The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-13
A NEW CRUSADE.
The White Cross Society of New York to
Move on Vice and immortality.

NEW YORK, Feb 12.-Every pew in the Epis-
copal Church of st. John the Evangelist was
filled tonight, when Rector B. F. De Costa
opened the meeting in behalf of the white Cross
movement" which has for its aim ''the mainte-
nance of purity and the suppression of vice"
Many were present and We're attentive
listeners. Bishop Berry, of Iowa. and half a
dozen ministers, sat in the chancel
DR.. De Costa told of the organization of the
White Cross movement by the young men of
the parish less than year ago. 1t was modelled
after the movement started in England by the
Bishop of Durham. and carried on with the aid
of Miss Ella Hopkins, who had been marvellous
ly successful as a missionary, and had
wonderful Influence in stirring up the
men of England to sense of their duty in the
cause OF the publication of society The young
of the parish had undertaken to republish
the tracts that had been productive OF so
much good on the other side of the water. Five
of these tracts have already been issued. OF
the last a quarter of million had already been
sold in England. These tracts are addressed to
husbands and young men, and they urge them to
lead pure lives and use their efforts to influence
others to do SO. Dr. De Costa said the platform
of the White Cross movement has five planks
They are:
J. To treat all women with respect and protect
them from insult and harm.
q To put down all indecent language and coarse
jest.
g. To maintain the law of purity as equally binding
A. TO keep thyself from impurity and to spread
these principles among young men. and lead them to
adopt them.
1--WE all accept the fourth plank of the plat
form in theory" said Dr. De Costa 'but do we
all accept it in factl Do we not rather act in
direct violation of it2 Do we not tolerate that
in our highest officers that we would not toler-
oto foy ct ant in yaff iplE Ma ipoiS
that Caesars wife shall be above suspicion, but
what do we say of Caesar!
1T is the purpose of the White Cross move
ment to maintain that Caesar shall be held as
responsible for personal purity as Caesars wife.
If you are TO spurn the poor woman, who by
single STEP loses her virtue, what are you going
to do with the man who causes her downfalll
The White Cross missionaries say that he shall
be held to strict accountability; that the
woman shall not alone be punished
Upon Christian women great responsible
ity rests. PROFESSIONALLY they can be held
accountable for a great deal of the general
disr egard of these sound principles of morality.
Women have received into their society men
VINO are rich and handsome, and, in full knowl-
edge that these same men have ruined the
others daughters, will place their own daugh-
tiers in their arms to be whirled in the SEN
suous waltz, when any true would take
the villain by the collar and throw him out of
the house"
Bishop Berry was the next speaker. He
said that a movement of similar nature in
Iowa had created such an interest that the
newspapers issued extras giving full accounts
of the proceedings, that the people should
know that protest being made against
the rising tide of social immortality. Bishop
Berry said that men wanted renewal of the
right spirit in their hearts. SO that they could
feel the full force of the Sunday PRAYER for a
pure heart. Judge w. H. Arnoux spoke at
length upon the necessity of unfolding the
seventh commandment both in act and thought
collection was taken up in behalf of the So
cetY