Blue-grass blade., 1908-07-05
BLUE GRASS BLADE

to help the weak, and to limit as far as
possible, the opportunities of temptation,
but after all the stability and morality of
society must depend upon the strength of
character of the individual.
There is in circulation in this country
today, without protest or opposition, a ire
mendous volume of polluted literature that
distorts the mind and strikes at the very
foundation of morality. These consist OF
books and periodicals, many of which may
be found in our public Libraries and to
which young men and women have free
access. Such as these would not be harmed
by the presence of saloon and may never
indulge in betting on horse race, and yet,
by reading, imbibing and discussing much
Of the literature mentioned, they are doing
more to wreck morality than all the saloons
and horse races combined.
Here is presented magnificent opportu.
nifty for some ardent reformer but he must
not be of the prurient Comstock type.
Clean literature make for clean people
and with clean people many of the evils
now complained of In society will disappear.
There may be something worthy of COM
mendation in the physical courage mani
tested by Rev. George Hayes, of Shelburn,
Indiana, by standing up in a pistol duel
against two officers of the civil law, but his
judgment is not to be admired. In the first
place minister of the gospel ought not to
violate the written law by even carrying a
pistol, much less to engage in deadly
combat
Reports from that section of the country
state that Rev. Hayes had been viciously
active in prohibition propaganda and accus-
ing the civil authorities with failure to en-
force the law, undertook to enforce 1t him.
SELF and caused himself to be sworn as a
special officer for that purpose While on
his mission OF law enforcement he encount-
cred John Myers and Curt McCloskey, con-
stables, when quarrel ensued as to the
respective rights and powers of these op.
posing officials, when Hayes drew his re-
volver. Myers drew his and ordered the
preacher to throw his hands up. Instead
of so-doing the preacher took a shot at
Myers with the intention of killing him and
the pistol battle followed McCloskey took
part in it as against the preacher and the
latter, battling againt two, from their re-
spective shelters, which they had sought,
kept up the interchange of shots until the
preacher got severe wound. The climax
came when town officials came up and ar
rested the three.
Here Is another instance of the peace
promoting power OF the Christian religion.
A professor of Christianity, a supposed
leader of people to a better and peace,
full life, worker in the vineyard of him
who is said to have been the prince. OF
peace, actually counting trouble by goins
about armed with loaded pistols, getting
himself sworn in a special officer to better
enable him to carry out his plans, and act
ually trying to kill another peace officer be-
cause he did not agree with him or did
not like him. Can it be possible that the
followers of such a man, If he has any,
could possess any higher moral sentiments
than himself? Is he setting a good ex-
ample2 Is he initiating his Jesus, who said
"resist not evil?"
Christian socialism appears to be the
latact move unon the mart of tho church TO