The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-12-06
SAFETY FOR YOUNG MEN
Rev. DR.. Talmage Discourses Up
on a Timely Topic.
David,s Grief over the Death OF Absa-
iom Typical of the Feelings OF Mod
ern Fathers Over the Moral
Death OF Their Sons.

The following discourse by Rev. i
Dewitt Talmage was delivered befor
his Washington congregation. 1t i
directed especially to young men, an
Is based on the text:
Is the young man Absalom safe?-II Samue
xviii, 20.
The heart of David, the father. wa
wrapped up in his boy Absalom. HI
was splendid boy, judged by the rule
of worldly criticism. From the crown
of his head to the sole of his foot taor,
was not single blemish. The Bible
says that he had such luxuriant
shock of hair that when once year
it was shorn, what was cut off weighed
over three pounds. But, notwithstand-
ing all his brilliancy of appearance,
he was bad boy. and broke his ia,
theirs heart. He was plotting to get
the throne of Israel. He had mar
shaled an army to overthrow his IA
theirs government. The day of bat
tie had come. The conflict was be-
gun. David, the father, sat between
the gates Of the palace waiting for the
tidings of the conflict Oh. how rapidly
his heart beat with emotion. Two great
questions were to be de cided: the
safety of his boy, and the continuance
of the throne of Israel After awhile,
servant standing on the top of the
house, looks off, and sees some one
running. He is coming with great
speed, and the man on the top of the
house announces the coming of the
messenger, and the father watches
and waits. and as soon as the messen-
ger from the field of battle comes
within hailing distance the father
cries out Is it question in regard
to the establishment of his throne?
Does he say: "Have the armies of
Israel been victorious? Am I to con-
tinue in my imperial authority? Have
l overthrown my enemies?" Oh,
no! There is one question that
springs from his heart to the lip, and
springs from the lip into the ear of the
besweated and bedusted messenger
flying from the battle feld-the ques-
ton: SIS the young man Absalom
safer" When it was told to David,
the king, that, though his armies had |
been victorious his son had been slain,
the father turned his back upon the
of the nation, and
went up the stairs of his palace, his
heart breaking as he went, wringing
his hands sometimes. and then again
pressing them against his temples as
though he would press them in. cry
ing: "Oh, Absaloml my son! my son!
Would God had died for thee, Oh,
Absalom! my son! my son!"
My friends. the question which
David, the king. asked in regard to his
ION is the question that resounds to-
lay in the hearts of hundreds of par
'nts. Yea, there are great multi
nde of young men who know that the
question Of the text is appropriate
When asked in regard to them. They
NOW the temptations by which they
re surrounded; they see so many who
tarted life with as good resolutions
S they have who have fallen in the
'ath, and they are ready to hear me
SIX the question of my text: rs the
) that this life is full of peril. He
Who undertakes it without the grace
f God aud proper understanding of I
he conflict into which he is going,
aust certainly be defeated. Just look I
# upon society to-day. Look at the ;
hipwreck of men for whom fair things
Tere promised, and who started life
Nth every advantage. Look at those I
tho have dropped from high social ;
osition, and from great fortune, dis
raced for eternity. All who sacrifice
heir integrity come to overthrow.
AXE dishonest dollar and bury it I
I the center of the earth, and keep
II the rocks of the mountain on top of
!; then cover these. rocks with all the
iamonds of Golconda, and all the silver
If Nevada, and all the gold of Cali
ornia and Australia, and put on the top
these all banking and moneyed insti
ltions, and they can not keep down I
hat one dishonest dollar. That one
ishonest dollar in the center of the
nrth will begin to heave and rock and
pturn itself until it comes to the
of damnation. Gas the I
artridge sitteth on eggs and hatcheth
hem not, so he that getteth riches
nd not by right shall leave them in
ne midst of his days, and at his end
hall be fool"
Now, what are tue safeguards of
Dung men? The first safeguard of
hich want to speak is the love of
ONE. There are those who have no
lea of the pleasures that concentrate
round the word home" Perhaps I
our early abode was Swallowed with Q
ice or poverty. Harsh words, and !
etulence, and scowling may have de-
royed all the sancity of that spot.
owe, kindness, and self-sacrifice, t
hich have built the affairs in n
, many abodes, were strangers y
your fathers house. God a