The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-03-21
Night Life of Young Men.

ture in Oorinthian Hall upon "The Night
Life of Young Men," The audience,
though small. was of superior intelli-
gence, and listened with the closest atten-
ton to an able effort. There was, how
ever, noticeable absence of young men.
Although many of them in this city may
be perfectly familiar with night life,
they could not fail to have been inter-
ested in much the doctor had to say in
regard to the matter. He spoke with
out manuscript, and though not a great
orator, his delivery was very forcible and
pleasing. AS to the subject matter of
his lecture, it was interspersed with brill
liant descriptions and sound philosophi-
cal deductions.
Upon being introduced DR.. Muller
spoke substantially as follows: From
early times discourses have been deliv-
cred to young men with reference to
health, temperance and integrity. These
elements went not only to make up the
ll-being of manhood but of woman
hood as we'll. Upon them depends our
success or failure in life. Yet one night
has often been sufficient to scuttle the
ship of many young mans hopes, char
acter and promise. Night is the harvest
of debauchery and crime. More sin is
committed during the dark hours of the
twenty four than during the light of many
days. This is especially true in our cities.
When the machinery of business stops,
the machinery of destruction begins. In
the night, when we look out upon the
street, we look out upon different world
than in the day time. As the young man
passes up the street, he beholds the long
lines of lamps, and the brilliant trans
parencies. Music from places of amuse-
ment greets his ears. Theatres and ball
rooms are open to receive him. De
bauchery and sin have full sway. And
the thousand mills of allurement aud
destruction, though they grind slowly
they grind out the hope and happiness of
thousands. The pitfalls, which are only
open at night, entrap many young man,
and he sinks, never to rise again. In the
shadows crime is coursing, and there goes
up a wall of agony which, could we hear,
would startle us.
SO when we look out we ask the watch
man the hour of night and the policemen
the whereabouts of our young men. They
would be unwilling to have their parents
know where they assemble and pass their
hours in revelry. Should they be dis
covered in the accustomed haunts, some
would hide themselves from society,
while others for shame would seek the
grave of the suicide.
The night life of young men is becom-
ing the great question OF society. God
has given the man health and strength,
and to disregard those laws which govern
their bodies is suicidal madness. Yet
there are thousands who are dying on ac-
count of their disobediepce. Upon the
right and left they sink into premature
graves. Then comes the apology that
hard work and unfeeling employers
brought them to an untimely end But
the truth is there are more young men
who die from their irregularities than
from hard honest toll. God made us
for work. Look at the men who have
labored every day and reached the ages
of seventy aud eighty years. There are
Franklin, Bryant, Vanderbilt and A. T..
Stewart. These men took care of their
nights. They allowed the furnaces to
cool off; gave time to their powers and
faculties. SO let young men see to it that
they do not misuse their body. AT home
they should seek the rest, recreation and
amusement that they seek elsewhere. 1t
is no wonder that so many die when to
their regular work they add revelry and
dissipation.
Let US look at the question from a
standpoint other than sanitary. The
young man who has cultivated mind
! Z, aA at
in this country Neither are they, as
some say, the gift of God. If all would
make use of the time and opportunities
that they have, no man need remain ig-
norant. Educated persons are in demand
everywhere. 1t is far cheaper and far
better to hire men with brains to back
their work than those who have none at
all. An education is the best legacy that
can be given to Il young man. There is
no use his saying that he has no time nor
opportunity to improve his mind. Let
him read of the life of Horace Greeley.
There is no use of saying he is too old.
Let him study the biography of Cato.
If he will spend his evenings properly he
will be astonished with the amount he
may learn. Five years will make him
familiar with Greek, Latin, philosophy,
English literature and other branches of
knowledge.
After young man comes home weary
of toll, he thinks he cannot study, but
must seek other enjoyment. But he
should remember that if he passes his
evening in reading history or science,
his body is resting for the morrow's work.
There are many, however, who not only