Woodruff County news., 1901-10-19
EVILS OF THE NIGHT
Dr. Talmage Points a Warning to
 the Unwary.
The We1I-KnOvn Preacher Describes Some of the Scenes That May Be Witnessed After Darl<-Time
 of Great Temptation.
[Copyright, 1901. by Louis Klopsch, N. VI
 Washington, Oct 13.

w dSnlnglOnf Oct. Io.
 In this discourse Dr. TaImage de- scribes some of the scenes to be wit messed late at night in the great cit ies and warns the unwary of many perils; text, Isaiah 21, Il: ''Watchman, what of the night?"
 When night came down on Babylon, Nineveh and Jerusalem they needed careful watching; otherwise the incen- diarys torch might have been thrust into the very heart of the metropolitan splendor, or enemies, marching from the hills, might have forced the gates. All night long, on top of the wall and in front of the gates, might be heard the measured step of the watchman on his solitary beat. Silence hung in air, save as some passerby raised the ques- tion: "Watchman, what of the night?'
 It is to me a deeply suggestive and solemn thing to see man standing guard by night. It thrilled through me as at the gate of an arsenal in Charleston the question once smote me: "Who comes there? followed by the sharp command: Advance and give the countersign." Every moral teacher stands on picket or patrols the wall as watchman. His work is to sound the alarm, and, whether it be in the first watch, the second watch, in the third watch or in the fourth watch, to be vigilant until the daybreak filings its morning glories" of blooming cloud across the trellis of the day.
 The ancients divided their night into four parts-the first watch, from to 9; the second, from to 12; the third, from 12 to 3, and the fourth, from 3 to 6. 1 speak now of the city in the third watch, from 12 to o'clock.
 I never weary of looking upon the life of the city in the first watch. That is the hour when the stores are clos ing. The laboring men, having quilted the scaffolding and the shop, are on their way home. It rejoices me to give them my seat in the city car. They have stood and hammered away all day. Their feet are weary. They are exhausted with the tug of work. They are mostly cheerful. With appetites sharpened on the swift turner's wheel and the carpenters whetstone they seek the evening meal The clerks, too, have broken away from the coun- ter and with brain weary of the long line of figures and the whims of those who go a-shopping, seek the face of mother or wife or child. The streets are thronged with young men setting out from the great centers of bargain making. Let idlers clear the street and give right of way to the besweated artisans and merchants! They have earned their bread and are now on their way to get it. The lights in full jet hang over 10000 evening repasts- the parents at either end of the table, the children between. Thank God, "who setteth the solitary in families" :"
 A few hours later and all the places of amusement, good and bad, are in full tide. Lovers of art, catalogue in hand. stroll through the galleries and discuss the pictures. The ballroom is resplendent with the rich apparel of those who, on either side of the white, glistening boards, await the signal from the orchestra. Concert halls are lift ed into entertainment with the warble of one songstress or swept out on a sea of tumultuous feeling by the blast of brazen instruments. Drawing rooms are filled with all the graceful ness of apparel, with all sweetness of sound, with all splendor of manner; mirrors are catching up and multi plying the scene, until it seems as if in infinite corridors there were gar landed troops advancing and retreat ing. The outdoor air rings with laugh ter and with the moving to and fro of thousands on the great promenades. The dashing span, adrip with the foam of the long country ride, rushes past as you halt at the curbstone. Mirth, revelry, beauty, fashion, magnificence, mingle in the great metropolitan pie ture until the thinking man goes home to think more seriously, and the pray ing man to pray more earnestly. A beautiful and overwhelming thing is the city in the first and second watches of the night.
 But the clock strikes 12, and the third watch has begun. The thunder of the city has rolled out of the air. The slightest sounds cut the night with such distinctness as to attract your att tention. The tinkling of the bell of the street car in the distance and the baying of the dog. The stamp of a horse in the next street. The slamming of saloon door. The hiccough of the drunkard. The shrieks of the steam whistle five miles away. Oh, how sug- gestive, my friends, the third watch of the night!
 There are honest men passing up and down the street. Here is a city missionary who has been carrying a