The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-25
"CALL OF THE WILD"
TEXT FOR A SERMON
Rev. H. w. Kellogg Delivers an
Interesting Talk at the
y. NJ. c. A.
UNIQUE LESSON DRAWN

Before the Y. NJ. c. A. yesterday after
noon Rev Fl. w. Kellogg. pastor of Central
avenue NJ. f. church. talked on THE Call
of the Wild" lie said ia part:
This is the title of book recently pub
lished that has justly had a wide reading.
Ii is strong story Dog nature Is well
exhibited. possibly a little exaggerated. but
surely presented 10y a master. To the
mOrast il has a lesson In degeneration
that cannot afford to pass and it will
serve me to-day for a parable. / do not
know the authors intent, but surely he
reversal of type in a most impressive man
ner. The hero dog, a NewfOundland-Shep
herd. laree and beautiful of his kind. was
betrayed by a misera BILE fellow and sold
from the free life of a sunny California
ranch into the Alaskan Klondyke rush. He
was subjected to all manner of abuse, and
exposed 10 the hardshiDs of that terrible
country. He was obliged TO adapt him
self 10 the wild customs of dog life i'm sleep
ing under the snow and eating what he
could get from the rest of the dogs. He
was made a part of dog team and sub
jected to wearying and wearing toll. The
experience is called by the author the law
OF club and fang He learned the cunning
methods Of the native dogs. only little
removed from the wolf. through sad eX-
periences that tore his flesh and kept him
in perpetual suffering He wanted to meet
these miserable fellows I'm open battle but
they would not fight that way. But ne came
to master them through their own deceitful
metnOQS. ana NaOQulSheQ the last or them
in one final and bloody battle
He fell into the hands OF one Hal. an
inexperienced, brutal. bigoted monster, and
nearly persisted under his rule. Ii was "A
the mouth Of White river on the route 10
Dawson, q trial he had often made. that
he met his delverer I'm one Thornton. who
peLIlenoed MIN from inc ABUSES OF MS
wicked master and by kindness nOuriShed
him back TO life. He soon gained his old
strength and beauty. There SDrang up an
attachment under the inspiration OF which
Ha rIxsrfs. IL. -
of his master, even ventuTing his own. and
was himself rescued at the point OF death.
These incidents are thrilling. and afford an
opportunity Tor the geniOus OF the author.
The lesson l would have YOU learn is
that the remnant Of that old nature within
Us that still responds to the call Of the
wild, that seems 10 pass so easily and
quickly retracing the pathway OF our
civilization back TO the ages OF brutality
and crime. A boy. brought up under the
most refining influences Of this age. blessed
with the joy and kindness OF the best OF
homes. will i'm few years reverse IL ALL
destroy il all. and become a brute. Touch
ing noses with beastly habits will change
him 10 the vilest beast, unfit for associa-
ton with the decent. This il not theory
not book Incidents. but severe experience
that may be seen almost any street in
this and every city OF our land. And IL
has seemed 10 me sometimes that those
from our most favorable homes are the
ones to sink TO the deepest depths OF de-
bauchcIy and sin.
I'VE all of Us need TO fear the soliciting
voices that come 10 Us from the baser SCI.
Paul. in advanced age. was fearful that he
might some time become a castaway. and
he felt the need OF keeping "A tight mastery
over his body. The one link to the better
life was the love az a man Love is the
Tedeemng force of life. Cherish il and we
are safe: despise IL and We are gone. IL
may be expressed In a mother. the purest
earthly form. or a sister. or a brother or
father. Whatever IL Is. and however il
takes hold or US. let IL have fun force.
But highest of all is its influence in the
man Jesus. Here il Is divine. pure and in
spring. Ii rises TO the force OF expulsion
and inspiration. This is the worlds hope
! and life"