The Irish standard., 1894-12-15
I AND AR 0UND The CITY.
DECAY OF SOCIAL PURITY.

DECAY or SOCIAL PURITY.
4 Father Keane's Impressive Address Last
Ii Sunday Evening.
Mora than 5000 WI rshippers at the
Immaculate Concept n Catholic Church
listened Sunday evening to an impressive
sermon BY Rev. Father Ksane, the lead
ing thought of the discourse being the
decay Of social purity and the dangers of
modern society life, says the Tribune.
The career of the victim OF the past
weeks terrible tragedy was taken as the
background of picture which in it's de-
tails formed sad commentary upon the
boosted civilization of today.
The evening was the annual public
NEE ing for the reception OF new mem
bers into the Young Ladies' Sodality OF
the church, and the service began by q
solemn procession of the ladies of that
society, 200 strong, through the aisles of
the church. chanting ''Ora Pro Nobis.
SanctaaM The sermon, which fol-
lowed the reception of 80 new members
and their investment with the blue rib
bon and badge of the society, was in re-
atty charge to the young ladies to en-.
ter upon their work with increased zeal.
The speaker said:
eTbere is a growing holiness on the
part of young ladies OF this country,
which betokens ill for their highest well
fare. The simple modesty 80 becoming
in young woman is fast giving way to
an alarming freedom, which is seen no
less in the indifference Of social inter
course than in the rude carelessness OF
the woman who rubs you on the street.
The evil speak of is the result Of meth
DDS recognized by society Of the day. A
night spent in dancing or at any OF the
so-called places Of amusement is followed
by loss of regard for the things before
held dear-the sacred relationships of
the home. :. Fond parents see no danger
in allowing their daughters to accede to
the demands Of society, risk almost
sure to prove fatal Public opinion has
become 80 dead to the delicacies of old
that no fear attaches to acts which are
often scarcely less than criminal. The
young woman attends her companion to
the wine house, or even INDUCES
with him in alluring games OF chance.
The past week has been terrible revela'
tion to me- of the extent to which these
things are carried on. The body Of q
murdered woman found upon yonder
lonely spot witnesses to the legitimate
conseq uences OF such life.
How many of our girls are guilty of
making appointments to meet those
whose character she knows not-respect
able, perhaps, with silk hat and pointed
shoes? How many that follow after
questionable men to seek cheap notoriety
from the glare and tinsel of fashionable
society? never dreamed that goo girls
ware so venturesome. I refer not ex
.clusively to the murdered girl. There
are others in this city more imprudent
every week than she was last week.
They escape from the effects of their acts
because there is no gain to result to their
destroyers You know as know that
crime stalks abroad in our very midst.
Brazen girls, lost to shame touch the
circle bordering their condition, aud these
the circle next above them, until the en-
tire fabric of society becomes contamin
ated.
Young ladies, your mission is two fo.d.
You are first to resist this growing ten
dency and counteract it. You must help
to create public sentiment which will
bring the flush of shame to the face, no
less of the woman who fees the watchful
eye of her husband, than the g>rl who
despises the loving care of her father
Society! How the name is abused! WHAT
sin is found even in palaces Of wealth!
Why is this possible? Because crime IS
winked at. Because there is no public
condemnation Of those who care nothing
Tor the proprieties, who indulge in prac
tices that are continually danning souls.
It shall also be your work to rescue
those that are fallen.
.. Many young girl walks the streets
homeless, friendless. Extend to her an
encouraging word. once had occasion
TO ask the girl whose funeral rites were
said in this church last week to become
q member of your Sodality. Would she
had done go. She would then have been
praying with us tonight She would
then have been given wisdom to direct
her talents to useful pursuits instead of
the evil practices that brought her ruin.
Her slayer, fear, is not an exception to-
day, perhaps more daring than the ma
iority of his class. The girl was l be-
lieve an honest victim Of his crime.
There are others in equal danger. l
charge you, go forth with mind illumined,
with character fortified to snatch many
from the threatening danger which sur
ro,1nda them"