The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-01-19
Wasted Life Furnishes
Theme for Fine Sermon


Edward Ross, now in the Walla
Waila penitentiary serving SEN
tence of one year imposed on MIN
By a North Yakima judge for the
crime of forgery. has had career
watch furnished the theme for ser
mon.
Before the self confessed forger was
removed TO the penitentiary, he gave
to Rev DIR. F. l.. Hayden of North
Yakima. 4 full history of his life. 1t
was written in the spirit of a truly
penitent man VINO has determined TO
break with his past life and redeem
his character and good name by an
after life of honesty and virtue. The
confession. if such it can be called,
contained so much that could be or
vaiua as q warning to the young that
Or. Hayden used it as the ground for
ms sermon last Sunday evening. He
spoke to a large and intensely inter-
ested audience. After giving history
of the case. the pastor read parts of
the confession OF the young man and
spoke in part as follows:
Lied to the Minister.
NV connection with this case was
not self chosen. was called to the
iaii one night several weeks ago at
the solicitation Of a young man call
ing nimSelf Archie James. AT this first
meeting the young man pretended to
give me his true name. but he lied to
I, ~, 81
meeting. ! learned his name and who
ms parents are, together with other
necessary facts, through other sources
Again and again he appealed to me
for my confidence. and as often did
Ne betray it. For all that | believed
there was enough in the young man
that was worth saving to continue my
efforts to help him. When l remember
Sam HadIey ard Jerry McCauley, who
were redeemed from the lowest depths
3f iniuuity. | am not disheartened as
IL q favorable outcome in this case.
Jesus Christ can save this man and by
4 life of truth he can yet redeem him
aeIf
Most Accomplished Liar.
During my intercourse with him l
found him to Oe the most accomplished
iiar | ever met. Sat the age of II.
he says. my true nature began to ap-
pear. | was deceptive. crafty. would
not submit to restraint. conceited and
determined to do as l pleased" These
are the characteristics that, being
given free rein. led the young man to
tns awful climax. He was not ma
turally vicious, but headstrong. In
stead Of kindness and loving appeal to
snow him the evil of his course, ap-
peal was made to the ROD and to harsh
criticism The inevitable result was"
ne continues, that ] became con- |
Celted, cgotstiCal youth. arrogant and |
self willcd. ard fully resolved to do |
IS | pleased. the worst attributes any |
young man can possess" Boys. are |
you hearing These words are not
the reprimand of your father nor the |
religious appeals of your pastor. They !
are the sober, earnest statements of |
young man who has seen the folly of !
this course. "This continued until I |
was wholly bad. | stayed out late at |
night, gambled and drank and smoked !
cigarettes. Gambling was my curse. |
Sometimes l won. again l lost. Money |
got in that way never does anybody i
any good" Do you hear thaat. boys?
Every penny of the gamblers winnings |
has on it the faint of dishonesty. the
brand of a thief. How could it yield |
any moral good
Accused Fever Of Gambling.
"There seems to be certain fas- |
cinatiOn about gambling l never could |
withstand" ne writes. ooh. that is the
fever that runs rich in the brain of
the one who touches the accused
Things, fever that burns out all sense
OF honor and right and sets on fire
every selfish and dishonorable passion. |
These games cannot be honestly play |
ed so that no moral harm may come. |
Cards are the deadly pitfall of hui
mainly, the curse of the youth, the |
soace of the thief. Do you say this |
young man is one of the weak ones?
That you are notc That you can play |
with perfect safety to your moral life?
1t may be so. But who knows but
the occasion may arise in your life
when a weakness appears that you do
not now suspect and that will prove
your ruin. Anyway. the companion
of your so-caHed innocent game may
be a weak one" and by your influ-
cnce you hasten him to his ruin. But
after many years of observation
and experience l am firmly convinced
that no one. old or young. man or wo-
man. can take this fire into their bosom
without being burned.
Here are some lessons for parents.
Tnis boy began his life of deceit in a
Christian home. But even Christian
parents do not always show that SYM
pathy with their hayward children
that the case requires. Many fathers
are to busy to study and understand
tneir children. Many mothers are so
SurGened with cares home religious