St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-11-09
EVILS OF THE NIGHT
DR.. Talmage Points Warning to
the Unwary.
The Well-knOvn Preacher Describes
some of the Scenes That May BE
Witnessed After Dark-Time
of Great Temptation.
Copyright, 1901, by Louis klopsch. N. "
Washington.


In this discourse DR.. Talmage de-
scribes some Of the scenes to be Wit
messed late at night in the great cit
les and warns the unwary OF many
pcrils; text, Isaiah II, IL: ''Watchman,
what of the night?"
When night came down on Babylon,
Nineveh and Jerusalem they needed
careful watching; otherwise the incen-
diary's 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-
ton: "Watchman, what of the night?''
1t is to me deeply suggestive and
solemn thing to see man standing
guard by night. 1t 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 Waterman. 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 PARASITIC first watch, from
TO 9; the second, from to IL; the
third, from IL to 3, and the fourth,
from 3 to 6. 1 speak now of the city
in the third watch, from IL 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. 1t 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 milestone 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 ha & over 10000 evening repasts-
the arents 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 enchantment with the MARBLE
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
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 pic
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 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 distinctness as to attract your t.
tention. The Thinking 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 city
missionary who has been carrying
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 cry.
which indicates that the destroying
angel has smitten the frst-born. Here
is minister of religion who has been
giving the sacrament to dying Chris
tian. Here is physician passing along
in great haste. Nearly all the lights
have gone out in the dwellings, for it