The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-12
mr. pARKsuRsT.s CRUSADE.

The Rev. Dr. Parkhurst a minister OF the
Gospel breaches in New York city to very
large. wealthy and fashionable congregation.
His oppor,unities for usefulness or 'ne re-
verso are perhaps as large as those Oh any
other minister officiating in that great me-
tropolis. and how be may use or abuse 'hose
opportunities is naturally subJec, winch H.
terests many persons both there ana eise-
where. Recently he has brought himself very
notably before the public eye IN the perform
ance Of what be ayows and claims 10 % MN
isterial duty. but the circumstances unuer
which his performances took place are sucn as
10 arouse serious questions IN many renectNe
minds whether be WAS IN fact executing
the commands Of our Lord and Master or do
ing something altogether inconslsteu. Win
their letter and spirit. As described Dy Dr.
Parkhurst himself ID cour, upon the witness
stand. the feat which be performed was 'his'
TO Wit. That accompanied by detective ne
succeeded in securing an entrance INTO one Oh
the vilest dens of vice IN New J OK CITY, the
inhabitants OF the den supposing that no and
his companion had come there IN quest OF
suob amusemept as is furnished by the
place. The details Of what Or. Park
hurst witnessed and participated IN IN
this Stun. as described by himself.
are too Infamous TO be allowed any place in
the columns Of THY TINES, and we must
therefore beg our readers toimagine that they
were lust as vile as it is possible that they
could be. DR.. Parkhurst admits that he Sc
A. ind Ofr -
inhabitants TO believe that he was one OF that
class that resorts to such places for amuse-
ment, and he admits that be took part while
in the place. TO a certain extent. IN all that he
saw going on, and allowed the denizens to re-
main under the belief that he was in al respects
Just such person as they themselves were.
He justifes what he did by claiming that 1t
was the only way evidence could be secured
upon which such places could be convicted
and broken up, and he boldly proclalns and
maintains that he was simply executing the
functions and duties of minister Of the
Gospels in deceiying these people and frequent
ing these haunts.
A very serious question Of public morals Is
invoked IN this clam. and 1t Is thereforequite
in order for a secular journal to discuss Dr.
Parkhurst's course. although It should, IL
doing so, have tie temerity 10 differ IN opin-
ion with a church luminary so conspicuous rs
he. That such dens of iniquity should be
suppressed by every agency known 70 the law
goes Of course without saying. Their exist
ence. even any propensity 10 establishing and
maintaining them. Is a most melancholy com
mentary upon our civilization. But IS 1t con-
sstent with the teachings and professions Of
a minister OF the Gospel 10 introduce himself
bv deception and fraud TO view Of their or
pies that he may make himself an effective
party OF the agencies working for their sup
pressiony
The life of our Lord and Master upon earth
was one single sermon upon the text Thou
shalt not lie. and when Dr. Parkhurst pro-
cured an entrance to the New York dive by
causing its properties TO believe that he was
there to share in the amusements Of the
place. and when lie spent an hour there view
ing complacentlY all that occurred. be was
acting lie instinct with every element OF
baseness that is involved in any lie whatever
uttered by the lips. For him 20 say now that
he was justified in deceiying these people and
degrading his holy calling by the good to
society THAI he had in view, is to proclaim his
satisfaction with. and approval of the most
odious and base principle OF life ever put
forward. the doctrine that the end justities
the means, and to ignore tho denunciation
Of the Apostle Paul Of those who even say
Let US DO evil that good may come; whose
damnation is Just.
THE TINES dissents in toto from DR.. Park
bursts theory on this subject. and, as the
matter is one now paraded very much before
the public eye The TINES thinks itself called |
upon to give expression TO It's unqualified |
condemnation of his course.