The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-01-10

theater-going. dancing and card-play-
ing and justly 50, because it is argued
that persons participating in these
TecreatiOns cannot cultivate the
Christian virtues, but this is not suffi
Cient excuse since the same might be
said Of many other ways employed to
dispel the mOnOtOny of leisure hours.
Many products of the dramatic art
uplift man and point to him that which
is ennObliug. The majority of plays
today are but filth. Young men viii
take girls to witness a play in which
the neither limbs of femininity are fea-
tured when he would not dare enter
a residence in the red-light district in
day time for fear of being observed
Church members do that He viii
escort his female side-tick to hear
Tibald songs and questionable jokes,
when he would not presume to ask
the color of her stOckings-church
members do that. There is no harm
in dancing, in fact, it is excellent
exercise, but so also are backyard
sweeping and biscuit baking, The
chief objection Of the church to dane
ing Is its laSciviOUs thought-pTOmOting
tendencies The moral ruin of many
a young girl can be traced 10 the
dance This is a matter in which con
sistency is an unknown quantity with
some devOut church members. Thay
will partake Of the Lords supper, put
a whole quarter in the contribution
box, shout with fervOr during the
chanting OF the dOXoIogy and then go
home TO discuss the forthcoming
small euchre party for the eldest
daughter, followed by dancing"
Bridge and Craps.
We hear the influential member de-
crying from the hOUse-tOps the evils
of gambling and intemperaRce-dec
ing the poor workingman who engages
in ten cent crap game a tit subject
for he'll and next day he gives an order
for engraved cards of invitation TO a
bridge blowout at his home There's
no difference between the fashionable
eUChre party and the game Of craps
both are similar in principle. but
differ in environment and participants
and of the two, the shuffler of the
bones" has the better chance to
tread the alabaster pavement there
after
Christianity consists not only in
TeyeTential attendance upon church
functions, wearing 4 sanctif1ed physi-
OgnOmy and chanting psIams. That
brand Of goods is but one day long
There IS more genuine Christianity
manifested in giving a hve-cent pack
age of peanuts to the GUESSING street
gamin than in all the psalm singing
that may be crowded into a month o.
Sundays. To the church must be &C
corded credit for much Of the good
that is promulgated in this and every
city, but il has done but a 1.-THE OF
what should and could be done
Why are 50 MANY of our young girls
traversing the evil path2 Why are
certain Of cur wharves so attractive
to Youths on moonlight nights2 Be
cause the church. as represented in
parents, IS not assiduOUS enough TO
check evil Our churches are too Sc
elusive and too conservative The
edifces themselves often tend to keep
the poor away by the lavish appoint
ments. the wealthy communicates by
their fine raimenJ and suObbeTy tend
10 deter attendance Of the victims Of
adversely Open wide the portals,
bid all enter regard ess Of creed or
social position. be as willing TO re-
ceive the habitUe Of the under world
and district Of shame as the leader in
swelIdOm.
Enter the demi-monde parts OF the
city, raid the saloon, throw aside the
sanctim0nious mask and assume z
cheerful couatenauCe and practice the
Golden RUle-the very essence Of re-
Iigion-aEd IN our hurried fight
through the wilderness Of life try TO
halt long enough 70 heed the cry of
the oppressed:
While on others thou art ealing,
do not pass me by"
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