Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-03-23


the walls or mantle hangs the illuminated
motto, "God Bless our Home" Think over
1t, the man of the house has been divorced
from at least one wife and his wife from at
least one husband, and now they have en-
tered into the new relations with this illu-
minated family text. Whether the man or
the woman brought 1t, no one knows--but it
is there, prayer that is sufficiently needed
all must admit, but one whose significance,
under such dubious circumstances, it is not
easy to interpret.
These are but two instances of the thou.
sands which are daily taking place unat-
tended perhaps with snch sumptuous sur
roundngs. Three or four hundred couples,
fastened by vows that were to bind them
It'll DEATH" had themselves legally parted
last year in the city OF Philadelphia. About
as many divorces were granted in the much
smaller city OF San Francisco, the total be-
ing fourteen per cent of the number Of
weddings, whilst in the State of Rhode
Island the ratio of divorce to marriage is
now one to ten. The statistics of ST. Louis,
New York and Chicago-the three leading
divorce markets we are not able 10 give.
Rev. DR.. Dix, of New York, has taken this
subject in hand as well as the Catholic
church, which has consistently and per-
sistently condemned this evil, and we ap-
prove the warnings OF the former and the
condemnation as ever held by the latter.
1t is question not less of social economy
than of general ethics, and something for
the legislator to take hold of quite as much
as that of the church or the clergyman.
1t was only a short time since whilst
standing on the steps of one Of the prominent
hotels in Washington that plain carriage
drove up to the ladies entrance of the house
and in a few moments lady quietly en-
tered and drove away. Inquiring who she
was we found it was the once queen of
fashion and society. Of all the strange
changes that the whirligg of time brings
about, there is none more marvellous than
this. And she left the city behind her with
no friends of her prosperity to bid her fare
well. 1t was our pleasure to have known
her in the very plentitude Of her fame and
power 1t was our pleasure to have been
present at her wedding reception-she was
dressed magnifcently and blazed with pearls
and her walk was like that of the "pompa.
dour." Rich, courted and caressed, every
wish law, her every desire fulfilled, young
and dazzlingly fair. Amid the festivities of
that very evening, we remember to have
observed hanging in the drawing room that
family text, "God Bless our Home" Her
voyage of life began happily, and had she
have caught the spirit OF that petition, TO-
day she would be happy woman. But
she grew weary with the monotony of her
captivating and luxurious home, and found
pleasure only amidst the whirling excite
ment of the opera or ballroom. The day
we saw her she was leaving the cruel city
bearing her maiden name by reason of
divorce, which had been obtained the day
previous, after but little or no trouble, and
there are thousands of just such cases.
The truth is, the ease with which mar
riage knots can be united is disgrace to
our civilization. The institution of mar.
rage Is sacred one. Christ once halowed
1t with His presence and God adds to it the
choicest fruits Of His benefccnce 1t is that
period in life where woman stoops to gather
hopes to blossom, and feels that she has
found an anchorage in mighty affection.
1t is that period when man becomes hus.
band and an exemplar in society. 1t is that
period when for the first time we hang over
the mantle, not as an empty ornament, those
words Of touching beauty, "God Bless our
Home"-catching the force of their meaning
and repeating them over morning and night
as we journey through life until we not only
realize but deeply appreciate that feeling
OF affection as described by Rousseau when
he observes, Were in desert, would
find out wherewith in it to call forth my af.
iections. II could do no better, would
iasten them upon some sweet myrtle, or some
melancholy cypress would love it for its
shade and greet 1t kindly for its protection.
would write my name upon it, and pro.
neunce 1t the sweetest tree in the desert
II its leaves withered, would teach myself
to mourn, and If it rejoiced, would rejsice
with it,"
II is easy enough in the intoxcation OF
broken joys, amid the glare of vanity and
worldly dissipation to array ourselves against
the Divine and moral laws, but the day and
tho hour will come when they will appear
clothed in dazzling robes of light and the
splendor of their countenance will strike
with terror and humiliation the last one OF
her wretched and presu mptuous enemies