Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-04-04
THE CITY'S MORALS.
REV. DR.. FULLERTON TELLS HOW AND WHY
THEY SHOULD BE PURIFIED.
Rev. Afford Delivers Discourse Upon Dress
Interesting Revival Meetings at the
Disciples Church.

At the Thomson NJ. L. Church on the
Island, last evening, the pastor, Rev Dr.
Fullerton, preached an interesting sermon
to large congregation, upon "City Evan
gelization." He started by saying that
few weeks ago there assembled in Pitts
burg a convention of delegates sent from
all parts Of the country, representing the
various evangelizing agencies and societies
for the purpose of considering how to put
in successful operation means and agencies
for the moral improvement of society. The
delegates recommended that ministers
should preach upon that topic at least once.
In compliance with that request he selected
the theme for last evenings discourse.
That there is need of preaching upon
this subject cannot be disputed. Those
Who are acquainted with city life know
there are vast masses who do not attend
any of our churches, who remain away
from God, thinking they are not wanted.
They think the churches are Tor those wear
ing tiue clothes, and occupying high posi-
tons in society, those who are more nearly
related TO what we call the aristocracy.
We know that this is only a thought and
not real fact but it is difficult to remove
that erratic notion from their minds.
The question arises, how is this barrier
TO be removed How are we TO reach the
masses Of society, the non-church going
peoplel He would interpolate this idea,
that we must not antagonize the public
press. We can do nothing withoutit. We
ind there are many things we do not sane
ton or endorse, but we have not the power
to change il. The press IS largely what
the people make It, a newspaper, as
business speculation. tries in its own way
and in its own spere 10 reach all the masses,
and to provide for their wants. They must
Go this if they would be sue
cessful. The newspaper from the
standpoint of a business enterprise, is
not much TO blame, although from
Christian standpoint we would fain make
it purer aud better There is only one
way to elevate the morals of the press,
and that is 20 purify society. Just in pro-
portion as the masses become purified will
the press aspire to a loftier standard, to
meet the demands of purified community.
There is a wonderful power in the press
and we must honor and respect II, even II
we love it not. As we eXalt and evangelize
the teeming masses in the city, we will ele-
vate the tone OF the press, until 1t becomes
as Christian as ourselves.
DR.. Fullerton briefly reviewed the origin
success which met the efforts Of General
Booth and others, and the subsequent
spread Of the idea through Scotland, and
in our own country, in New York, Phila-
delphia, Baltimore, Chicago and other
large cities. The question is coming to the
front all over the land-hOw shall we in
crease our church population! How shall
we spread the gospel among the degraded
classes. 1t is becoming the question ofthe
Church and Of the cities. IL is not wholly
solved yet, and il is not wholly unsolved,
for the great heart of the Church is touch
ed as IL was never touched before.
The question which suggests itself in
this connection is: Why should not the
masses in this city be saved! There are
some 10 or 20 Protestant churches in this
city, and if we include the Roman Cath
ollcs, we have "a or % churches. With this
power for good, what might not be done 10
bring this city up 10 higher standard OF
morality; to crush out the demon Of in
temperance; 20 drive the devil back TO his
den. With this influence at our back
what might we not do to see that our city
has the proper officers to manage municipal
affairs. These % churches, with united
aud earnest effort could accomplish almost
anything they undertook. They could
erect a breakwater. to drive back, or cut in
twain Tue inHuenCe VI Tue pSIulCIouo OtO-
ment from the slums which corrupts the
ballot box, and is too often successful 10
electing its own candidates to municipal of
fees. The time is here when the churches
will arise, and must arise IN their strength,
and with the mighty power of Christian
love and Christian influence. must 60 for
ward, assert their rights and save SOdom
and Gomorrah from destruction.
In concluding, DR.. Fullerton said that al
though his residence in Wheeling was
brief, he knew as much about local cleo
tons as was necessary to intelligently
preach upon his theme He might be called
a fanatic, an enthusiast, crank, but in The
conviction that he was right he proposed TO
move right ahead. Last evening he pre-
sented but the outline of his subject, and
on next Sabbath evening he will deal with
stern facts