St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-10-12
The Brothers. Part.

Brothers should be their sisters
guardians. Every young man knows
what true gallantry is, and what it re-
quires of him. He is to honor every
lady, whether she is rich or poor, and
show her every respect. He is ready
to be to every woman a true knight,
ready to defend her from every insult.
to risk his own life in her behalf.
Now, to whom ought every young
man to show the highest, truest gal
lantry TO whom, if not to his own
sisters ? Have they not the first claim
on his affection ? If he is not a true
gentleman to his own sisters, can he
be at heart true gentleman to any
other woman Can young man he
manly and treat his own sisters with
less respect and honor than he shows
to other young ladies ? He must con-
slider himself their true knight, whose
Office it is to throw around them every
needed shelter, to serve them, and to
promote their highest good in every
way.
OF course, there is no young man
with ono spark of the honor of true
manliness in his breast, who will not
| instinctivcly defend his sister if she is
insulted in the street. He will instant
| ly put himself between her and the
danger. Neither is there any brother
worthy of the name who will not de
fend the honor of his sister if vile
tongues asperse it. But more than
this is required of loyal brother. He
should make himself a wall about his
sister to shield her from every evil and
unhOly influence.
Every young man knows other young
men he knows their character, their
habits, their good and evil qualities.
He knows those who indulge in strong
drink, those who are goddess and pro-
| fame, those whose lives are stained
with the filth of debauchery. Can he
be true brother and permit such a
young man to be the companion of his
pure and gentle sister Can he allow
her, in the innocence of her heart, to
accept the attentions of such young
man, to lean upon his arm, to look up
into his face with trust Can he see a
friendship forming, Strengthening be-
tween his sister and such young man,
and remain silent, uttering in her ears
no voice of warning or protest, and yet
be loyal, faithful brother to her
This is place for plain, strong, and
earnest words. Surely, young men dc
not think of this matter seriously, OF
they would require no argument tC
convince them of their duty. Put the
case in the strongest possible form
and bring it close to home. You have
Il sister as pure as a lily. She has
grown up beside you in the shelter OF
the home. Her eyes never looked up
on anything vile. Her ears have never
heard an impure word. You love hel
as You love your own life. A young
man seeks to win her regard and con
fidence. He stands well in society
has good manners, is attractive, intelli-
gent. But you know that his secret
life is unchaste, that he is the victim %
habits which will in the end bring ruin
and dishOnOr. Your sister know,
nothing of his character. Can yOu
permit him to become her companion
Are you not bound to tell her that h,
is not worthy of her Can you dc
otherwise and be a faithful brother
Besides this standing between hi
sister and danger, every brother SHOULD
also show her in his own life the idea
of the truest, purest, most honorable
manhood. If it be true that the bes
shield a sister can make for her broth
er is to show him in herself the lOfties
example of wOmanhoOd, it is true ais
that the truest defence a brother cal
make for his sister is a noble manhoO,
in his own person. If he is going t,
, shield his sister from the impure, h
must not himself be impure. He mus
show her in himself high ideal q
manhood, that her soul shall uncon
sciOusly and instinctively shrink iron
everything that is vulgar, rude, or evil
Let no brother think that he can be
shelter from evil to his sister, if his ow
life be not unsullied and true.