The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-06-06
Home as n Social Factor.

freside to friends and neighbors.
The feverish activity Of modern
life has laid vandal hands upon
many an ancient custom and dear
est of its victims is the daily as
sembly of the family.
AS often as evening came, the
household left it's widely diverging
interests and gathered to enjoy
such social life as only family cir
cles know There was lively con-
versation, full of the events of the
day, the gossip of the neighbour
hood, the plans of tomorrow.
There was occasional bits Of repair
tee and bursts Of confidence.
There was new music to be prac-
ticed and old songs to be sung
once more. There were chess
problems to be mastered and
tournaments to be waged Of whist
and cribbage or the homelier games
of dominoes or checkers. Above
all, there was reading. Those
fascinating romances! That thrill
ing history! Surely, books are duller
than of old. What Libraries con-
tain such charmed pages as those
heard in childhood in fathers
quaint, brusque voice, or mothers
soft, low tones?
Primitive enjoyment it might
have been. But it was enjoyment
pure, simple, hearty. It left a
sweet satisfaction behind unlike
the weary safety the worlds pleas
ures give. When children, older
grown, turn with disgust and with
heart burning from the brazen
show and malicious strife Of outer
society, they live over with relief
those quiet days when they enjoy
ed trifes with youthful abandon,
secure from the pangs Of ambition
or taunts Of untender criticism.
1t was magic enjoyment. Like
the fairy coin, it multiplied in the
using till it gained fortune of
contentment and happiness stored
in the treasurehouse of the mind.
But neither the passing sunset
of gaiety nor the lingering after
glow Of happiness constitute the
principal blessing Of home society,
The family unity it fosters is first
and greatest of it's advantages. In
these wretched days of domestic
trouble, when houses are divided
against themselves, and scandal of
inner dissension is scattered a.
broad, how greatly to be desired
seems the proud loyalty of family
unity. In families where home
society is cultivated, natural ties
are strengthened by the constant
association, the habitual inter-
change of experience and the COM
munity of Interests. Sympathy, con-
geniality and goodfellowship arise
from having much in common.
There are other advantages
quite as real. Home society gives
young people plenty of amuse-
ment under the eyes of their pa
rents, yet without suspicion of
espionage. The form of amuse
ment is also more safe than gener-
al outside amusements. While it
may be varied enough to pleasur-
ably absorb their energies. it lacks
the dangerous element Of excite
ment. The matter of associates
is more easily controlled where
there is home society. There is
less need of outside companion
ship and the friends who are
chosen are apt to be suitable, for
only such can stand the crucial
test of being introduced to the
family circle.
Such home life has an educa-
tional tendency. The reading, the
music, the discussions, the clash
Of wits, the exercise of the facul-
ties in games Of skill, all tend to
develop artistic taste and reason
ing ability and impart general
knowledge and culture. The little
courtesies demanded in the we'll
regulated home are the best les
sons IN the manners of polite
society and the best training in
uselfshness.
Fin de steele young people are,
however, too busy to indulge in
home society. Between church
and school and general society,
their evenings are fully occupied.
The church alone demands no
little attention with it's young
peoples meetings, choir rehearsal,
receptions and entertainments.
The schools have their literary,
musical and dramatic societies and