The leader., 1903-11-25
SOMETHING TO DO.


only seems to harden the youthful
law breakers. A state reforma-
tory is needed"
The above is a broken excerpt
of statements made in Vicksbulg
papers and dispatches. If this
were true of only Vicksburg, the
matter would not be so prodlg-
iousIy serious; but from many
towns and more cities, there come
reports of young criminals band
ed together for the avowed pur-
pose of committing crime. 1t is
appalling.
A splendid young woman,
strong of mind and body, said to
us not long ago: % am COMPEL
ed to join the card club. What
have the ladies to do? | enjoy the
entertaining and the social fea-
lures" Nothing to do?" And
the hope of our country-our
future men-going down fast to
ruin of soul and body! Some day
who knows-the sons of some of
these proud, but thoughtless young
mothers, may be touched BY the
miasmatic influence that cannot
be controlled Or gainsayed, and
that blights all truth and honor.
Unless power is brought to bear
against it, these darlnigs of ele-
giant homes will be swept out past
the home inclosure, GUITAR out
into the vortex of shame and dis
honor.
The od-given talents of many
of our young women throughout
the State could be so much better
extended in some organized effort
for the uplifting of the fallen, or
in preventative measures, that the
innocent may never fall, than In
the foolish pursuit of society"
frivolities.
Nothing to do?" When the
world is crying out for your sym
pathetic helpfuIness and active en-
deavor? If you would make surer
the future you plan for your boy,
help to blaze the way, not by a
display in your homes of card
club prizes you have "won," but
by the spirit that goes out to seek
and to save, and that as surely
will touch your boys heart as an
angry word, or the evil spirit that
places a cigarette between his lips
or pack of cards in his hands for
"a game of euchre.' %
We would give the portentous
matter local Significance. In
Brookhaven, the Y. NJ c. A.,
pregnant with SO much Of future
good, is doing all within its grow
ing power to preserve the integ-
rity of our young men. Encour-
age this institution with its open
doors, that welcome our youths to
its wholesome pleasures; its night
school, calculated to build men
tally and materially; It's sacred
Sunday observance where thought
may be elevated and directed to
what is highest and best; its
splendid porpose of developing
our young men for usefulness.
Every church and Sunday school
is holding out its arms to you.
Every preacher and teacher in
these institutions Graves your SYM
pathy aid your assistance. Help
them by your presence and by
putting your children within their
reach.
When sweet May Butterlield
died in the midst of her earnest
work for humanity and Christian
ity, among those who, in Gods
providence, were nearest her her
neighbors- there were COM
mingled voices of bereft parents
and children crying: What shall
we do without herY' who will
now help us2'' who will so
gently lead our little onesa''
Since then, as the sad days have
come and gone, the spirit of God
has touched one heart, heretofore
a devotee of the thoughtIess world,
and it has responded: Teach
me the way; that / may do Mays
work. Some one ought to do it. =
Some one ought to do these
things that make for the future
of our commonwealth, and fol the
welfare of our Children and their
honor of the names they bear.
There is something to do, ele
q loved ones memory Is left you,
with its reproachful tenderness,
urging you to do what ron should
have done before.
The State Convention Of thp
Mississinpi w. G.. r.. 81 met In