The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-11-04
THE MORAL dangers OF Cities
GILDED VICE.
Be Of Good Courage, and Let Us Play the Men
for Our People and for the Cities
of Our God 2sam, 10: l2,

cities which were once the playground
and even happy hunting grounds OF
men still living. Some look upon TINS
fact, the growth of great cltleS, a
alarming Thomas Jefferson Always
feared the effect of large cities on
democratic form of government. He
called them the plague spots OF CIV
ilization. A book ran through thls
country like red fire not long since
Sounding the old note of alarm-the
danger and menace OF cities. can
not regard such fear as sound anu
wholesome view of the matter. Inc
growth of cities is in reality step ol
progress in the evolution Oh nuliiah 80
ciety. True enough 1t indicates Sig
nificant change IN the mode OF human
life and action, but the outcome VIII
be. better human conditions. The fall
of the Roman Empire seemed Ike the
end of the world; and il was In sense
an end OF one world. but the oeglnnihs
of a new world. The Crusade was
world movement that failed OIL It's I'M
mediate quest but fulfilled larger pur-
nose. So il will be with the movement
toward cities. Science has made cities
places of safety, of comfort ana OF
power In many respects life at l'S
highest and best is TO be round thSTe'
All feel its attraction.
All changes, however, bring new ana
subtle forms Of temptation Every
great change in circumstance orlnss
new tests TO character, just as every
new chemical substance added TO
,nixture effects in some form the char
acter of the whole. In this fact we
and the pathetic interest that centers
in Hoyenden's great picture breaking
home ties What will be the erect OF
this new life on the soul or the poy:
The setting of the text is one OF trlaI;
The words are the courageous anu
hopeful words Of David. He looked up
,on life not as losing struggle put as
an opportunity to win great victories.
So Christians in every generation are
TO look upon the world as something TO
BE subdued and subordinated to the
win and glory of God. AS prepara-
tjon for victory q recognition OF dan
gers will be helpful.
One subtle form Of temptation which
assails character in cities and from
which rural life is comparatively free
- the secrecy possible there.
There Is no solitude, not even tnat
of the desert or the wilderness. nHs
that of a great city. While surrounded
by vast multitudes that flow by one
like q great ocean current one seems
detached and strangely alone. Life IS
reduced TO q time table. We touch Tor
the most part in a business way ana
that means that human interest Is TOT
the mast part eliminated. or course
we gain in time freedom anu inde-
pepdence. But the danger is that
certain sense of responsibility may also
PASS away with the change. The very
moment one allows the sense OF per
eonal responsibility to weaken within
him. that moment he begins TO morally
deteriorate Certain old castles uSed
to have dark, secret passages, Wnere
deeds of violence and shame could be
carried on out of sight and Puphc
knowledge Well, a city is full OF just
such hidden, underground ways, where
an evil life may be hidden for time
from view. A certain degree Of public
knowledge and sentiment is wholesome
and bracing to every one. 1t is sort
OF outside conscience. When that is
for the most part removed one is
thrown altogether on the conscience
within for his moral power and fiber
Many a temptation finds its last ana
successful argument in the WHISPER s1,
sswhat Is the difference? Who Will
know anything about it?" When one
yields to the delusion that wrong can
be successfully concealed or its conse-
euences OF shame and pain avoided,
Il a but q short step to the deed itseir:
That way madness lies" The moral
quality Of action and of life is the one
thing that can not be concealed. the
night shineth as the day to him with
whom we have to do.
There is a moral danger in the very
presence of q multitude. Tfat old pro-
hfbition "Thou shalt not follow null
tftude to do evil" was aimed at
weak point in our human nature. 1t Is
10 easy to go with the multitude, to
keep step and march under farinS pam
ners- .
.sWhat everybody says must be true"
Is that the abiding test of truth to you:
ssWhen at Rome do as Romans do" so
runs the maxim. The world will love
It's own-those who are obedient ana
conform Society certainly has do
main of authority over the individual.
Certain laws, regulations and customs
are not only wholesome, but even ne
cessary If We are to live together har-
moniously and helpfully, but there is
limit to its dominion. The highest life
must be self-determined- Some ques-
tions must not be put to popular vote.
A true and noble selfhood must be
maintained at any cost.
There is danger also in the splendid
materialism Of the city. One is apt to
be dazzled by the magnificence OF all
that he sees about him. A voice seems
to say these things are real and abid-
ing. They are the only prizes of life.
And 50 the glorious realities of mind
and spirit fade out OF mind and heart
Before one is aware Of 1t he is follow
ing in the mad rush for mere earthly
good, drawn into the whirl of the pres
ent world as Lot was drawn into Sod
ON The hills where Abraham pitched
his tent seemed high and cold and bare,
but Sodom was full of life, activity
ard interest. The world has its use.
fits activities OF trade, its splendor Of
achievement. its power, its discipline,
bat il also has its abuse, It may over
whelm the soul with its semblances.
But the most subtle danger Of all is
I'm the form Of gilded sins.
One does rot admire caterpillar as
he does butterfly. but the difference
is not great. The butterfly has wings
bright and beautiful. The repusive-
ness OF the worm is forgotten under
the flashing lights of the brilliant and
many colored wings. 1t is so with sin.
In cities its responsiveness Is lost in
Eilded forms. Many forms and clar-
ing instances of evil doing are excused.
passed over. tolerated, because OF the
position. wealth or power OF the Of
fendor. Grding covers a multitude o!
sins, and observes everlasting Cistiac-
tions.
Yet witha'. in cities the n"'' -. t-Dc""
- horinc Sy-~ Of Sr,S,. r.