Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-01
DISCUSSES GRAVE. Peril s
WHICH THREATEN HOMES
Dr. Lambeth Says Not Only Must Steps Be Taken to En-
terrain Young Men, but Young Girls of Commu-
nifty Must Be Safeguarded

Tho Greatest Peril That Ever
Threatened Our Homes" was the topic
discussed by Rev. Graham II. Lambeth,
dist Church last night. DR.. Lambeth
stated that he was discussing. at the
suggestion of conference Of the min
listers of the city. the fearful menace to
the moral wellbeing Of boys and girls
through the unusual conditions incident
to our country's preparation for war.
He took no text, but spoke simply and
very frankly of the dangers that beset
our homes in this time Of national
crisis.
Said DR.. Lambeth: Nothing more
fearful in all the history Of the world
has happened than this war. Think of
the destruction and devastation: of the
Reorganization of industrial and COM
mercial enterprises; of the tremendous
burden OF debt to be passed on to the
next generations; OF the multitudes
wounded. crippled and incapacitated for
life: of the thousands killed. and Of the
widows and orphans left alone to face
the fearful issues of tho future. But
more awful than all combined is tho
moral effect. War is inevitably a time
of moral disaster and social disinte-
grafton. Unusual conditions are pre-
ctDitated and regular relations are un-
settled: associations are shifted and
changed: common conventions are
broken down and the ideals Of multi
tudes are lowered and damaged Tho
result is degeneration of character In
numerous instances.
This Is what we are facing and will
face in increasing degree in this coun-
try. The two dangers 1 desire to suE-
Eest tonight as constituting tho great
menace to our homes are: first. tho
danger to the boys In the training
camps: and. second. to the girls and
young women in the vicinity of those
camps.
FORCES OF EVIL
MOBILIZE ABOUT CAMPS
1T fs always true that the forces of
evil mobilize around an army or a
training camp. Men and women with
out character or conscience. gamblers.
sharpers. vendors Of drink, immoral
persons-human vultures-will lie in
wait to prey upon the boys, caring
nothing that they debauch and destroy
them, so that their greed of gain Is
served.
These thousands Of young men will
De away from the refining and restrain
ing influences OF their homes. They
VIII be lonely, seeking in their hours
or leisure such companionships and
recreations as they may be able to And
thousands OF them will be thrown on
tho streets of strange communities
rev or them will enjoy the privilege
Oh entering homes and coming into con-
tact with refined and gentlewomen.
me peril is obvious. Many Of them
VIII fall victims to the snares and en-
ticements of the underworld.
fhe most narrowing news filters
through from England and Franc. NJ
the immortality and vice and drunk.n-
ness prevalent in tho communities
where the soldiers spend their fur
ouEns. We must not permit our ma
'riotlc fervor to blind us to the facts
Literally thousands Of British and Ca
madam soldiers have been incanaci-
tntcd Tor service by reason Of dissIna-
uon and the contracting of loath-
some diseases. Literally thousands will
como forth from this war ruined in
their moral character.
MUST MOBILIZE THE
foRCES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Near an adjacent city nearly so.
600 young men will be encamned
! thousands OF them will spend their
leisure time In Richmond. Gathering
around them and pressing upon them
the vicious classes will seek to evad.
All law and defy NIL public sentiment
10 get at them and despoil them
herculean task confronts the peonle ~
richmond II we wish to discharoe
our solemn duty towards these Young
men. 1t is a task that calls for great
courage and unselfshness and conse
Grafton. We must mobilize the force,
of righteousness to challenge The rioht
or the forces OF evil to ruin our bows
we must provide suitable accommoda
ions and helpful SURROUNDINGS for their
entertainment. though we have To nut
our hands deep into our pockets to do
IT, We must set over against the gate
ways of hell doorways that VIII oman
10 innocent associations and attractive
nmusements.
Another and not less alarming dan
ger confronts our girls; these girls that
walk the streets OF our city with a
freedom that would have appalled orr
ia'hers. Not long ago we were careful
10 watch and protect our women, II
was not then considered safe or proper
10 parade the streets. When they went
down town to shop, they went modest
a'ured' quietly made their purchases
ana AM, quickly returned TO their homes.
=" hen darkness fell they went out only
when accompanied and protected Rut
times have indeed changed. Hundreds
OF them now promenade Broad Street
from early in the afternoon until bed
,fhe' with no purpose In the world
Out TO CAD about. Conspicuously, some
times disgustingly. CARRIED, the faces
OF many made up" bold at times In
their demeanor. swinging their swaE-
ger sticks, they walk up and down
apparently indifferent to how MANY
loafers are ogling them or what re-
marks are directed at them.
RESULTS ALREADY SEEN
IN JUVENILE COURT
In this
times OF peace, remember that crowds
OF soldiers will be on the streets seek
ing adventure and amusement. Re-
member. not all OF them will be gen
tlemen. The selective draft has recog-
nized but one qualification for the new
army-tt Is physical not moral, The
draft has combed the whole country
and has caught not only gentlemen.
put others Remember that the uni
form has taken on in these times a
glamor and glory that appeal to the
emotional nature OF immature and in
nocent girls. Remember that in the
shallow thinking of many girls the
WearerS OF the uniform arc ;pyo,taa