Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-12-12
AIDS TO MORALITY.
Every Timely CiviIizing Influence Is Also
= Reforming One.

Every Timely CiviIizing Influence Is Also
a Reforming One.
Many people imagine that the only
ways in which public and private NOR
atty can be improved are those definite
and direct methods which appeal at once
to the conscience and the heart. Preach
ing and teaching, persuading and warn
ing, exhorting and encouraging are in
strumentalities worthy of all honor,
and those whose abilities qualify them
for such tasks should receive every pos
sible stimulus to exert them in so noble
a cause But il is a great mistake t.
suppose that these are the only means
to promote morality. Every truly civil
ling influence is also a reforming one
BY this we do not mean that miscalled
civilization which multiplies wants and
increases luxury and develops refine
ment in a few a. the expense Of the
many, but that advancement of minC
and Of knowledge which is forever dis
closing better methods Of living and
diffusing them among the whole people.
DIR. Howard Crosby, president Of the So
ciety for the Prevention Of Crime, II
portunities Of observing the condition o.
morality in that city. has recently de
clared that the moral condition of New
York has vastly improved during the
past few years. and that fifty years ago
although there was far less of the
foreign element than there is now, {
low condition of morality existed tia
would not be tolerated at the presen
time. What is true of New York il
this respect is equally true of Om
other cities, and if there be any pes
simist who points TO the wcll-knOwI
corruption and vices which still exist a:
a refutatiOn of this statement. we would
remind him that the very fact that sucl
things are now brought to the light
discussed, and condemned, is a proc
that they are on the decline. When {
community is deeply sunk in immor
ality, little or no comment is made OF
the fact. When we come to seek int
the causes Of this Improvement We
shall find that among the most promi
nent are the practical results of scien
tific progress and the civilizing tenden
cicS Of the age. There is no question
that dirt. disease and darkness are prev
alent sources of vice and crime, and
whatever influences are brought to beaI
against them will also press heavily
against immortality. The increasing
value set upon health. as shown alike il
sanitary laws and regulations and in the
greater willingness manifested by the
community to understand and adopt
hygienic modes of life, is beyond dis
pute. The Improvements in house
building and drainage; the introduction
of water, pure and plentiful; the freeI
admission of fresh air; the better sys-
TENS OF ventilation: the brilliant light
ing up of our city streetS-all contribute
TO the prevention of crime and to the
spread of a higher type of morality.
while increasing the health, peace and
comfort of the community. And when
to all these we add the better and
wider education given to the rising
generation than was thought possible
fifty years ago, we shall find abundant
reason for the moral advancement which
has been made. There are some
persons who feel quite powerless to help
on the cause of reform or to improve the
moral character of d single individual,
because they have no gift for influence
ing men by direct appeal. They have,
perhaps tried and failed, and so, al
though they would like to do some good
in the world, they are hopeless of any
success. Let such take courage as they
remember how many Indirect, yet most
effectual, methods there are of accom-
pliShing this end. Let them look ovei
the r..ultitudes of civilizing agencies
that are silently working in the inter
estS Of morality. and attach themselves
to such as most heartily engage their
interest. Every intelligent individual
muss be in sympathy with some of them:
and it is just there that his services are
needed and will be most valuable. MOI
let him make the mistake of surprising
that he is thus working upon a lower OF
inferior plane. II is in works of benevO-
lence and reform. just as in all other
kinds of work-that which a man can dc
best is the very best thing. for him to do.
SO. if one man is interested in sanitary
schemes and another in evening schools:
if one is anxious for free libraries and
another for free parks; if one can helr
to secure good roads and clean streets
and another can aid in protecting chill
dren or dumb animals from ill-treatmcnr
let each be assured that in such exc
tions he is doing his share in PROMOTE
morality and in elevating character
surely and as effectually az those who's
peculiar province it is to teach or tc
preach. to admoniSb or TO advise.-Phil-
adolphia Ledger.