The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-09-10
SUNDAY READING.
A Sermon OF Sound Sense 90 be Read by Mar
ried People, and Especially by Those Con-
templating Nlatrinosy.

Sermon OF Sound Sense 90 be Read by Mar
ricd People, and Especially by Those Con-
tempIating Nlatrimosy.
The following from the New York Jour
nal of Commerce should be carefully read
by all. but more especially married folks
and those contemplating married life:
We have selected the word "display"
adyisedly, because its meaning have been
so much perverted. II is now associated
In many minds with parade and ostenta-
fious show instead OF that unfolding man.
Hesitation which was its original signifi-
canoe. A medical journal gravely caution
ed parents against allowing their children
10 be kissed, lest they might thereby re-
ceiye "the germs" OF some dreadful mala-
DIV. The paragraph went the rounds OF the
papers, was discussed in home circles. and
not few young lads and lassies, too old
for their years, took advantage OF the sug-
gestion TO put on the scrupulous airs III
reference to all displays OF affection usually
ascribed to prudish persons considerably
advanced i'm life who have been soured by
disappointment. Here and there pastor
of n church flock has been brought up sud-
denly before conference OF synod or pres
bytery, or some other proper iudicatory.
for what was believed to be too tender or
partial or depraved manifestation OF his
affection for some fair member of his fold.
This has been set out with startling head
lines in the sensational press until timid
parsons and rectors have been afraid to adj
dress courteous salutation TO any OF the
sisterhood lest the act might be msinter-
preted.
Beyond this. the fancy-writcrs and comic
81 -hn anlxx On ho oil 10
spoils. finding disposition on the part of
the general public to laugh a little at the
romance of Young love, and its frequent
forgetfulness OF the prophecies Of time and
place in the complete surrender OF its be-
ING to the new possession, have gone be-
yond the exhibition. which was fair mark
for a little good-natured ridicule, and have
directed the whole weight Of their sarcasm
against all demonstrations OF n tender and
loving regard between dear friends, how
ever related or bound TO each other in sa-
cred ties.
We may add perhaps another influence
operating in the same direction. 1t is said
that the era of chivalry is passed, and that
this i a prosaic age, dealing with matters
of fact, rather than the finer sentiments.
Marriage is q civil contract, and not a
sacrament Parents are progenitors and
lawful guardians OF their offspring, to be
held responsible for their education and
support, rather than fathers and mothers
whose very being is bound up in the well
fare Of their children. And the boy and
girl are restless and impatient wards under
present tutelage, as matter OF custom and
legal necessity, instead OF reverent and
dutiful son and daughter, taught to vene-
rate the authors Of their being as standing
TO them in the place OF the Deity.
All OF these agencies have interfered
with many OF the sweet courtesies OF social
and domestic life. The boy at an carly age
is too proud to be cited to his mothers
apron string" He does not grow more
manly by this early assumption Of indie
pendcncc. and he misses not only in his
rough and rugged manner, but in the inner
eraces OF the heart, the softening effect of
the sweet caresses he ought to enjoy for
wears to come at his mothers knee. The
girl all too soon begins her contest with the
outer world when she ought to be in her
mothers lap, making her the confidant of all
the questionings that spring from the first
attempts TO solve the problem of life, and
accepting with sweet submission the oft
unspoken answers that are impressed on
cheek and lip. And to both the children
the father should be more than the mere
head Of the household, the representative
of authority, the furnisher Of supplies.
They should delight to frolc in his arms,
to cling 10 his departing feet with petitions
for another and vet another farewell kiss,
and 10 greet his return with aGectionatt
eagerness to renew the loving intercourse
The welded pair ought never to forget
that they are lovers, or be afraid OF
ashamed to manifest it before all the world
To the husband, absorbed i'm the cares OF
business, and greeted through the day by 4
throng Of friends and acquaintance, the
interchange Of sweet and loving ministries
may be less essential, hut the wife, shut uD
a great part Of the time to home duties,
has an ever present craving for love and
sympathy. There are good husbands who
are afraid TO manifest any such warm If
fection lest they compromise their dignity.
A member OF the Society Of Friends had
lived with his consort in peaceful welded
intercourse for more than half century
She had received the summons fol
the other world and her husband stood
by her bedside rs she was departing
Moved in that solemn hour TO open TO bel
the deep recesses OF his heart, he bent hi
lips 20 her brow and tenderly said
d" Rachel, thou hast been good wife d
me, and have loved thee dearly all thes,
years. "Oh, Simeon" she answered, will
a fresh radiance on her face, al wish thou
hadst said il long ago!" And she passed
away with that newborn smile upOn heI
lips. Her heart had been hungry for fit,
years for the kiss and the words OF loyinc
tenderness that came so late. Let no mar
say that he and his wife arc Just as much Ia
each other although they exchange no fond
caresses. lie needs them more than he
knows perhaps, and to her they may be the
Ionged-ior nourishment OF shrunken,
pining heart.
Outside OF the home circle. among
friends, whether kindred or not. there
ought to be freer exchange OF loving
courtesies. The cold, cynical world NAV
laugh II 1t will, but true, loving hearts can
ahord 70 let them sheer. Our present life
asa Journey full Of partings; sweet friend
ships are brief interviews at the longest
and when the dear one has gone from orr
sight the words OF love and tenderness we
nave spoken, as memory recalls them
10 us, will seem none too MANY or
100 feryent Harsh or cruel speech.
lost opportunities OF saying or doing q
Kind word or deed 10 one we passed ON The
pilgrim path-how often these fill us with
vain regrets; but no penitent tear, as we
review LIES history, has ever sought 10
DIot from The record, Us IL stands, an act of
thoughtful kindness for one tender, loving
ministry toward any OF those who have
gone on before us. Each day is adding a |
new page which noua NAV aito.. "a,