LOVERS OF PLEASURES by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 9, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 23.

"LOVERS OF PLEASURES."

By Editor

THE following manly protest we clip from a recent number of the New York Observer; it illustrates the tendency in the church, and shows that there are those who protest against these things, if they do also "sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof":—

As though jealous of the notice bestowed upon the unmitigated toughs who posed as heroes in the South, a Protestant church (save the mark!) recently posted conspicuously large bills, a verbatim copy of which is given below, names only being omitted for the sake of members of the denomination who would be horrified at such proceedings. A copy of this "bill" is sent to the editor of the Observer for proof:—

GOOD GRACIOUS MERCY!

HAS SHE CAUGHT THE VILLAIN?

THAT SHREWD LADY DETECTIVE FROM THE WEST.

THE W. H. AND T. CO. will give a GRAND DRAMATIC EXPOSITION, at —— HALL, cor. —— and —— Sts., WEDNESDAY EVENING, JAN. 24th, 1894, for the benefit of SAINT PAUL'S —— CHURCH. To our many Friends, Do Come out and see the Two Middle Weight Pugilists, who will wonderfully amuse you in a Friendly and Scientific Four Round Contest for Points Only. GENERAL ADMISSION - - - 15 CENTS. General Committee.

And to this precious mixture of bad English, poorer taste, and worse morals, posted in the name of a great and respected denomination, which cannot be blamed for the occurrence, are affixed the names of seven women and nine men, including the pastor!

Now, I submit, such a prostitution of the holy names of church and pastor is a scandal to the cause of Christ, and deserves a disclaimer from all who love his church. An organization which stoops to such reprehensible methods of raising funds, simply masquerades in Christ's name, and is upon a lower moral level than the Duval Athletic Club, which is in such work "for revenue only," and is acknowledged to be a company of sports.