The Shasta courier., 1867-06-08
Female Fashions--Plain TaIk to the
Women by Catholic Clergyman.

A very large audience, says the Buffalo
Express Of April 18th, assembled in st.
Joseph's Cathedral last evening, to hear the
lecture of Rev. w. f. Payne, of Rochester,
which was delivered for the benefit of the
Young Mems Catholic Association. About
one thousand tickets were sold by the mem.
bers.
" In like manner, women also in decent
apparel adorning themselves with modesty,
and not with plated hair, gold nor precious
stones but as it becometh women who pro-
fess godliness with good works" | Tim, iii.
The speaker after reading these two
verses, said the times are very much changed
since the apostles were first inspired by the
spirit Of God to pen the words. 1t would
appear from the Gospel that the pomp of
dress was confined almost exclusively to the
courts Of princes and kings. In our own
day this disorder, for it can be called by no
other name, exists in all ranks and classes of
society. In fact, we may say that there is
great deal more abuse in the present age in
respect to vanity among the middle and
lower classes than exists among those who
are considered to be in positions of wealth
and opulence. 1t is a difficult subject to
treat in the pulpit, and that is the reason
why preachers seldom touch upon it.
All ornamentation is net contrary to the
letter or spirit of the Gospel, but the exces-
sive use of ornaments is prevailing vice
among the female sex. The fashions are
extravagant and immodest. God sanctioned
the use of ornaments in the decoration of the
temple and altar in order to make them at
tractive to the Jews. That which would be
proper in some cases would be improper in
others. The condition of woman in life
should regulate her dress. A woman whose
husband was living persisted in wearing
widows weeds, and this drew out letter
from St. Austin, in which he laid down
three rules for the guidance of women
First, married woman should follow the
will of her husband. 1t was very good
rule, and TIE husbands present would no
doubt be very much obliged to me if | could
induce women to follow the will of their
husbands. The second rule, for those who
are not married, but may be engaged or
seeking an engagement. is equally salutary
it is to follow the will of their fathers and
mothers. The speaker said if a young lady,
nowadays, was to come to me and make
secret confession of the fact that she was
going to be married, and | should tell her to
go and consult her parents, she would think
| ought to have been born a hundred years
ago." There is nothing more absurd, they
think, than fer young ladies to consult their
parents; but they follow the guidance of
their own passions, and the results are
divorces, wretched lives and still more
wretched deaths The third rule of St
Austin related to those who had renounced
the world, and they should follow the will
of Him whom they had chosen to follow.
The first rule allowed considerable indul
gence in dress, which should be regulated by
the age and season. A little straw hat, ex-
ceedingly short skirts, very short cropped
hair (which a short time ago was the fashion
among ladies considerably advanced in
years. are proper in girls from eight to ten
years of age. but border on the ridiculous
and indecent in ladies of fifty summers
Marriage is the normal condition of men and
women, but when it is not sought for by
those who are free to enter into that state, 1t
shows that there is a cause, and that cause
is not favorable to virtue, religion or the
good of society. Only seven marriages were
soemnized in the Church of St. Bridget
last year. The cause is apparent. | broach
ed the subject to a young man not so very
Young. Understanding | heard he was
going to get married. He turned, and with
the simplicity of child ten years OF age
said j." Father Payne, | am surprised that
YOU should even think | was going to be
married. Bless your life (his very words.)
could net keep my wife III dry goods
IIaughter1 When / become a rich man
then will | marry, but not before, because
want to do the thing properly" Laugh
teri You smile, said the reverend speaker
but / am in earnest.
He had certain amount OF reason Tor
what he said. and that reason is not credit
able to the Young women. Extravaganza IN
dress makes it difficult for men in the mar
ried state to fulfill their obligations, and this
is the reason why young men do not want to
get married, The young women have be-
come so fond of dress that the young men
are frightened. and this is not tor the good
Of society or religion. Let me give young
ladies this advice: Be less anxious about
your appearance; spend less of your earn.
inrs in adorning your persons; and think OF
vonr souls. Remember that the moment
viii force itself upon you when you will be
stretched out lifeless in the coffin. When
that time comes there will be a simple wind
inc sheet. that may be bought for few
cents. to wrap you in. The ornaments that
remain will be ornaments of virtue. which
have accompanied you all through life, and
will remain throughout an endless eternity.
! Though the great vice among women at
the present day is want of economy, still
! there is something of an immodest nature