New-York tribune., 1874-08-25

80 rsrsoual observation, my opposition
20 the dangerous views OF L. NJ L. won'a oe oc'a'o"
more by Indignation than by prudence; TOT haVo "'
fortunately learned through much suffering the hu"a
veakpess-he easy susceptibility to vanity anu pr'o "
christian PASTORS but propose to withdraw 'hc us
cussiou as far outside OF mere personal feehne as
uossibe for me to do L. NJ. L. admits that sue mas
never happened TO go TO any minister ior ~ Sinp"y 80
support and therein lies the secret imasiue' u "
extreme advocacy Of the desrabiity OF 80 oo'"S' c'
she must surely have noticed the too eager olsposon
of the Young the houghtes and the weak OF our scx
to establish not only personal relations WIN ther P"
tors but IN win from them aso tributes to womanv
vanity expressions OF personal preferences Encour
aged In this direction, their private communities
tious with pastors become-as Is too well KNOW"
to all thoughtful observers-less searches aIter
spiritual sympathy and support than opportunities TOT
the aduaon OF the latter for the proftless discus
SION of domestic soows and suerings, which shou'd
be held sacred even from pastors knowledge, or for
the qualification Of those morbid cravings for sym
pathy which reveal an unbalanced nature, ana are
usually the first step toward that famiiiarty Wnon'
t docs not always lead to run yet seldom fails 10 oreeu
contempt There are very few, venture to say among
the sober-mnded Of my who do not perceive IN 'ns
increasing familiarity Of the relations between pastor
and the female members Of his fold source OF danger
TO both which 1t wise to surround with every re-
strction which personal prudence social convenon
atty can suggest. There are yet fewer nope 10
agree with L. NJ. L. In her ready willingness to ex-
tend and famarze the privacy Of these intimate per-
sonal communications She quotes in support OF her
views the conduct uncle OF hers, but greve to
say that IL the question is be decided by personal
experience, the wide columns Of the dear old TRIBUNE
could not contain onehaf the testimony which would
be given in the negative.
That pastoral visits should be discontinued neither
to be hoped desired but that they should DO
made in the absence of husbands and fathers or that
pastors should encouraged to seek the secusion OF
that pastors private study for the expression OF 'he
sympathetic hunger, is SO dangerous temptation OF
| ordinary human frailty-so reckless disregard OF
simple prudence-that with all my heart protesl
against the attempt to promote the practice. know
the strength Of but am not blind to ts weak
nesses the latter spring less from blindness 10 moral
principles than from the perverson OF natural sym
pathy and confidence which all women feel III thclr
pastors renders this deporabe result matter OF easy
| because UNCONSCIOUS progression.
share with L. NJ. L. her respect for. and admiration
Of THE Tribune but should regret with deeper disap
pointment and sorrow than express, to read It's
approval of indulgent views OF pastoral Gus
TOM once beautiful and sacred in purpose, but now
made by the prevailing evil Of the times, dangerous IN
its tendency and damaging, oftentimes destructive In
| effect. The danger is TO he appreheDded not from
"prudes" but from giddy girls and foolish women; the
destruction to be dreaded not because ministers and
women have grown depraved," but because human ma
ture is at best but weak and opportunity is devil
which strongest and most yirtuous OF US all would
| find il wise to avoid. H. L. B.
Nc. Ii2 East SirteeathSt New- York, Aug. TO- 1874