The Washington herald., 1908-08-03

As a prelude to his sermon at the sun
day evening services of the Hamhne
Methodist Episcopal Church yesterday.
Rev Charles Z. Guthrie pastor. spoke on
the recent crusade begun by the District
authorities TO I'D the city Of vice.
Although he commended the efforts
made 10 establish cleanliness in public
places. Mr. Guthrie devoted most Of his
address TO the more recent campaign
inaugurated by the police department TO
stamp out the section which has long
been an eyesore 20 the best people Of
Washington
This cleaning Up should not merely be
moving ground" said the clergyman
1t viii not mean anything 20 the city
20 shovel Up a load Of Nth from one
place and simply move il TO another"
In anticipation OF she address. an audi
ence that filed tile auditorium OF the
church was present Preceding the meet
ing an open-air song service. participated
in by each Of the five companies which
had conducted services at various points
in the .neighborhood. was held in the
churChyard-
Three NIach-needed Reforms.
In speaking Of the municipal house
cleaning programme Mr.. Guthrie said:
Washington recently celebrated the
removal Of its District government head
quarters 10 the new District Building.
Perhaps no city in the country enjoys
quarters in a more beautiful or com
u odious structure Since the celebration
occurred three important announcements
have been made 10 the public concern
ing movements which are OF interest TO
the whole cIty-one has 20 do with the
comfort Of the residents in the suppress
sion or removal OF useless noises. a most
commendable thing in itself. and one in
which every citizen may not only give
his approval. but may give assistance
that Will facilitate the ends sought by
our public servants
The second has 20 do with the health
Of the public IN a movement for clean
Iiness This. too. is deserving Of high
commeuGation. and may be furthered by
a little care on the part Of every citizen
The third and most important Of ALL
has 10 do with the morals Of the city
A section which has long been an eye
sore 10 the best people OF Washington
Is about 10 be cleaned Up. so We are told
This announcement ought TO bring great
JOY 10 everybody. The police authorities
cannot be commended too highly for what
they are doing. and for what II is under
stood they mean TO do, in giving 10 the
citizens OF Washington a better city 20
live in.
No Time to Throw stones.
1T is sometimes thought TO be a good
thing 10 throw stones at police officers.
and 70 make them the scape- goats for
public indifference to conditions which
are allowed 10 harden into permanent
evils This is no time for the public
70 censUre its servants. when they man
ifest a desire 70 bring about better con
ditions. but there are three or four things
which the Christian people OF Washing
ton ought 10 keep steadily IN mind. II
the present movement IS 70 accomplish
what 1t ought
One Of these IS that a cleaning up
ought 10 Be a cleaning up and not a
moving around Il will not mean any
thing 10 the city. as a whole. 10 shovel
up a load Of filth from one place and
simply move Il 10 another
Some sO-called philosophers may de-
clare that certain evils are necessary and
thereby seek 10 tasten upon the city
for longer life iniquities that ought 10
die These same so-caIled philosophers
ought 10 recognize that anything which
Is necessary cannot be sinful. and, there
fore. ought TO invite such 10 be the
neighbors. II not the associates Of their
families but the better thinking people
VIII not be deluded by sophistries such
as these Let US have a cleaning UP.
and nothing less than that
A Duty for Christians.
IN the second place. there ought TO
be a readiness among Christian people
10 provide al easy rescue Of those who
desire 10 escape from the awful slavery
in which they are bound Many OF these
victims are as much siHned against as
shining. and with a little Of the Redeem
er's pity. and some exhibition Of Christ's
spirit at such a time as this may make
II possible sOr many enslaved girls 70
find a road back to self-respect and
purity and goodness. II ought, also. to
mean an advanced move among men.
4 male prostitute IS as pernicious and
despicabIe a creature as one Of the op-
posite sex
Advantage should be taken OF this
public move 70 enlist men in g move
Tnent for personal enlistment in a pure
life, and insistance upon the single stand
OF morals for both sexes Il ought
also. 10 mean a stronger public senJi-
ment for Washington, thereby making
il more difficult for these evils to fasten
themselves upon US than ever before.
In all these things, Christians and
churches Of all names have a great op-
portunity for service for God and for
humanity which viii be far reaching.
Let US hope that there viii be a gen
eral desire 10 improve the opportunity -