The Brookhaven leader., 1891-01-22

hurtful effects most thoroughly prove
it evil. 1t is the same with sinful
amuscments their evil effects may
be quite pcrceptible in life, or may
crop out here and there, revealing the
harnacles fastened on, that will eat
into the strongest mind. If we wish
to rear child into strong and
healthy man, do we swathe its limbs
in bandages, and then pray God to
make them strong and nimble do we
allow it to come in contact with con-
tagious diseases, then beg God to
keepit wellf Far from it. We do
nothing for its body that would be
productive of evil now, or in after
years. But how many parents recog-
nize the fact, that in each child is
secret self, higher motive power,
the living creature within, which is
making its way each moment toward
an eternal destinyP 1t requires the
same regular and watclful care, as
does the body, to insure its we'll being.
But we invite moral disease nay,
we encourage the corruption of this
higher motive power, when we allow
our little ones to attend the various
sinful amusements of the day. Idle
ness and irreverence for God and
man, two potent evils, are the effects,
in great measure, of sinful amuse-
ments. There seems to be great
antipathy to labor among the young
of this generation, that BODIES no good
to church or State. Honest work is
said to be unbecoming in young men
of gentility, and quite too slow way
of acquiring the funds necessary for
the many demands of these sons of
promising genius. Some easy, genteel
and expeditions mode must be resort
ed to; by gambling in some form,
horse racing or perhaps they might
aspire to clownship or actor in a show.
Now the attendance or participating
in these kinds of amusements fosters
idlcness, by instructing the young in
that corrupt way of "dead- beatingn
honest labor. The youth must edu-
cate himself in vulgarity and unclean
jokes, be proficient in the practice of
profanity, skilled in the use of slang
and silly compliments. All this, yea,
and ten times more of like character,
he easily acquires by the constant at
tendance of nearly any public or pri-
vate amusement. But see the young
bipeds, who march stick in hand, in
the rear of cigarette to the house of
God. They strive to show their indie
pendence Of Him by talking, laugh
ing, smoking and otherwise Outraging
all the laws of reverence. Their
young hearts are too full of unclean
ness to feel interested in the pure
word of God too engrossed are they
with the ways of the wOrld-yestcr-
days horse race, last nights frolic-
to hear of the way of life everlasting.
They exhibit their superiority and
contempt for all that is venerable and
good in human character by profane,
lewd songs and comments. Their I'M
sought advice and opinions, are free
ly given on all topics of conversation,
with tone and look that seems to
say Solomon in all his glory and wis
dom was but dim compared to US.
Upon what shall we charge this
flippancy and irreverence Is it to be
attributed to the parents, the teacher
or their various sinful amusements?
and does not the actual state of things
in this country, show that our strong
est language is not misapplied in
painting these evil effects. 1t seems,
there is blight affecting the minds of
our young girls too; for self must be
beautified and glorified at any cost.
No expense, no pains must he spared
that they may be as "glittering stars"
in the galaxy of fashion. The fire.
quent attendance on balls, parties,
theatres, ETC., is deemed needful for
their social education, so they are al
lowed to attend. Here they learn to
utter slang with peculiar grace, to
prattle simpering nonsense, to play
the hypocrite in their intercourse with
others, and to be artificial creatures
of an uncertain kind. 1t is in these
"whirl pools" of sOciality they re-
ceive into their hearts the seeds of
envy, malignity, and self-idolatry,
which will yield an abundant crop of
the Interest fruit. To be admired
seems the one all-absOrbing thought.
Let men, even of empty heads and
vicious hearts, flatter and praise, and
they are delighted, and especially so,
if q little SANDER, little invidious
comparison, between several sister
candidates for worship, is judiciously
mixed with it. What room is there
in such hearts for God 2 What time
for Bible reading or study For the
Bible whispers no words of fiattery;
nor do thoughts of higher life come