The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-05-01
SOCIAL EEILs.
Extracts from Sermon by Rev. ID. n
Paris. At SOmerViIle.

my young friends address yOu these words
that I may help you to help one another to
this high standard Serious persons, young
and old, Of both sexes, have seen with pain
the growth of certain habits i'm the assOcia-
ten with each other of young men and wo-
men, which reveal a lowering Of that high
respect for woman which the very honor of
the sex and with it the safety and purity Of
society demands to be kept uneorrupted.
What I shall speak of now may seem a
small matter, but l use it as an illustra-
ton, and I believe YOU will see it to be a
most important indication. When you see
young man promenading the streets or the
hall of dwelling in company with young
woman, putting the smoke of cigar into
her face while endeavoriug to entertain her,
and when is added to this the fact that this
is fast becoming the rule instead of the ex-
ception, is it not an evidence of a decay in
those sentiments Of high respect for wo-
mans presence which once obtained every
where, and which it is 50 necessary to MAIN
tain at every sacrifice? / have nothing to
say against smoking in the abstract. In
this let every man be law unto himself.
l only speak of this as one indication of an
evil in society which has MANY illustrations
today, Again, there is a tendency on the
part of woman to adopt in society many of
the expressions and manners of the oppo-
site sex-a certain looseness of speech and
levity of manner which appears badly
aunatorfB e n,
of taste in pure, refined woman. There is
= tendency to certsin familiarity, and
letting down Of that womanly refinement
which it is the peculiar glory of woman 20
preserve, and in which is found the source
of her most enobling influence upon the
young men themselves. Again, are not lib
critics of speech and of action now permit
ted by the young women from the young
men, which few years ago would not for a
moment have been tolerated. Is not this
an indication of an evil tendency which
should at once be checked? 1t is a tide
which must be met and stemmed by the
wise and good and true of both sexes.
Again, let me remind you of an evil and
an injustice which should at once and tor
ever be eradicated, and which it is in the
power of every true woman to correct. Let
us remember that young women have
rights. What woull young m n think of
a young lady if on entering her parlor, or
taking her arm, he should be greeted with
the poisonous odor of liquor upon he
breath, or should see her daily or even oc-
casionally entering saloon to regale her
self with draught which men think so
necessary to their health. Would not ev-
cry true man turn from her in disgust?
WsNld he be found in her company again?
No, The very thought of it aWakens the
deepest protest of his soul. Then, have not
women the right to protect themselves, and
can a generous minded man ask of a wo-
man what he is unwilling to accord to her?
But young women have the power OF self
protection and should exercise it. When
then a young woman takes your arm, or
rather when you hang upon hers, may God
deliver as, but that is the style now, e
your breath he clean. But here is another
evil which is an indication in the same di-
Uection, No woman should allow a man to
take her arm in the style that now prey ails
and which you all know. But when he
dares to do so should turn upon him with
all the protest of her wOmanly Indignation
and disgust and teach him as only true
woman can do to know and keep his place.
| I know these things are often done by the
purest and best thoughtlessly. But the
thoughtlessness in these things is an indica-
| ton of an evil tendency whose results will
in thousand instances work only evil. I
have nothing to say against eur yourG
men. l believe in their honor. love and
respect them as they very well know, but
young men you are the guardians of the
honor aud safety of the young women Of the
community. With Knightly reverence, and
under the guidance OF high moral primci-
pie, you should avoid, most scrupulously,
every act, word and thought which would
tend in the least to break down those sa-
cred barriers which are the protection Of
those whom you would not hesitate to de-
fend in their reputation with your own
honor and life.
But at last, the innate sense of propriety
in woman herself is, under God, her sures:
Safeguard. With this nice and right dis.
csrnment uniniured, which is at once the
popularity and glory of wOman-with a
tender and pure cOn+cience-with a high
sense of self-resl eft, cherished as better
than life, she is always and everywhere
safe. One glance from pure woman,
eye Is enough to sind the most daring in.
truder upon her mOdesty in shame from
her presence. Let her use her power It'll
with herself and will there abide until ne
own han destroys it. This power is God
given to woman and for its safe keeping sh,
is responsible. Every wrong in thought o
slightest act done or permitted, which weak
ems it, is a sin against the highest wisdom
and against God, and is deep and IRENE.
diable wrong to herself and to society
Then remember your duty to yourselves.
n man, no matter what may be his position
in society. gives not to You, in all his con
duct, evidence of his high and pure respec
not only for you but deeper than this, fo
your sex and for himself-if he dares to tax
liberties with you, or in your knowledg
with any other woman, which he would a
low no man to take with his own sister, an
= if, when rebuked he learns not the lesso
s lac ought before to have known, then reje'
t his company and no mora walk with hin
than with the vileat serpent that crawls ii
earth. Nothing can atone for any intim;
= cy with such a man.
But [ must be permitted to speak