The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-23
He Used No Soft Phrases in His Adj
dress to Twelve Hundred Persons
In the Gospel Tent.
EVILS OF THE BALLROOM
MEN DANCE MOST FREQUENTLY
WITH OTHER MEMS WIVES.
Many Vices He Says, Are to BE Found
I'm the Ranks of the Women Of
High Society.

Theaters. cards. bathrooms and other such
worldly pleasures were the targets last
night for fusillade of religious lombard
ment by the Rev. Milford H Lyon at the
meeting In the union gospel tent at Pros
pect and Linden streets. The speaker did
not search for soft phrases in his rebuke
of the evils which he so stoutly warned
his hearers against, but spoke straight from
the shoulder and evidently pleased the au-
dience, which numbered about ZOO, because
the "amens'' and other shouts of APPROVAL
issued frequently from all parts of the
tent.
Besides the things mentioned. many other
evils. especially those affecting society
women, received shots from the firing line.
Many were given I'm a vein of sarcasm, that
was received with much laughter. The
speaker declared that some Of the vilest
and foulest conditions were to be found
right among the society women or the So
called -four hundred" In discussing card
playing Mr.. Lyon said, in quoting re-
formed gambler, that the home card game
was the kindergarten of the gambling hell.
He scored the playing for prizes among
women, and with his finger pointed at the
audience declared in a firm voice: you
may rest assured society women, tnat the
chickens win come home TO roost" At this
tuncture three young women, who did not
have the appearance of being injured by
geist evidently did not like the appear
ance of things and loudly exclaimed: Just
as soon as you get enough pass out" He
then proceeded to relate story pertinent TO
the occasion and soon the incident was for
gotten.
SCORED THE THEATER.
Much fault was found with the theater,
which, Mr.. Lyon declared, was constantly
growing more imoral. He quoted dra-
matte critics. who had said the stage
was becoming more corrupt all the
time. ION the STAGE" said the speaker. "the
highest and noblest relations between man
and woman are the subject for frivolity.
and in Chicago / understand most of the
divorces are caused by what has been seen
at the theater. If this is the character Of
the stage what possible good can IL do to
your He stated that he understood a
most disgraceful performance was given
at the Empire Theater during the Woodmen
kind of men turned away unable to endure
II. When asked at the close of the meeting
to what special act he alluded Mr.. Lyon
would not commit himself.
But you ask" said the speaker, what is
the matter with good, respectable play?
l will answer that by saying that 1 would
not go 10 see a play or that kind Tor the
same reason 1 would not drink glass of
lemonade in a saloon" If Mr.. Lyon was
hard in his denunciation of the card table
and theater he was even more aggressive
in his discussion of the ballroom. With
much fervor and in loud and appealing
manner he scored dancing, saying that it
was a hindrance to spiritual effectiveness.
THE reason people like to dance is for the
love of passion" declared the evangelist.
and If anyone dances and says haGbas no
evil thoughts then his nature is as cold and
unaffectionate as steel" This caused much
amusement and ripple of laughter went
over the audience. Men go to dances with
| their wives and dance once with them and
a dozen times with someone else's wife, he
| said. This was received with shouts and
"Amens."
During his sermon last night Mr.. Lyon
| did not give all his attention to vice. but
| also strongly scored the church or Christian
| element, which, he declared, was respon-
sible for the latitude given to church mem
bers. 1.-The moln OF worldliness is eating a
hole in the Christian garment and makes ii
appear ragged so that the world can jeer al
| the church," said Mr.. Lyon. BE consistent
and If you serve the devil serve him alone
| Die as you live. Do not call for preacher
| at death, but ask for a dancing master
| and have him tell what a graceful dancer
you were instead of having a minister. "
| Suddenly, without ceremony, the speaker
| stated That's all. Come again tomorrow
| night" and the meeting was over and the
crowd left with plenty Of food for thought