Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-02-05
WARNING AND APPEAL.


The members Of the Ladies Christian Asso-
citation would hereby s~OlsmRiv warn all parents
against allowing their sons and daughters to
take part. as maskers, in the approaching
Carnival. and would warn especially against
the masquerade balls at nisht, as from the
testimony Of many who have come under their
care and observation, these are fruitful
sources Of sin and shame. Y
Even very young children imbibe a love for
such amussments that will be very difficult to
eradicate. and their tendency is to evil and
that continually.
Oh, mothers! let this sink deep in your
hearts, and act faithfully your part as the
guardians Of your ehildreA's virtue, ere it is
too late. Eternity alone will reveal the curse
this festival has been to our city, wherein the
innocent must suffer with the guilty. We
hope the time is not far distant when eur
people win rise en- mRsso and abolish 1t. In
the meantime Christians can do much toward
fastening this hoped-for event By expressing
their disapprobation Of it ia every possible
way. Discountenancing II would, at least, be
. powerful stimulus to moral courage and
help create a healthy public sentiment.
Christians, show your eolorsl How long
halt ys between two opinionsY If the Lord
be God. follow him; but if Baal. fellow him."
Are We doing our whole duty? What have wo
to fear when the Lord our God is on our sideY
"0h, let US be up and doing,
Still achieving, still pursuing"
We feel constrained to give this note Of
warning; and oh, may II be needed, for this is
40 individual matter. The curse will fall
more or less upon all. And oh. the bitter
wall when the Avenger cometh to pour out
the vial of his wrath 10 disease and death.
Has Memphis forgotten this wall? Cometh
there up no rounds Of warning from the year
1872 Cometh there no warning voice from
our Southern sister city, nov torn by internal
faction and strife?
See the vast amount Of money sacrificed to
these purposes, whom many churches and be-
nevolent objects are languishing for want of
funds to carry on the Lords work. Is this
extravagant merry-making and revelry wise
or merciful, when curl poor are begging for
bread and the innocent are going the down
ward road to ruin for the want of remunera-
tive employment
The cost Of one nights entertainment would
be sufficient, if rightly invested. to furnish
employment for hundreds now asking in vain
for work. In answer to this, it may be said,
We have q right to spend our money as we
please" Have you? Tho earth is the
Lords and the falness thereof. the world and
they that dwell therein" Whether you ac-
knowledge it or not you belong to the Lord,
aud lie will hold you to a strict account for
the use Of the talents committed to your care.
Ia view Of these solemn facts. how can wo
make such a sinful sacrifice. not only Of
monsy, but Of virtue and health? How many
a fair flower has been stricken down on those
or ~casiOnS to dFoop and die in sin and shame.
and many lives have paid the penalty Of phys
ioal exposurel And what Of our finances, our
Frustrated energies and paralyzed industries?
Has Memphis improved under this regime?
Instead. the is trying to creep out Of existence.
and God grant that 1t may be, and that she
may 'be born sgain.'
Are we going backward in the scale Of civil
~iEatisn. that We revive the customs Of Rom,
ar Italy, and enjoy them with 50 much zest?
Nay. we are q civilized, Christian people, gov
erned By civilized Christian rulers, and they
are the sacred guardians Of public virtue.
And in conclusion, we would appeal to our
wsrtAy mayor to make sr enforce such ordi-
nances as will c%iyilise or render this festival
as harmless as possible. WeWould especially
mention the indiscriminate exchange Of at
tire so common on This occasion, and which is
productive Of 30 much evil.