St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-07-09
THE INFLUENCE OF C1UBs

This is emphatically an age of clubs.
We have them for all urposeS-social,
literary, political. artistic, commercial,
athletic and musical. among the men,
and as for women's clubs, who can num-
Der them? There are two sides to this
club matter as to most questions that
affect humanity. They have friends
who defend them, as we'll as enemies
who deride; but to conservative on
locker there is one phase that has a
serious aspect, and that is their infiu-
ence on home life. The tendency of the
club seems to be to increase the dstinc-
ton that is made between women and
men, to divide their interests in meas
ure, one from the other. This, it is
readily to be seen, can have only dele
FERROUS influence OH the home. We are
such creatures CT habit that we inSen-
sibly shape our feelings and desires to
fit our constant environments. If to the
making of an ideal home the united
efforts of man and woman are neces-
Sary. any influence that has tendency
TO draw these two apart is to be de-
plored. We can see this differentiating
in the constantly increasing social func-
tions to which either men or women are
exclusively hidden. The wisest among
| our social leaders see this evil and de-
plore 1t, but seem poweress to stem the
tide. 1t is not confined to the cities, but
the suburban and country towns are
struggling under the same disaster. In
one town, all old college center where
| only few years ago the most delight
| full society could be found. this modern
| tendency has worked a most lamentable
change. Its influence is apparent
even in the personal appearance
of both men and women. Natives o
that charming town who have been away
a few years are surprised at these
| changes to he observed Oh their short
visits there; but when some scores of
social functions are attended at which
no men are expected, if the visitor be a
woman, OF no woman, if a man, the cause
is not hard to find. That careful regard
for personal appearance, which the con-
slant meeting with strangers who Judge
a man OH first acquaintance by his looks
| keeps alive and active in city men, is
! not Sc constantly cultivated in a COM
munity where every one knows every
one else, and knows also their family
and social and business positions. The
| frequent association of the sexes has a
| refining influence on both as to man
ners. as we'll as.moraIs. So any influ-
ence that deprives society of this bene-
fit is a dangerous one.
On the other hand, it is claimed that
the existence of clubs renders social
life easier to housekeepers. If the busy
husband or father has friend or &C.
quaintance whom he wishes to honor by
all invitation to dinner, he can take
him to the club, and SO spare the home
keeper the care of his entertainment
IL the object OF home living were per-
sonal comfort alone, there would be
nothing more to say; but so long as the
home is the school in which the children
learn all those lessons of courtesy and
kindly doing that sweeten and beautify
life, the Importance of the Bible injune.
ton, BE not forgetful to entertain
strangers" is better understood, as well
as the later observation, "For in so do.
ing some have entertained angels IN
awares." Few GLOBE readers but can
recall some instance of intellectual en-.
1oyment bestowed by the presence OF
some one whose name tradition
saves" met and honored at the family
| board. The impressions made On child.