Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-31
The Language Of The New York Pulpit.

The language Of the New York Pulpit.
The intense public feeling among the best
citizens of New York city regarding the cor
ruptions and crimes which have for years
prevailed under Tammapy rule, is strongly
indicated by the bold and patriotic words
that came from many of the church pulpits
last Sabbath. We give below the tone and
force of two sermons, which are in general
accord with many others reported in the
New York papers
Rev. DR.. J. L. Campbell, of the Licking
ton Avenue Baptist Church, preached to a
large congregation taking for bis subject
the present condition of New York city,
and pictured the result if Christ came here.
His text was Luke xix, 81; "He beheld
the city and wept over it." DR.. Campbell
said 10 substance:
"If Christ came to New York city today
he would find sin and corruption infestir g
our city government, vice Haunting itself
under the protection of the authori-
paying tribute to those in power, and
the saloon dominating every other in
fluence. He would find hosts of children
growing up unrestrained by any sort of re-
ligious Influence and subjected to every
kind of temptation through the unrestrained
vice that prevails. He would find dense
multitudes of people not connected with
any church and having no religious convic-
tons, and would discover that if all the
churches of every creed were crowded there
would still be over million of people for
whom there would be no room, while all
could be accommodated at all times by the
saloons which yawn for their victims at
every corner.
"The forces of evil are at work on every
side. The habit of intemperance has in
vaded almost every household. and has
made every tenement district hotbed of
vice and immortality, while not home is
free from danger of the faint and corrup-
ton of the saloon.
"The ruins of great cities are always of
pathetic interest. They had wealth, wis
dom, art, science and culture, but these
could not save, because sin had destroyed
them. The same forces of sin are at work
here, and unless they are checked, they
will destroy our city.
eff Christ came to New York city he
would rally the people under His standard
and drive out the cohorts of sin that seem
to be so impregnably fortified among US.
He would raise the fallen, succor the weak
and the foes of righteousness would fall
before him."
Rev Or. BoIIes Declares That II Lies Wholly
in Honest Voters Hands.
Rev. E. C. Bolles, pastor of the Church
of Eternal Hope, on West Eighty first street,
preached on Good Government"
"We have become so accustomed to endur-
ing injustice" he said, "that we think it
must always be so; and only by comparing
our city with the ideal city can we learn our
insulted rights and our neglected duties.
In republic we are supposed to govern
ourselves; and the announcement which
shocks us so much is really our own. We
are our own despots, bosses, oppressors, if
we tamely submit to public office becom-
ing public scandal or private theft.
Government must be conducted by i'm
perfect agencies, but we have right to de-
mand that we shall not be plundered by
thieves, nor bounded by brutes nor see the
laws, which were made protect us, sold out
by those who are uniformed to enforce
them; nor have criminals set in the seats
of authority and judgment.
"In the immediate cause which calls SO
loudly to US today there is no figure more
impressive than the man who has dared and
done so much to exalt the honor of his
adopted city by confronting its organized
crime and exhorting US to cast off its yoke.
If we succeed letters of gold will not be
bright enough to write his praises. If we
fail today he has hope and courage and con-
secration enough to lead us again, and to
final success"