The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-25
The Sun as a Confessional.

In his now periodical, the Reriep of Re
riers, Mr.. w. I. STEAD, lately the editor of
the Phi Mall Gazette, proposes to establish
a sort Of confessional, which he thus de-
scribcs in his prospectus:
Are there any among the readers OF this review who
feel tho craving for counsel for sympathy and for the
consolation OF pouring out their souls Rriet' II may
ask them to communicate with mo- The names Of
my correspondents will IL they so desire It remain only
known to mo Tut their cases, as they submit them
will be placed before such competent advisers as
ablc to gather around mo from among tho best men
and women in the English speaking world"
: For many years The Sun has been such q
confessional for thousands OF its readers,
and the mutitudes coming to us for advice
and consolation are steadily increasing
They were not invited to repose confid ance
In the wisdom and sympathy of The Sun
by any formal proposition like that made
by Mr.. STEAD. They have come OF their
own motion, and because of the esteem in
which they hold this journal, and their faith
that here they would receive due considera-
ton and get honest and sincere advice &C.
cording to their needs.
Very many Of these condolences relate to
the delicate subject OF love and marriage,
and are timid expositions OF the state Of
hearts whose wounds are sedulously hidden
from all observation except our own. Gentle
maidens make confession to us of the bud
ding OF a love which they scarcely dare ac-
knowledge to themselves, and which those
upon whom it is bestowed are too blind to
see. Bashful and self-dlstrustful young men
appeal to us to stimulate their courage and
inspire them with confidence to lay bare
has rts haf hn aiJ
who have brought them under subsection.
Widows in whom the tender sentiment has
sprung up anew, ask whether they shall tear
1t out by the roots or cherish and cultivate
1t as precious growth. Widowers consult
us as to the wisdom and proprlety of a
further venture into matrimony. Parents
beg for advice as to the treatment OF children
whose choice Of mates seems to them to
promise unhappness; and children who
rebel against such restraint send In their
plants. entreating us TO assist them in
the battle Of romantic love against what
they look upon as cold prudence only.
there is no form. there is no phase which
the romance OF life assumes that is not
brought TO our attention. Even vice comes
10 us with its confession OF the sorrow
That Is Its logical and inevitable result We
hear, too, the cries of wives oppressed and
cruelty treated, OF women betrayed into
bigamous marriages, Of households rent by
angry dissension, OF matrimony perverted
from blessing into curse, and of unfortu-
nate husbands who have been entrapped into
marriage with artful and designing women.
1t is all told. The whole story may be read
in this wide and great correspondence, SO
numerous that the names OF the authors can
not remain In the memory, and all OF them
strangers who put unquestioning and I'M
hesitatinR confidence In the sincerity and
conscientiousness of The SUM- Many happy
marriages, as those who have entered into
them have informed us, have been brought
about by It's advice, and peace has been re-
stored to many discordant homes.
We also receive many letters expressive OF
religious doubt and confusion, so prevalent
at this time, and making inquiries as to the
drift and tendency of the theological discus
sion so active In our day. They come from
clergymen and laymen both. and from
women as well as men, and are Of great
seriousness and sincerity. Correspondents