The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-12

and as to the influence weyex upon others. It is of some of those which arc evil I desire briefly to warn you. and point you to some which are rood.
 'The first companion of which I warn you Is that of evil thought. And in the beginning let me say. that a nro- lifc source of evil influence to our minds Is the thoughts of others as ex- pressed in some of the books we read. BOOKS unsound in doctrine. or impure m tone. And when I say impure in tone, l do not refer to those which are openly obscene and whose every line drips with filth. for the mind is already depraved that Is not made to revolt at indecency and to feel disgust at vul- garity. But it is those books contain Ing rosy. suggestive language; the works of those authors who soften evil, and show deformity with tints of beauty who by their splendid imagery and exquisite art. lead our thoughts through magnificent gardens into shady dells. where the surroundings are cool and inviting. but where the atmosphere IS laden with the odors of poisonous flowers. Books in which thought is clothed in beautiful language. but be- tween the lines of which may be seen the windings of the serpents trail. Never was there a time in which read- ing could be had at so little cost, ana 1t is the curse of our literature that 1t Is traversed by so many riils of im- Ipurity.' -
 But evil books are only one of the many sources of evil thoughts. With a depraved nature, and carnal appe- tites. and selfish desires,' they steal in upon us like the chilling mists of q winters night; they come into our minds like the germs of contagious A-x from where they come. I hear you ask. how may we keep evil thoughts from coming into our minds? I read fly admit that you cannot, unless you are far more perfect than l. Neither can you prevent the vulture from fly- ing in at your open window. but you can drive it out. and prevent 1t from making its abode in your apartments; you cannot prevent the weeds and briars from coming up in your garden, but you can purge them away and keep them from choking out your ferns and flowers. It is not that which passes through the mind that proves hurtfuI, but it is the thought that is permitted to lodge there until 1t becomes desire. craving of he heart, and which finds expression in word and in deed.
 Tt was envious thought that grew in the mind until 1t became malice in
 
 brother, and become the first murderer of the world.
 Tt was sordid thought that was har- bored in the mind. that was permitted to become covetousness in the heart, until 1t grew into an insatiate avarice, an inconquerable desire for greed, that made Iscariot to betray his Lord and Master. and to sell his eternal birth right for thirty pieces of silver.
 l HIunnura fhon~ht tho yar,. rh So,-x ~f which may diffuse the cheek of youth with the blush of conscious wrong-if permitted to lodge in the mind, 1t will soon make him to be fascinated by form more than by face. to admire contour more than character. and by degree its foulness will permeate the very vitals of his heart. and from desire 1t will grow into lust. and from lust into licentiousness, and with the soul steep ed in sin, he will seek to besmirch the heart of trusting innocence. and prove traitor to confidence and love.
 Wicked thoughts, how we harbor; ashamed. we dare not express them! Evil thought is the contaminating breath Of satan-the wicked whisper
 And then there are the outward in- fuences. and how susceptible we are to these. and how readily we stifie the selves led into indulgences upon the plea, if in moderation, they will do us no harm. The youth, the younger men of Montgomery. are seldom tempted to outright wickedness; evil comes to them as an enticement. The honest generosity and fresh heart of young man would revolt from open meanness and undisguised vice. and satan con- forms his wiles to their nature. He tempts them to the basest deeds by be- ginning with innocent ones gliding to more exceptionable. and finally to positively wicked ones Every young man. whether reared in country or city. knows there are depraved wretches who are avowed enemies of his soul and of all that is upright and good, and from such influences we have little to fear. But it is the pleasing. affable man, whom we call a clever good heart ed fellow, but who is too weak to re- sist temptation. who hasn't the man. hood to deny himself the indulgences he knows to- be wrong; and satan uses him and his influence to corrupt the minds and hearts of those about him.
 Did you ever watch the current of a wicked life? It was small at first, twas but tiny stream. and made Its way slowly. And no doubt for a long time its way could easily have been impeded, its flow easily have been stopped. But there was no resolution with which to refuse, no mannood witn which to resist. And thus. unchecked. it flowed on-habit begetting habit increased appetite demanding increased lindulgence-more iniquity is required to smother conscience; and on it goes, be- looming stronger day after day, and year aftef year, until finally with pride ex- tinct and conscience buried. 1t hows on in it's rushing, maddened career. carrying upon it's surface the debris ot blighted hopes, and ruined homes. and broken hearts and nothing except, the grace of Omnipotent God can stay It's progress or save 1t from impending doom.
 'The bloated and besotted wretch you see upon your streets once had a character as pure and as spotiess' and perhaps as strong as yours. Drunkards are not made in day. rakes in a night. nor felons within an hour. Trace 1t back to its source and you find some perverted thought. or the civil influence of some wicked companion had started the stream, and without the manhood to check 1t. ldeprayed. weak humanity had kept 1t flowing on to its ruin.
 Tt is of such influencec l desire to warn you. The one who would