The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-17

Notice some of the problems that con-
front Us. Let US begin where We stand:
'First-The problem of the city. The
Capitalization of population, rapidly adj
vanciag, has been a marked feature OF this
century. One hundred years ago per cent.
OF our population was urban, now nearly 80
per cent. The problem of the city has
raised anxious inquiries which no states
man or jurist can answer. Though piety
furnishes its most illustrious examples in
great cities and the most potential spiritual
agencies for good. yet this congestion of
population is a serious evil. Vice is sure TO
stimulate vice, and crime begets crime.
Here we find general moral corruption; the
idolatry of wealth, devotion TO sinful pleas
ure wickedness in high places the beastli-
ness of open impurity, closeted skeletons
Of virtue, every shameless form of iniquity,
and absolute indifference TO all woe, save
its own. This plethora of cities violates a
fundamental law of social life. The Anglo
Saxon race obtained its vigor In open Fields
and among growing harvests. National
morality put on strength where tempta-
tons were fewer. and nature. with it's
peaceful sky and canopy of stars, led hui
man thought beyond the visible heaven.
''Second-The problem of intemperance.
most appalling In great cities, still waits a
solution The drink habit is less general
than IL was century ago; healthful
sentiment has restrained IL and won null
titude 10 sobriety; but untold misery re-
mains Drunkenness impoverishes labor,
desolates homes, darkens all the prospects
OF earthly existence and unending years.
IL consumes more substance than is re-
ceived by al charities. by home and foreign
evangelization, by the whole church OF the
living God. IL destroys more lives than
plague and famine and war combined.
One hundred thousand drunkards annually
stagger across the sand hills or desert
life 20 where the earthquake digs their
graves, and then die as brutes die, who
micht have won the worlds laurels and
worn eternal crowns. Meanwhile we seem
as poweriess TO stop this sad procession as
10 arrest Niagara at its flood. Moreover.
rupt courts, bride executives, Sebauch
rulers, descrate the Sabbath, and turn
many away from the house OF prayer. Just
now the traffic I'm fntoxicants, In Ma
Mia. Havana, Porto Rico and Alaska mis-
represents Christian civilization. and sets
the worlds salvation far down the years.
'sThird-Another problem demands solu-
tion. The most thoroughly organized
hierarchy in the world. Rome excepted.
hides among the mountain ranges of Utah,
builds its harems in secluded valleys pol
lutes the virein soil. defies the government
which would suppress its crime. seeks TO
establish an empire of Its own. and sends
its missionaries throughout the civilized
world TO delude the ignorant and entrap
the unwary. This Is satan's masterpiece.
and one OF the darkest blo.s on civilization
the ages have known
THE NEGRO QUESTION.
.sFotrth-Another question. Yonder II
lies. in our beautiful Southland. 1t is a con-
dition for which generations gone and our
selves are responsible. Eight millions OF our
population belong to the colored race. 81
per cent OF whom have been born since
slavery ceased to exist. Among them are
eminent Christians and loyal citizens. some
OF whom as ministers OF the Word and
educators have demonstrated the intel
lectual and scholarly possibilities Of theil