PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. In issuing this collection from our press we do it in the profound conviction that the Christian community and the great American Public in general will appreciate these soul-stirring discourses on the temptations and vices of city life, by Dr. Talmage as seen by him in his midnight explorations in the haunts of vice of New York City, with his exposure of the traps and pitfalls that tempt our youth from the path of rectitude. They are written in his strongest descriptive powers, sparkling with graceful images and illustrative anecdotes; terrible in their earnestness; uncompromising in denunciation of sin and wickedness among the high or low, sparing neither rich nor poor; and are Dr. Talmage's best efforts in his earnest, aggressive warfare against the foes of society, every page burning with eloquent entreaty for a better, purer life, and are of intense, soul-absorbing interest to all who look for the advancement and higher development of the human race. This work is the ONLY REVISED AND AUTHORIZED Publication of Dr. Talmage's sermons. CONTENTS. A PERSONAL EXPLORATION IN HAUNTS OF VICH. Ezekiel Commanded to Explore Sin in His Day-Divine Commis sion to Explore the Iniquities of Our Cities-"Wild Oats”—Criti- cism of Papers-Three Million Souls for an Audience-Houses of Dissipation-Moral Corpses-Cheapness of Furnishing-Music and Pictures-The Inhabitants Repulsive-Surrounded by Music- Young Men From the Country-Triumph of Sin-Blood of a Mother's Heart-Cannot Hide Bad Habits-Fratricide and Matri. "Policeman, What of the Night ?"-Desperadoes in Jerusalem — King Solomon's Household-Night of Three Watches-Two Elders of the Church-Muscular Christianity-Pulpit Physical Giants— Spiritual Athletes-Thomas Chalmers-Deepest Moral Slush of his Time-Hue and Cry Raised-" Ye Hypocrites"—Men of Wealth Support Haunts of Sin-Gospel for the Lepers of Society—A Mo loch Temple-Heads of Families-Public Officers-Obstacles in the Gambling Houses Costly Magnificence Untrue-Merciless Place of these Sermons-Holy Imbecility-Christmas Night at the Farit Genesis xiv: 10—American Cities-Devil Advertising Free Gratıs -Purlieus of Death-Hard Working Classes Missed-Grand Trunk Railroad-Fortunate Young Men-Vortex of Death-Miḍnight on Earth-Sense of Piety-"Kept" Maelstrom of Iniquity-Aching Hearts-Fragments of Broken Homes-Miserable Copy of European Dissipations-Toadyism-Revolution Needed Public Opinion- Police Complicity-Edward Livingstone-The Printing Press- A Mighty City-Midnoon-Midnight-Clerical Reformer-Thei Rat"-New Recruits-New Regiments--The Shipwrecked-The Two Magic Lanterns-The Home-A Change of Scene-Another! Enemy of all Good-"Give me 500,000 Souls"-But a Short Time - Elevated Railroads-Crowded to Death-Underground Railroads— Castle Garden-Jenny Lind-Trinity-New York Dailies—Mighti- ness of the Press“ Nations Born in a Day”—Exhaustion of Health -Newsboys Lodging House-Boys-Extra Romp and Hilarity- Over the Doorway-Savings Banks-Western Fever Among Them- Howard Mission-Good and Bad Amusements-Temptation-“Come with Me"--Stinging Remorse-To Hesitate is to Die.................. The Attack-Night of Theft and Assassination-"Who is my |