The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-04-04
INTRODUCTORY

terminate value. II IS me OGe reilaole osee'
with which man Can purchase eternal hle'
A msu who has spotted and soiled the gar
nens of character in youth, may seek to
aake it white again, bot can never wnoliy
do it such is the consequences OF SIN. us
effects cannot be eradicated I; they can only
be forgiven.
Character is achieved, not received Il
grows out of the substance o. mans soul
Like the blending of ,he co'ors IN picture
or the notes ia strain Of music, character
constitutes the true man.
Every mao is rea actor. 10 your face,
ron reject your nationality IN your voice.
the section OF your count:y /; ia your lite,
the image of your heart.
HONESTY.
Among the causes operating to lower the
tone of public morals, and tempting young
men 10 dishonesty, are:
l. The prevailing spirit of extravaganza. ).
2. Speculation io cotton, wheat and all
stocks and bonds of fictitious value.
A general eageroess for wealth
The connivaace aud usage of political
par,ies at dishoaorable means to gain their
ends.
PROFANENESS.
sin dis,ipp aished from all others because
of NO assignabie motive or temptation lts
inpious and derestable indulgence as means
of rroyis2 it's users are uader 40 restraint
of religious fear is unnecessary, as their char
ac.ers in general will deliver them from any
suspiciop Of eiety In its presence decent
man stands like Christian 10 the valley where
bell vomi,s up it's fame and sulphur on either
hand. Formed ir youth. it fxes us hold
npon young men largely by association
Useless, uumanly and vulgar 1t brands the
user with the stamp OF oatlawry from all
that ls virtuons snd decent
INTEMPERANCE.
It's approach is insiduous and gradual
Notwithstanding it's fearful ravages the army
of 600, 900 drunkards in America is msin-
,aioed by cosscripts from the ranks OF our
youug men. Among the Influences to oe
avoided are:
!. Constitutional temperament Brute lo-
ssiocs is self-regulative, but mas must heed
the divine ipjunc,ion te "know thysef," ii
he would govern bis powers, s2petltes and
pssaions.
2. An evil example at bone.
3. Social habits and feelings of yoath.
We oeed to learn the criminality of iutem-
ps,ance, for it is crime against self, proper
~. family, society and God.
GAMBLING.
It's the stalking of property upon mere
hazard. Just as dueiIing is murder, 80 gam
blioe is stealisg. Means and methods DO
not alter the crime, whether it be betting,
pool, policy-shop, lottery or specolstloo-if .
man proposes to get property upon mere hsz
ard-,o obtain something for nothing, be
proposes to get it by eameliug.
The impo.tanes Of warning ct this point
arises from the following reasoos:
/. The constitutional temperament OF man.
The natural love of excitemeet. l's DIVIDE
provis,ou and haman perversicn CT same.
Gambling 10 stocks AID fictitious prop
ertv oy men of business.
One such successful operation iowers TIE
morals Of community more than one thou
sand seatences for petit larceny inspires tear
A community allowing it must expect lts
youog men to grow up corrnps, fraudulent,
vicious and must bear part of the resPossioll-
ity for theif ruin.
There are lrfaences employed directly
TO lead them into gambling
In Sumter gambling houses are Dot, as 10
Paris. licensed by law, on the contrary they
are prohibited, yet they exist There are
men who lie 10 wait, whose business IT is 10
DESTROY the character, ruin the prospects acd
damn the souls of our young men. Let the
following wall of hesrt-broken parent, re-
ceived by minister os the gospel only day
o. two ago, speak for itself:
---, S. C March 2s, 1900.
ssDear Bro. am 10 much troaole and
distress over the waywardness of my poor
boy He is now travelling for -
go ss per asove beading. he went
70 Sumter last week on business and while
there fell amoog thieves aod they literally
stripped him of every dollar be bad snd ali
be could borrow Tue gamblers Who roooed
him are known as and ---.
They have room sst tie ---- he
los, at their game some SECS. Now, | would
CAP, oe done 20 recove. this money WlIi
YOU kindly see after this for ne and write me
at once? --- AnS tniag soq
csn do for me will oe greatly appreciated |
can furnish witnesses when needed
''Yoer old friend aud brother,
Tho community is shocked By the an