BABYLON BECOMING CHILDISH.
By Wm. Covert
A short time ago, while passing down a street in Fort Wayne, Ind., I was hailed by an interesting girl of perhaps twelve years. “Please, mister,” said she, “can you vote for my doll at Third Street Church this evening? Just one vote for the doll—only ten cents.” As I had no means of learning the merits of the several candidates for the prize at the church, I could but withhold my vote; for I noticed others who were equally solicitous for their dolls. I asked what all this meant, and was informed that Third Street Church was in need of means, perhaps to pay her minister, and the members were obliged to devise some way by which to raise the needed money. The parents of these girls could well afford to invest a few dollars in a nice doll to please their daughters provided they could turn this investment so as to raise the money for the church; so these daughters are sent out on the streets and into corners, stores, and shops, for the purpose of begging money to pay the pastor. They were going to have a great doll-baby show that evening for the benefit of Rev. —, D. D. Well did the prophet Isaiah prophesy concerning those blind watchmen, as recorded in chap. 56:10–13. These precious children need the vigilant watchcare of their mothers; they need to be instructed in holiness, purity, and virtue; but, alas! they are forced out where Satan has all chances to ruin them. They must learn to be bold and impudent before they can successfully canvass for the amusements that are gotten up in order to force the “roughs” to help support the pleasure-loving churches. May the Lord preserve a people, even in this degenerate age, who will let their works and virtues shine in the midst of the moral darkness.