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

This is emphatically an age of clubs.
We have them for all purposes-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 influ-
ence OH home life. The tendency of the
club seems to be to increase the distinc-
ton that is made between women and
men, TO divide their interests in a meas
ure, one from the other. This, it is
readily to be seen, can have only dele
ferrous influence on 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 Il man and a woman are neces-
Sary. any influence that has tendency
to draw these two apart is to be de-
plored. We can see this differentiating
tons to which either men or women are
exclusively hidden. The wlsest among
our social leaders see this evil and de-
plore 1t, but seem powerless 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, an 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 10th men and women. Natives o
that charming town who have been away
few years are surprised at these
changes to be observed on 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 man, the cause
is not hard TO find. That careful regard
for personal appearance, which the con-
staut meeting with strangers who Judge
a man OH first acquaintance by his looks
keeps alive and active in city men, is
not SO 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 well as,morals. So any infiu-
! 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 a friend or ac-
quaintance whom he wishes to honor by
all invitation to dinner, he can take
him to the clue, and so spare the home
keeper the care of his entertainment.
If 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 injunc-
| 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 un-
awares." Few GLOBE readers but can
recall some instance of intellectual en-
| joyment bestowed by the presence of
some one whose name tradition
saves" met and honored at the family
board. The impressions made on child