The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-12
Save the Young Men.


Yesterday morning Rev. ]. A. Rondtbaier, thu
Tabernacle Church. preached from the text Ii
Samuel, xviii. %, sis the young man Absslom
SAFE" The story u Absslom, the son of David.
he said. is a familiar page Of Old Testiment bis
tory. For nearly 1000 years it has been one Of
the Bibles danger signals to the world. 1t is
throughout tragedy drawn in strong lines.
1t is story Of crime written in blood. II .
modern novel writer were 10 weave the details
of this Bible story into book, 1t might very
properly be entitled. "Absalom-a Fathers
Failure The tragedy Of Absalom finds some OF
Its roots IN David o early manhood, but the evil
results 10 the family life that followed were not
enacsd by the deepest penitence and the most
poetic expressions Of coutrition.
The story, the preacher continued, IL an index
TO history. The young man has always been .
factor Of great power in the worlds advance or
retrogression. According 70 the present eoosti-
tuition OF things he largely makes and unmakes
the happiness ana peace of the world. II. as
Goethe says, "the destiny OF any nation at any
given time depends on the opinions OF the
young men who are under twenty-five years Of
age it certainly becomes q question OF the
greatest moment for all true patriots and Chris
tians to ask, els the Young man safer 1t is a
question that comes often with q tremor of
anxiety to father and mother as they watch the
growth and development OF the boys OF the
family. 1t 10 only fool who says, 'the hight
ming will never strike me" and next to that
fool stand the man and woman who lull them
selves into false security aud inactive com
placeucy with the c0nceit that Our child never
can GO 9rope.s
AL through the generations history repeats
itself with terrible warning. From households
of sanity purity there can 60 out monsters OF
can come children of nendish dispositions
Facts, men and women, Put to flight all theories.
all conceits, on this question. Say not. then,
MY child cannot go wrong. but put is this way,
MY child snall not 60 wrong" La the young
man safel In the light OF startling facts aud
figures. It is Of the highest importance that the
church should ask the question.
"a few weeks ago." said the preacher, "the
following count was taken IN considerable city
IN Indiana. On Saturday evening, between 6
One saloon alone had $50 visitors, Of whom
twelve were drunk and led Eve little boys by the
hand. The next morning the count in the Prot
estant churches showed l75 men. last night q
count was made in our own city of Indianapolis
Six ssloons were visited by SEA men during one
hour Of the evening. To-day the count will be
made Of men 10 our churches ] give these
figures that they may no q stimulus to u.s.
Several influences are at work TO better this
condition OF things. among which 10 the Young
Mems Christian Association. IL is also right
hand power OF the church. IL needs every help
and promotive inspiration from the united
church OF Jesus Christ The Y. NJ. q A is not
q club or an athletic society; its reading-rooms.
gymnasiums and other paraphsrnalia are only
its graphing hooks. They are doing their
work and bring young men into conditions and
under influences where Christ can be pressed
upon them. Its frat aim is to reach 10 the
broad circle OF its influence the sons and
brothers OF our homes and by the grace OF pre-
vention save them from falling to the level Of
traEps and strays. What the association wants
is sense of ownership on the part Of the
church. II 10 her work that the association is
doing add 1t needs her guidance, help and sup
port"