Year: 1878

From the n. Y. Herald, Nov 25th.


The Rev. T. Dewitt Talmage, d. D.,
yesterday morning continued his series Of
sermons on the Might Side of City Life, >
preaching this time about stThieves and
Assassins." The Brooklyn Tabernacle was
crowded as usual, and among the audience
was large number of clergymen. After
the opening hymn, "Stand up for Jesus, -
during which all the congregation stood
up-Mr. Talmage began his sermon with
the text, Luke, x, 80: GA certain man
went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and
fell among thieves, who stripped him of his
raiment, and wounded him, and departed,
leaving him half dead"


The scene of these highwaymen's attack,
said the pastor, was a rocky ravine, where
robbers have first-rate chance. The scene
of this lonely road is repeated every night
in our great cities. I have spoken to you
of the night of pauperism, of debauchery
and of shame, of official neglect and brlbe-
ry. tell you now of the night of theft
and burglary, the night Of pistol and dirk
and bludgeon, the night Of assassination.
In reply to the question, "Who is my
neighbour" Christ is setting forth the doc
trine that wherever there is man in trouble
there is your neighbor. Before I get
through l will show you that you have
some very dangerous neighbors, and also
what is your moral responsibility in their
regard.


I said to the chief official: "Give me for
the night two stout detectives, men who not
only are muscular bullock muscular. Show
me crime," I said, "the worst, the most
villainous and the most violent" l took
with me only the officers Of the law, for l
never want any one to run risks on my ac-
count. Having undertaken for Christian
purposes to show up the lower depths
felt l must go On till the work be complet-
ed. "Why did you not first look for the
criminal classes of Brooklyn?" It was not
for any lack of material; there is no place
in the land where you can get your pocket
picked more easily. There are all kinds of
crime from manslaughter to chicken theft.
(Laughter.) But the great depots of crime
for all this cluster of cities are in New
York. Brooklyn sin is as enterprising as
possible for the number of inhabitants; but
{. million people on an island-what stage
and what an audience on which and before
whom crime may enact its tragedy!


Nothing impressed me more on the night
of my exploration than the respect which
the law conpels. Why do those ten ruff
ans instantaneously stop their blasphemy
and uproar and wrangle9 An officer has
only turned back the lapel Of his coat and
displayed his badge of authority. Govern
ment is ordained of Heaven, and any police
officer, so far as he does his duty, is dep
uty of the Lord Almighty. When one is
backed up by omnipitent justice he can do



DEN OF THIEUEs.--


But what is this glazed window and
these mysterious goings in and coming
out? 1t is what the Bible calls den of
They would not admit it. 1t
can't be proved to be such, for the keeper
and patrons ara the accutest men In the
city. Before each man is a glass of beer or
strong intoxicant. They will not drink to
but will take only just
enough to excite their courage.


They want their hands steady and their
ayes clear. Some are talking over last
nights exploit; others are planning for to-
night. They are in collusion with a sell
gant who is to leave back window un-
ocked. They know the time the wealthy
nan goes home inebriated and how they
'hall come out Of the dark alley and bring
lim down with the slungshot. In this den
If thieves how many false keys, ugly pock-
It knives, brass knuckles, and revolvers
There are few vulgar pictures on the wall
md the inevitable bar. Rum these people
must have to rest them aft ter exciting ma
'auding; rum they must have before they
tart for new expedition of arson or larce-
~ or murder. Not ordinary rum. It has
,eeH poisoned fear tin,es-frst by the man
lfacturer, then by the wholesale dealer, then
" the retailer, then by the saloon keeper.
Having been poisoned four times it is just
light now to fit one for any cruelty or des-
,eration. These men have calculated to
he last quarter of glass just how much is
nough to qualify them for their work.
They are professional criminals. There are
bout 1890 of them in New York. There
re the bank robbers--about 60 in number
who bind the watchman and have the de-
Iteration of whole night to see whether
he cashier is keeping his accounts correct
=. (Laughter.) These are the men who
rant to look into your directory, and after
ropping the directory investigate the
money safe. These are the forgers who get |
ne of your cancelled checks and one of |
our blank checks, and practice writing |
our name. These are the pick-pockets-
bout 600 of them-who ride beside you in |
tages, helping you pass the change
stand beside you when
hopping, and weep beside you at funerals,
nd sometimes bow their heads beside you
a churches, doing their work with such
exterity that your afiction at the loss of
be money is mitigated by appreciation of
be skill Of the operator. (Laughter.) The
lost successful Of these are females, on the
rinciple that when woman is good she is
etter than man. but when bad she is
rorse. Some of these thieves take the garb
clergymen, have the dignity of doctors OF
ivinity and look as if they were just going
, pronounce the benediction. (Laughter.)
ONE dash in jewelry windows, and before
ne clerks know what the excitement is are
block away, looking innocent and ready
, ioin in the pursuit of the offender, with
,entorian voice crying "Stop thief r
Laughter.)


WHO TAKES THE PROFIT.


You wonder whether these men and wo-