The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-09-25
RIGHT INFLUENCES LACKING
Decay of Morality in the Nation Today
is Traced to the Fact That the Right
Training is Not Being Given in the
Homes, Schools, and Churches.
fFrom Wednesdays Daily.)


That wave of immortality is sweep
ing over the land, which can be stop
ped only by the combined cooperative
efforts of the home, was the statement
made by John Alexander, Boys secre-
tary of World s Sunday School associa-
ton, at the noorday luncheon at the
Guild Hall, at which more than hun
dred business men Of Kenosha were
present.
This wave touches every part of our
country, and affects only the immature
high school boys and girls, hence the
need for quick action, he said.
In explaining his statement, Mr.. Alex
ander took up all the factors which
enter into the lives of young people and
analysed them. The home, the school
and the church are the three organiza
tions which have the right to mold the
lives of the boys and girls. All other
factors are merely first aids to these
three primary bodies.
However, through our modern econ
omic conditions the home is no longer
what it was, and can render no scholas-
tic ~ religions Instruction to the young.
Yet as factor the home mast be
counted out. Again, since it is against
the rules Of the present educational
system to have religious instruction in
the schools, that body as a factor in
religious work is also nil. The school,
however, has the molding of the future
citizens in its hands and accomplishes
much good in the given direction. But
without the powers which it should ex-
ercise the institution is poWerless to
stop much of the immortality. AS a re-
suit the church is the only resource left
for the teachings of morality and re-
ligion. 1t is the last stronghold left
in the fight for higher ideals, and were
that to fail, this nation would be in
precarious condition.
In so grave time as this there
should be no divisions in the churches
Every sect and creed must stand back
to back with every other in regenerat-
ing the minds Of the coming citizens.
Much good in this direction has been
done in Colorado, and as a result of the
system enforced there conditions are in
much better state than they were be-
fore. Wisconsin will endeavor to fol
low the path of the other leaders in
moral instruction, and for that purpose
the various Bible associations have
rendered Mr.. Mackenzie the office of
secretary in the state, a position which
he has accepted. Mr.. Mackenzie is at
present associated with Mr.. Alexander.
Another thing touched upon by Mr..
Alexander was the fact that the time
to cater to the minds of the children
with wholesome material is when they
are between the ages of 13 and 90. At
this period in their lives they make up
their minds, especially when they are
about IA to Is. At such a time Grim
inality, immortality, and work have
their strongest appeal.
In order to ward off the baser
thoughts and ideas it is necessary to
find good work for the young people
and to guard them carefully. This
can be done by careful selection and
planning Of their vocational educa
ton.
Mr.. Alexander made strong plea for
bitter vocational schools, and predicted
tf"t within a decade the systems of
dr. alton would be so changed as
to give that form of school the pref
erence.
"The greatness of q land is due to
the moral and religious convictions of
TIE pioneers; the solidity of the founda-
tons of the institutions of this country
is built on the ideals Of the found
ers,' said Mr.. Alexander, and in or
der to continue to have solid founda-
lions we must have high ideals We
must have the cooperation of every
man in this grave matter and when
they join in raising the standard of
morality among the younger generation
our country will again be interrupted. u
1t was announced that Mr.. Alexan-
der would speak tonight at the Park