The Cairo bulletin., 1904-10-16

years, on every tower anu ~ an ,no
gates soldier is stationed as militia
~ Waterman to keep vigil until the
day breaks.
1t is merely formal routine duty that
the British sentinel on the Tower now
has to perform, but in former times
there was need of all his vigilance.
| From his watchtower he might see
the approach of n foreign foe or IN
some part of the great slulnbering
/ city spread out en- all sides below him
he might witness the outbreak of In
surreeton. We can Imagine how anx-,
ious in those unquiet times might
be the tone Of the officer OF the guard,
who, visiting him, would ask, Watch
man, what of the night?" That
means. How goes the night? What
is the ncwsf Tell me what you have
seen. What are the prospects aheady'
This is the symbol OF the watchman.
1t Is thus that the ancient prophet
represents himself as observing the
signs of the times. The people cry to
him. what have you SEEM And lie
answers them not only by describing
the spectacies lie has witnessed, but
warning them OF the Judgment inn
pending over them 1t is so that every
minister OF the present day il COM
mssioued II is his duty TO observe
the habits and customs of his time
md warn tile sinner of the evil of his
way. II the question is asked him,
"what Of the night:" he must often
give q sad and painful report. When
men have left their daily tasks and Civ
en- free rein to their inclinatiOns, what
do they do; How do they spend the
hours of darkness? How is it in our
own city?
As see the sun sink behind the Los
Angeles hills | see ignited one by one
the different lights OF the many places
Of pernicious amusement. These diff
ferent lights, ms destroying flames. be
gin to beckon the young men and the
young women into their fascinating
haunts. see the stage curtains lifted
before many an. allHring group OF
actresses and chorus girls. such as was
seen in the wealthy capital of Samaria
on the night when Il disreputable dane
ing girl, Salome by name. danced
among the licentious guests of her step
father, Herod. and by sinuous move
ments OF limb and suggestive look OF
sin 50 captiSated the drunken king that
he promised her anything that she
might ask Of him, even to the half of
his kingdom.
Dance Cost Life of a saint.
John the baptist lost his life on ac-
count OF that dance-l But many man,
not. like John. 10 prison. but in orches
, TIN chair. liagsiost his head. both moral
il and spiritually. as the result Of an
immoral show on the theater boards
There may he good theaters. know
that some people whom | respect at
tend the theater But | know there
are also vile theaters. | also know
some Of these vile theaters are attend
ed regularly by some 50 called good
people. And ] also know that these
vile shows are the haunts Of spiritual
and physical death.
When wrote this sermon there lay
upon my siudy desk n powerful edi-
torial upon IStage denominations. IL
lately appeared in one Of the greatest
secular newspapers or The present day.
This editorial was not written 10y
minister. hut byT-iayinan who per
haps never enters church. IL SAID:
1T dds not seem possible that the
Ifst In
denominations that are constantly he
ing inflicted upon 81 from behind the
foo,Iights Of the ileaters If the pres
cnt day. Surely the vuigariiies and
insecrIicieS Of actors and actresses Of
the present day who substitute 1lih
aud vile insinuations for wit md h'i-
nor are not 50 licensed that they can
- -fr-~..f 81. 80. -. fara--r.r a ifhoslt re-