The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-03-12
RESCUE THE PERISHING.

Editor Daily Journal In reading
" Notes and Comments in a recent
copy of the Daily Journal l was more
than pleased with the position you
took with reference to the murder
of the innocents. " The language is none
too strong. "Tis true, tbs pity; and
pity tits, tbs true" The real facts
are before any student of civilized or
uncivilized life. The Indictment of
the parents is just, and every ques-
ton you ask is pertinent and ought
to be answered Childhood is being
robbed of its birthright of home and
heaven by modern society life. And
the church is doing her share of the
robbing. A child that can survive
the neglect of its father, the vanity
of its mother, and the demands of So
ciety, the modern Sunday school and
church entertainment, needs little in
surance against fire i'll the world to
dren have lost all reverence for holy
| things and they shipper and f1irt as
freely in religious circles as upon the
street. They dress as scantily in one
| place as another, as near the verge of
indecency as possible and maintain
an upright place in society.
Society and religion are one and the
same to them. Instances without
number could be given where child
rem have learned their first lessons il
vice at church entertainments, to say
nothing of the constant exposure tt
temptation before they know wha
temptation is
You think it strange" that minis
tiers do not preach against this spolia
ton of childhood. They do-som
of them-but their voice is like on
who crieth in the wilderness. a min
lister might as we'll undertake to stol
such flood as devastated your beau
tiful city few days ago, as to hop
to stop fancy dressing and dancing
late hours and street firtations, whel
the parents set the pace. Another rea
son perhaps, for not assailing thi
crime more vigorously is the fact tina
the so-called best and most Influential
families have children who are in thu
saddle at church as well as elsewhere
and ministers have childrep to fee
and clothe and educate, -and-and-
they are not all in readiness to find
new field The ministry as rule,
hopelessly at bay in the matter. Cal
it cowardice if you will, but neithe
the minister nor the church will eve
deliver the children from the inhumal
treatment they too often receive
The reform will come from without
from laymen, from the press, from a
awakened public conscience. AS me
esty on the streets in public places, a
they see Herodias dancing, and rea
Byron's "Waltz" and become surfeite
with the ballet" if not too far gone
they will snatch their little ones a
brands from the burning. Let Il
hope without the smell Of fire upo
their garments. There be men still
who believe in purity and modesty
who believe in the home as shelte
for the child from the destruction tina
wasteth at MONDAY and the pestilenc
that walketh in the darkness.
Therefore we hail with gladnes
your plain call for halt in this in
, notation of childhood upon the altar
of pride, lust and vanity. 1t sends
thrill of courage and hope throug
our aching hearts. Your clear ring
: ing notes of fact and warning al
welcome. Keep this matter befor
the people and perhaps we will civ
) you sermon on the subject some day
/ But let us have free press, whetl
! er or not we can claim free pulpit,
Clerical Queercuss.
Years of suffering relieved in