Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 7, 1907

Out of the Cities

THAT the instruction which has come to us in reference to moving out of the cities was founded in wisdom is being continually verified. The purpose of that instruction was that both parents and children might escape the corrupting influences of the artificial life of the populous centers. The difference between the general country attitude and the general city attitude toward the liquor question gives forceful evidence in this matter. One instance, characteristic of many similar situations, will suffice:—

Jefferson County, Alabama, after one of the hottest campaigns in its history, has voted to oust the liquor business. The majority for the whole county in favor of prohibition is reported to be about fifteen hundred. But the city of Birmingham, with about forty thousand inhabitants, gave a considerable majority against the prohibition measure.

The liquor traffic, as all other forms of vice and corruption, finds its most fertile soil in the cities. While they are still to be fields for missionary effort, their atmosphere is so infected with the virus of evil as to make them dangerous places in which to bring up our children. All that is evil grows luxuriantly there.