The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-09-16
GUARDIANS OF MORALS.
Rev. L. w. BarPreaches a Ser
mon on a Good Live Topic.
OFFICIALS AND THEIR DUTY.
The Dissertation of the sabbath and
the Manner in which it is
Winkcd at-A Word
About the Press.

The Rev. L. W. Barr, pastor OF the
Third Presbyterian Church, Eighth
ward, delivered veIy interesting dis.
course last evening. His theme was;
"Guardians OF Public Morals-Wherein
Municipal Officers and Newspapers fail
to do their part"
His text was from Isaiah Lvi: HIP, as
follows: "Yea, they are greedy dogs
which can never have enough, and they
are shepherds that cannot understand
they all look to their own way, every
one for his gain, from his quarter. Come
We, say they, l will fetch wine and we
will fill ourselves with strong drink; and
tomorrow shall be as this day, and much
more abundant"
Mr.. Barr preiaced his sermon by say
ing that he was before his congregation
on this occasion TO plead in behalf OF
public morals and righteous laws. He
referred to the fact that in olden times
Jerusalem had her watch towers and
watchmen in them who were guardians
Of the public welfare. 1t was their duty
to give the alarm when an enemy APP
preached, and thereby protect their sa-
cred city from the invasion OF foe.
In like manner, every city should
have watchmen guarding her borders
against the enemy who would destroy
her social. moral and religious interests.
But who are the guardians OF these great
institutions which bless our land and
cities2 Many seem to think that the
minister alone should be held RESPONSE
Die for the moral and religious condition
of the community, aud no one else need
concern himself about it; but let us
remember that the officers in our cities
and State, and the newspapers are placed
in the WatCh.tower TO look after the well
fare OF the people. Faithful guardians
should every one of them be to sound
the alarm when the enemy approaches,
and see that laws are enacted and en-
forced for the well.being OF the masses.
l plead for the laws which command
obedience to Sabbath rest. Society will
have periods OF rest from labor; and il
these are not made occasions Tor tue pro-
motion of virtue they will be for the pro-
motion OF vice.
Whatever may have been the origin OF
the Sabbath-a day. rest among heath
en- nations; whatever may be the view
which is entertained OF its sacredness,
this much is certain: Men will have a
period Of cessation from labor. The only
nuestion is. how shall it be observed ?
all can see how such day OF relaxation
can become OF immense good to any
community or how it may be the occa-
sion Of extending the evils OF intem.
perance, profanity, RIGHTEOUSNESS and
crime. Important benefit result from
the right observation Of the Sabbath to
any city. All see, who stop to think, that
the Christian Sabbath contributes TO the
prosperity and safety OF the Nation.
No institution has ever contributed 80
much to elevate the American mind to
diIuse order, peace, dcCenCy among
men, and perptuate all that is valuable
in society, rs the Sabbath. 1t is deeply
to be regretted, therefore, that this di.
yinely appointed institution is so abused
in our city. AS it is,many make tia time
ofrevelry and pleasure seeking. The Sab.
bath is the occasion of more vice and
crime than oil the other days OF the
week. What God would mike OF the
greatest blessings man has made the Oc-
casion which brings upon himself Gods
curse.
What do the signs OF the times indi-
cate rs the duty OF all our cities watch
men? Is it not that they do their duty
faithfully in the interests OF all peace
loving and true Cititi2ens? Such the
laws command, and such the people
should demand.
No man should darO ask, much less
hold the highest gift Of honor in our city
who winks at the violation Of laws.
Wheeling has Sabbath laws, dead in the
hands Of those whose duty it is to en-
force them. Evil walks our streets, and
none regard it. Crime is committed and
none layeth it to heart.
l have heard it said, "Better for the
boys to play ball on Sunday than lay
around saloons or play cards." l
have heard officials say, "Ii citizens
don't complain needn't" And with
| ink and pen write out permits, for
would.be Violators Of the Sabbath laws
to violate them.
The, Mayor and his assistants hold
their positions rs sacred trusts from the
people. The laws that exist upon the
statute book dictate for them their
course; with these laws they are to
guard the city against any and all enc
mics, and no man should be allowed to
violate the dictates OF these laws; and
not be called to account, unless some
one complain"
The laws themselves complain, by the
voice Of every citizen which put them
on the statute. A citizen Of Wheeling
told rue that on a certain Sabbath two or
three weeks ago, he saw not less than
twenty men enter saloon on Market
street. A physician said he entered a
saloon.keeper's home on professional
visits ON n Sabbath day and found the
clerk busy waiting on customers In .
back room.
The daily papers often call the alten.
ton OF the public to these onan viola.
tons OF the law. Are the officers of the
city the only ones who know nothing of
these violations OF law? / tell You thew
are not ignorant Of the facts which
therein exist.
Last year the moral condition of our
city was reported to have been circulated
broadcast over our country, placing its
morals far down in the scale Of purity.
Morality hung its head in shame. The
press reproved those who would take up
suCha report concerning the fair name Of
our city, and yet the facts exist, which
should make every purity loving citizen
blush with shame. Righteous laws are
daily violated under the eyes of the city
officials, and they do not cry aloud
against it. The many phases of Sab
bath Dissertation permitted in our city
all call upon those who are to guard her
people against the wrongs which de-
stroy her peace.
The newspapers also are guards OF the
public. They exert mighty influence
over the public mind. The people be-
lieve the paper they read. The papers
can lift the people to a higher, or they
can pull the people down to a lower
moral level. True, a perverted taste
will crave, even demand, immoral liter
atuFn and M dnuht a raFtoin alamapf