, 1874-09-13

We are afraid it will havc to be abandoned d.
There i'd reaction setting in against the saluta-
ton which tho bride has always considered her
due ut the hands, or rather mouth, OF the parson
who united her in wcdIock. And tha reaction is
not likely to contlne itself to the hynenea nltar.
Passing events are casting their shadows on
every hand. As precautionary measure the
religious Journals advocate the total abolition OF
the s4ministcrial kiss, and admonish the parson
to keep the door Of his lips with the utmost
austerity under every form OF this insidious
temptation.
The sisters in the churches are taking part in
the controversy, rs it is certainly their right to
do, since they are tho party OF the first part
They express themselves pro or con. according
to circumstances over which aome OF them, prob
ably, have no control. At any rate, We will not
be prepared to sit in Judgment On their attitude
until we see for ourselves why they can, or can
not, lend their countcnance to this movement.
A ''DeAcon's wife 3" has set, rot only her own
face, but the facca Of her two daughters
against their pastor. They s'all kissed
1lu OuEGt Uut A4Ef WILL ACFtaA AO ~ 06AAAAt
although upon that occasion 81 it did him good
like medicine" It was purely remedial ex-
pertinent The pa1son was sick, and the klaa,
although not prescribed. By the phyaiclan, was
administered by the nurse. In fact, it WIS 8 kind
Of tripartite raid. First Of all the mother took
his thin face between her palms," and did it.
''Tnen the elder Of the girls timidly approached,
mud teacfully laid her tribute upon Ills white face,
and then the rosy, bright-eyed 18-year-old broke
the solemn spell, and gavo him ringing, frolic-
some ssluto." The incident would have been
forgotten but for an attempt to repeat it. Time
passed. tho remedy prevailed, the parson'recov-
cred, and called again At '' the Deacon's." Here
lot contemporaneous history sreak for herself
he came to the 18-year-old, he actually
put up Lis mouth for ldss!! Her blue eyes
CLEANED like steel (not steaD as she said No.
sir you arc not suck now!" The parAon fell
back in bad order. Tie attempt, and not the
deed confounded him. The mother 'fclt
proud OF the lass Of her own raising." She is
"as ready to guard the dear consecrated servant
Of God as hen is to watch over her one dear
little downy ball Of chicken, and for that rea-
son "it is her business to keep everything out
Of her PASTORS way that be could possibly stum-
bic over"
This, ne confess with the greatest reluctance,
is the only secure position to take in this contro
versy We ret1eat to it with all The sense OF
fortitude which the ''downy ball OF chicken
must feel when it fees TO toe ahel:ering pres
ence OF the maternal hen. It is fair,
il it is hard. for seh-denial is the strong
point OF the clergy, il they only knew
it, nnd they should not hesitate in matter SO
fraught with Jeopardy to society and peril to the
church. The self protection OF two entire sexes
is ut stake Nothing abort Of total abstinence
from this intoxicating draught can be de-
pended upon for saving either the parson-
age OF the deaconage from the ragged edge"
Prevention ia better than cure, and what cannot
be endured must ba cured. Rather than shat
,hs "it0lici11b EA1use ihauM asgehasats Into