The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1901-10-25
EVILS OF THE NIGHT
Or. Talmage Points q Warning to
j the Unwary.

Tho Well-Iknovn Proacher ID escribcs
Eonio OF tho scenos That May 10
ls NitnekaoL After Darlk--rimo
OF Grcnt rcmptation. I;
ICopyrisht, 1901, by Louis Klopsch. n. II
Washington, Oct. ~.
} In this discourse DR.. Talmage de-
y 2aribes so1ue Of the scenes to be wit
messed lato at night in tho great cit
ies and warns the unwary of many
perils: text, Isaiah RI, II: "Watchman,
what OF the night?"
When night came down on Babylon,
Ninaveh and Jerusalem they needed
careful wa tching; otherwise the inoen-
diary's torch might have been thrust
into tho worry heart Of the metropolitan
splendor, or enemies, marching from
tho hills, might have forced the gates.
AL night long, on top Of the wall and
, In front Of the gates, might be heard
(, tho measured step OF the watchman on
his solitary boat. Silenco hung III air,
save as some passerby raised the ques-
tion: "Watchman, what Of tho night"
It is to me deeply suggestive and
solemn thing to see man standing
guard by night. 1t thrilled through
me RS at tho gate of an arsenal In
\ Charleston the question once smote
me: who comes there?" followed by
the sharp commands: "Adyance and
give the countersign." Every moral
teacher stands on picket or patrols
tho wall as watchman. His work is to
sound tho alarm, and, whether 1t be in
tho Arst watoh, tho second watch, in
fhc third watch or In tho fourth watch,
to be vigilant until the daybreak flngs
ats morning glories" OF blooming
cloud across the trellis Of the day.
Tho ancents divided their night
into four parts-the first watch, from
Q to 0; tho second, from to 12; the
third, from IL to 3, and the fourth,
from 5 TO 6. I speak now Of tho city
in tho third watch, from 12 to 8 o'clock.
never weary Of looking upon the
life Of tho oity in the first watch. That
a the hour when the stores orc clos
ing. The laboring men, having quilted
8the scafolding and the shop, are on
their way home. 1t rejoiccs me to
give them my scat in the city car. They
have stood and hammered away oil
day. Their feet arc weary. They arc
d exhausted with the tug of work. They
q are mostly cheerful. With appetites
sharpened on the swift turner's wheel
and the carpenters whetstone they
I seek tho evening meal. The clerks,
$co, have broken away from the coun-
tev and with brain weary Of the long
line Of figures and the whims Of those
whoygo a-shopping. seek the face Of
mothsr or vito or child. The streets
are threngod with young men setting
out from the groat ccnters OF bargain
making. Let idlers clear tho street
end give right of way to the besweatcd
artisans and merchantsl They have
earned .aeir bread and are now on
their way to get 1t. The lights in full
Jet hang over 10000 evening repasts-
tho parents at either end of the table,
the children between. Thank God,
"who setteth the solitary in families"
few hours later and oil tho places
of amusement, good and bad, arc in
full tide. Lovers Of art, catalogue in
hand, stroll through the galleries and
discuss tho pictures. The ballroom is
resplendent with the rich apparel Of
those who, on either side Of the white,
+ glistening boards await the signal from
tho orchestra. Concert halls are lift
Led into enohantment with tho warblc
OF one songstress or swept out on q
sea OF tumultuous feeling by the blast
OF brazen instruments. Drawing
rooms are filed with all the graceful
ness of apparel, with all sweetness OF
sound, with all splendor Of manner;
mirrors are$ catching up and multi
plying the scene, until 1t seems as If
In infinite corridors there wers gar
, landed troops advancing and retreat
ing. The outdoor air rings with laugh
ter and with the moyingto and fro OF
thousands on the great promenades.
The dashing span, adrip with the foam
OF the long country ride, rushes pas
as you halt at the curbstone. hIirth,
revelry, beauty, fashion, magnifioenoe,
m1ngle IN the great metropolitan pic
ture until tho thinking man goes homo
20 think more seriously, and tho pray
Ing man to pray more earnestly. A
beautiful and overwhelming thing is
the oity In tho first and second watchea
OF the night.
But the clock strikes IL, 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 dlstinctness as to attract our T.
tention. Tho tinlsling Of the bell Of
I. tho street car in the distance and the
baying Of tho dog. The stamp Of a
horse In tho next street. The la nrainp
OF saloon door. The hiccough of tho
drunkard. The shrieks OF the steam
whistle Ave miles away Oh, how sun
gostiyc, my friends, the third watch Of
the night
There are honest men passing up
and down the street. Here Is n city
missionary who has been cnrryif,r n
scuttle of coal to that poor family in
that dark place. Here Is an under
taker going up the steps Of building
from which there comes bitter ory.
which Indicates that the DESTROYING
angel has smitten the flrst-born. Here
Is minister Of religion who has been
giving the sacrament to dying Chris.
tian. Horo is a physician passing along
Ia great haste. Nearly oil the lights
havo gono out in tho dwellings, for IL
is the third watch Of the night. That
light In the window is theTlight of the
watcher, for the medicines must bo
administered, and the fever must be
watched, and the restless tossing Off
OF the coyerlid must be resisted, and
tho leo must bo kept on the hot tenn.
Pies, and tho perpetual prayer must
go UP from hearts soon to be brokou.
Oh, the third watch Of the nightl
What q stupendous thought--a whole
city at resti Weary arm prenar rim o. FOR,