The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1901-11-14
EVILS OF THE NIGHT
n. Talmage Points a Warning to
the Unwary.
UeII-KnOwn Preacher Describes
s,a of the Scenes That May BE
witnessed After Dark-Time
Of Great Temptation.
,rorvright, 1901, by Louis Kloosch. N. VI
Washington,

,co,vrisht, 1901, by Louis KloDsch. N. VI
Washington,
In this discourse DR.. Talmage de-
scribes some of the scenes to be wit
nessed late at night in the great cit
iss and warns the unwary OF many
nerils: text, Isaiah p, II: "Watchman,
what of the night?'
When night came down on Babylon,
Nineyeh 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
he 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 CT the watchman on
his solitary beat. Silence hung in air,
save as some passerby raised the ques-
ton: "Watchman, what of the night?
It is to me a deeply suggestive and
solemn thing to see a 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 watchman. His work is to
sound the alarm, and, whethe 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
6 to 9; the second, from to IL; the
third, from IL to 3, and the fourth,
from to 6. I speak now of the city
in the third watch, from II to 3 clock.
l 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 frem 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. ~
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
Respondent with the rich apparel OF
those who, on either side of the white
ghstening boards, await the signal from
the orchestra. Concert halls are lift.
eo into enchantment with the warble
ol 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
Pylng the scene, until it seems as il
IN infinite corridors there were gar.
anoed troops advancing and retreat.
.hs' Ihe outdoor air rings with laugh.
mr ana with the moving to and fro OF
~, thousands on the great promenades
.he aashlng span, adrip with the foam
VI Inc long country ride. rushes pas
you halt at the curbstone. Mirth
1e'elry' beauty, fashion, magnifcence
.ninsie in the great metropolitan pic,
.ufe untll the thinking man goes home
70 think more seriously, and the pray
lug man to pray more earnestly. A
veaa.ifnl and Overwhelming thing j,
sne city In the first and second watche.
Of the night.
n .u' Inc clock strikes IL, and the
.aisa watch has begun. The thunder
~, VI the city has rolled out of the air
I ~. snshtest sounds cut the night will
49,. us s'inetness as to attract your t
sn'ion. The tinkling of the bell O.
.ne street car in the distance and til,
Sasing OF the dog. The stamp of +;
- IN the next street. The slammipf
A., saioon door. The hiccough of tn,
uhkard. The shrieks of the steam
"hssle five miles away. Oh, how sue
the night! ~ "a''h 0
mere are honest men passing n,
au Gown the street. Here is cit,
.sionary ..ssl who has been carrying
tsa. a.ue OF coal to that poor family i,
a' dark place. Here is an under
s. Aer going up the steps of buildin.
81. winch there comes a bitter cry
u'en indicates that the destroyin,
mas smitten tie frat born. Her,