The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-21
The Social Evil.

does not appear 10 OHeE hcy TeuouS VIM
ever. But as we give space to all sides OF
the question, Charity" is allowed equal
facilities with others. He is no doubt hon.
est in his opinion, but his way of reaching
il is not by any means new. We are
forced TO conclude that "Charity" is re-
lieious enthusiast and red-ribbon extrem-
ist, whose fervor in the cause he advocates
has buried his judgment and carried him
far adrift from the real discussion OF the
Scarlet Question" the subject he at
tempts to handle in the appended commu-
nication. Below is the letter as received
by us, verbatim:
Scarlet Question.
Moline, MS, Dec. 49, 1878.
Editor Argus:
In your issue of the 18th read with
much interest q short article on The
Scarlet Question" He has hit the nail on
the head, and the sound thereof is Eek
travagauce. And can we, as honest men,
saddle this the greatest of all society evils
upon our mothers, wives and sisters. 1t is
mean and cowardly. AT this moment of
the worlds history there is scarcely an ar
or ornamental but was invented for some
good purpose, and if the inventions of the
inventor are prostituted by evil persons for
selfish and bad ends, the honest-hearted
inventor, and maker, are not responsible
for the evil results that follow 10 the wake
of extravaganza and waste, No young
widowed mother, no orphaned daughter
have been compelled to sell their souls
salvation" for food to eat or clothes to wear
or to get food for the children left to their
keeping by Him who has said come unto
me all ye that are weary and heavy laden
and l will give you rest" Your tilt at the
good and noble men who compose the min
isterial corps of our country is quite in
keeping with your entire piece" most
heartily endorse it, 1t is a true index to
your early education and your present
composed condition, or, 10 other words,
mind at rest. | endorse your KIDD opin-
ion OF the good men and women who have
lent their aid in building the thousand
and one" churches that are scattered
broadcast over our land. You look upon
them as idiots and fools. who stand in your
path, that you and those who drink at
your fountain may be obstructed in your
eDdeavors to overthrow the good work of
"our blessed Saviour aud Redeemer"
Yes sir, endorse all you say. You are
capital theolOgian aud you seem 20 be so
at home with your question. do not for
a moment doubt but you have always
"B. r. n. there. And also think if
you aud all those who think, as you have
80 ably and fueutly expressed it, would
only not have b f. N. There" 80 much,
aud II, after being there, would in the
future remain way lrom there" the
Scarlet Question" in the city of Rock
Island, at least would soon cease to be
agitated, MERELY for the absence of an
agitatOr, or in plain language, for the want
OF the RAW MATERIAL Men of your
mind and way of thinking" do not know
that the money and capital that has been in
strumental 10 building the 500 900 church
es, that are everywhere to be seen, that
t0tereever Christianity has found foot
hold there is house erected to the wor-
ship of the true and living God, were not
built by the scanty purse of those whom
the world calls poor"
But on the other hand they were in the
mann erected by the rich in purse and
pure 10 principle. All free offerings to
their Lord" And it is to be hoped, for
Christ's sake that no one who ever gave
their means or lent their labor for the
building of temple here below in which
come to want or woe" by so doing.
Men who have B. Il. N. there" as q
rule thlrk the money that enters into the
building OF church, is as so much money
locked up in the churches" Let US look
into this Robt G. lngersol way of ex
pressing 1t. The poor man mines the
rock that builds the foundation for the
house; the poor man mines the rock that
makes the lime that builds the foundation
the poor man manufactures the brick thai
builds the walls and chimnies; the pooI
lumber men go to the distant forests and
fell the trees that are sawed into suitable
shape that the poor carpenter and Joiner
may lind work to do; the poor nail maker
the poor glass maker; the poor painter
aud, to make a long enumeration short, the
thousands OF poor men and women, who
are directly and indirectly benefited bv
the building and good equipage of one
common Insignificant church is quite in
calculabe
The larger and more expensive the build
ing, aud the more elaborate and costly its
furniture, the more beneficial 1t is to the
poor artisan t''and they who depend on
days labor as they can catch lt,''l for the
common necessaries of life.
a working man who is a brick mason nv
fishing of your Scarlet Question" that
he wished Moline was able to build a
church the size of our Congregational
church on every street corner ia the city
OF Moline" You advise the practice of
economy by those who use their means for
adjoining their homes and beautifying the
dwellings OF their ministers. Is it not true
that the so-called extravagant adornuents
for personal wear and the adornment of
our private and public buildings are all
manufactured by the poor of both sexes ?
And is it not true If the rich in ''worIdIv
goods" should practice strict economy the
poor should starve at their very gates cry-
Ing for bread2
We have in the United States about IS
700 ministers; they preach about lac. 900
sermons weekly, which bound with broth
erIy love, good will to mankind, and chart
~ Tor all, and they practice what thew
preach will admit that there are ex.
ceptlons when black sheep is discovered
ID the Fold" but they are quite rare. and
when discovered they are dealt with as
their cases demand; hut always with
mercy tempered down with charity. and
the iorgiving spirit of Christ. The chris
tan church does not claim to be infallible.
u does err aud will continue to do So AZ
long as 1t is governed by poor weak hu.
manity. And yet we see in this. the 18Th
century, the church is gradually growing in
grace, strength and usefulness. The more
wisdom the greater is our love for God. and
the more powerful becomes His kingdom