The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1895-01-23
For The RECORD.
ABOUT CLUBS.

The one man present who objected to
singing " Where's my wandering boy to
night out of respect to the feelings oil
the mothers who we're at the meeting in
goodly numbers, was not such dull one
after all. Who are responsible for the alb
sent ones OF the family after darkness comes
on9 Fathers, mothers and guardians. The
SO called clubs are doing more to under
mine society, by the effects Of immoral
habits, than all The hotels and saloons COM
bined. Oily the bright side of the club is
told at home the dark or so-called enjoy
able SIDE is never mentioned, except to
the initiated. Parents who Sometimes
favor the club TO which their dear ones
are attached would blush with shame and
modification could they look In and see,
or be at hand and hear, the inside work.
ings of these latter. day institutions. 1t is
not drink alone which degrades and low
ers a man. There are other surroundings
that do more to lower to the scale OF brute
than the habit of drinking, EVIL COM
munications corrupt good morals, and
it is within the walls of club rooms where
every sort of vile and immoral topics are
discussed and laughed ever TO the injury
of selfrespect aud manliness. 1t is bad
when older persons, those who have come
to ripper years, organize and meet socially,
where drinks and cards are permitted,
but it is far worse where the youth OF our
land, the promises Of our homes, come
together and are allowed to lock them
selves from the gaze of those who ought
to be responsible, and as time rolls on re-
main away from home hour after hour
during the night season, when the sur
roundings are far different from what they
ought to be or what they would be at
nearly all ordinary homes.
What is being done to counteract these
evils that are constantly increasing in our
midst Practically nothing. True, the
Church and Sabbath School are working
all the while, yet it is surprising that those
who appear SO bright and good at the Sab
bath School are just as brilliant and in
clned TO immortality at the club. These
are stubborn facts which cannot be gain
said. Prayers, hymns or religious sub
jects are not part of the program there.
1t is not 10 be understood that young men
are to be entertained at all times under
religious Influences. 1t would be well II
such could be the case. There are, how :
ever, entertainments which, while not
strictly religious, are not immoral or wick
ed, which could be used to good advan-
tage. Sunday Schools and prayer meet
ings will not always draw young men, or
young ladies either, and what else does
the Church or the city offer for the amuse-
ment of the young folks In some places
they have reading rooms (public ones) and
Young Mems Christian Associations, with
every attraction of becoming nature TO
entice within the young and inexperienced.
Are the well-wishers of the youth putting
forth the same energy and expanding the
same means to save and protect as the
dispensers OF spirtuous liquors are to en-
slave and destroy Tho plain club room,
without the allurements of the youth, will
soon be exchanged for the polished club
of the man, and then hearts will be broken
and hopes ruined that now are as bright
as heart could wish
Christian men and women, are you sat-
isfied to let these evil work shops remain
unmolested, when parental duty, II prop
erly applied, would stop them 2 If your
boy has not become master yet, would not
a firm Il do not want you to belong To
any club have the desired effect, SO
far as be is concerned 2 1t remains with
the parents to break up the clubs. Then
throw open your parlors and let them
have the use of the same for entertain.
ment. Give the young a chance fer en-.
ioyment, such as will ennoble and refine.
Don't be afraid of breaking some piece OF
furniture and destroying the velvet car
pet. The future happiness OF yourself
and child are worth more than all the fur
niture the house contains. Don't draw
the lines too tight. A little noise will moi
set one crazy. Don't imagine that you
must necessarily be the one to head all
amusement. They will make the music
only give them fair chance. The only
point TO remember is this: they will be
to a certain extent under the influence oil
home-life, and if that is pure and refined
then there is hope that the effect will also
be pure and refined, and purity will fol
low, when the club will bring, in most
cases, disgrace and dishonor. w.
LambertUilie, Jan. 81, 1896.