fulu' Of good frsnlts.-
No young man should he allowed 10 enter Il cit
as dweer there, without rnrHNllE early an
frequent and alleclipnai' l'tc.Ioa, from God
children.
They should br suugh, uu', IT yul wait "a
them to come 10 sou. many All Lrvet seek 80
or see you. Jesus went ahnu dplas gpnd
N0trlbute to his divine lnlrL'l ,uute itv eve
excelled this in stlg.cstiyeness and seduly: 81
thou and do likewise. The field is IL hDpJfl
one. You may not purify the life alre lly de-
graded, but you can by patient, loving clTnr,.
save the innocent from degradation.
You may not turn back the Brandywin,
but you can guide the course OF a pure sprin
as its gushes forth seeking some channel
which to flow. Take these young men earl,
when they first come, inquire after them, lin
them, take them by the hand, become acquain
ed with them, sympathSe with them, help then
advise them.
Places for safe aud pleasant resort should !
multiplied and made more accessible and no
attractive for the young men. Often til,
would prefer reading room or prayer-mee
ing, or a seat in Gods house rather than a S
loon. But when restless and lonesome, The
are quite likely to enter the first door tn
swings open to them, and respond to the fir
voice that sa!ut"s them-even though il be
door OF temptation, voice nf treachery
Systematic plans should be- adopted IN eve
city for the rescue Of young men who ent
them, from temptations, first allurements, FL
perils This is enphatically Christian dut