The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-11-10
AN EDITOR ON PUBLIC MORALS


The York Baptist Association took an unusual
step this fall when it asked the editor, A. M. Grist
of the Yorkville Enquirer to write its report on
public morals.
Here is the dscouraging and challenging docu-
ment he produced. reprinted from the Baptist
Courier:
Having been assigned this subject, Public Nor
ais As Seen BY An Editor" naturally wonder if
recognize that most people differ in their viewpoint
on public issues and questions.
Quite frequently we hear the assertion that
public morals are BETTER" but, sorry to say, |
cannot agree with that assertion as facts cannot
be denied As proof we will turn to the Holy Writ
for yardstck to lay alongside present day NOR
ais, and the Ten Commandments is my choice, for
they neither shrink nor expand-they are fixed
rigid. You are to be the Judge of the correctness
of the measurement:
l. Thou shalt have no other gods We all know
America has other gods than Jehovah-money
social power, political power, worshipped, and
even individuals are worshipped by self and others
9 Thou shalt make no craven image: For Je-
hovah is jealous God No, we do not bow down
to craven imageS-but there certainly many
things we do love more than God Who really
keeps this commandment?
g. Thou shalt not take Jehovah's name in vain
Yet what is more common today than the use of
profanity?
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
No one can say we dot is desecrated with i'm
punty and for laboring six days even the govern
ments of the states and the nation are discourage
ing that command. What of church and Sunday
school attendance? Why so many JOY riders on the
Sabbath?
5. Honor thy Father and Mother. This is hardly
fashionable today. Try to deny it if you can-yet
a great promise goes with it.
6. Thou shalt not kill Never in the worlds his
tory has there been many killings on highways,
and in cold blood--and wars and rumOrs of wars
Disobedence to Gods plain command.
Z. Thou shalI not commit adultery. Never in
history has this commandment been so wantonly
dsregarded. Divorce courts kept busy and look in
other directions for proof. Our own state in its
marriage laws practically legaizes adultery.
s. Thou shalt not steal. This is violated in high
and low places. We look with shame the sneak
thief and admiration the fellow in high places
who gets by under the guse of business. The per-
son who short-weghts you or takes advantage in
a trade are examples of the thief
g. Thou shalt not bear false witness A very
common breach of public morals A judge recent,
ly said that he felt that half the testimony given
by witnesses in court was untrue. Listen and you'll
hear neighbors gossiping-large part is false wit
nessing-who here is guilty?
10. CovetouSness. What sin is more common?
We are all guilty more or less, not only, but in
our Utmost souls. We not satisfied with what
God has given US; we want the things, the high
places that belong to others whom we think are
more fortunate than are. This is topic for
endless discussion. No two would perhaps agree,
bu taS an editor, trying to keep up with current
happenings, | am forced to the conclusion that
public morals are not becoming better, and the
reason is that we have forgotten the God who made
us-Greenvie Is. c. Piedmont.