Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-16

would the church with the largest amount of true religion-and who would decide this delicate pont-dominate the focks inclined to worldly y-mindedness? There would be fewer church entertain ments, to be sure, and this fact at once recommends the ecclesiastical syndicate to long-suffering public and longer-suf- feriug congregations. Yet, after all the complications that would naturally arise would more than equal the draWbackS of the present stasus The loyal Birming- ham women, who have been so tirsless in their efforts to build the various churches of our city, would certainly like to have this matter investigated. Doubtless 1T there is to be no very great sacrifice of principle. they will be pleased to have the syndicate organized at once. 1t would mean fewer denomina tions, cer- tainly, but it would also mean larger con- gregations. more magnificent temples and far less labor.
 = But would 1t bring about more genuine religion, more heartfelt worship of our Creator? It is well-recognized fact that the constant enjoyment of the luxu- ries of life brings about tendency to- wards indifference and carelessness of our higher spiritual obligations. This applies with equal force to mental as well as spiritual matters. The noblest efforts of genius have generally come from the stimulations of poverty and the struggle of lofty soul and intellect to rise above the limitat tonS Of narrow sphere. This was notably the case with Dante and other writers whose works are immortal. Comfort and luxury in duce a self-indulgence and self-satisfac- tion that is as fatal to genius as the luminous mists of an African jungle are to human life. So. perhaps. after ail the old way is best, separate churches. small doctrinal differences, stirring, ac- tive congregations and the continuous church entertainments, which are Ien- nysonian in their proclivities. None or us are prepared to be absorbed by the others and while the ecclesiastical sym dicate has many pleasing features to rec ommend it to the humanitarian, 1t also has certain peculiarities which can never be adjusted to the varying denomina- tional creeds of Christendom. we must still suffer and be strong!
 The following interesting letters have been received, each one differing some what upon the resolution offered in my columns last Sunday:
 February 13.
 My Dear Madam: In fear that the doubtful miss has read the grum epistle of an unwilling husband" and now sings goodbye, sweetheart" and in sympathy with the latter, hasten to in- troduce willing husband. Yes, one past middle age, who. during the tour
  and now Is always ready and willing to escort his wife wherever she pleases to go. I am something of home body myself, and never neglect my children or household duties for outside pleasures I can attend to them better and more cheerfully after glimpses of society, fresh air and sunshine. My husband Is one of the few willing ones, who wants to keep his wife young both in LOOKS ana feelings, and realizes the fact that noth- ing is so detrimental to both as the con stant drudgery of home and mother nIe Tn all things variety Is the spice of life So. dear, doubting one, take hearts All husbands are not as bad as they seem, and some are only too willing, especially the one three times married. Truly yours,
 Birmingham, Feb 13.
 "The tears of youth are bitter. The question proposed in your columns TOT discussion recalls to me tears that sned many years ago on discovering that my young husband, who was continually meeting new faces in business, was weary at night of crowds and desired nothing better than to smoke and read and think by his own fireside. ITS true. he desired me to take my pleasures in my own way; but, inexperienced though I was, I saw in such course the spectre of alienation Shedding tears
 
 bounding pulse of youth, I submitted to the inevitable. My widest dissipation became the afternoon 'coffees, fashiona- ble in that day. Habit is iron. Home became more and more to me and at length all in all A wider experience in life has shown me I took the best course possible. The willing had better yield to the unwilling for between two evils choose the least. CONTENT" "Eufaula Ala, Feb. 13. My Dear Madam: hope you will un- derstand my entering this discussion though remote from your town, for all willing and unwilling husbands and wives are not confined to Birmingham, I assure you. I believe they grow every where Certainly down in the Third division there~are a few. But I am willing husband of a very willing wife and we both enjoy going out to parties and receptions whenever invited. I have made it a rule to do this ever since we were married. for I never thought that woman should be isola ted from her species because she did the natural thing of falling in love and getting married. am sure my wife loves me. I am only comfortably situated so there was no reason for her marrying me but affec- tion. and I have always thought it the greatest imposition, the mere dominance of brute force, when man insisted upon burying his wife alive beneath home cares and duties. with not a single glimpse of life except through his eyes It takes a very vain man to imagine that his wife finds existence even endurable under such circumstances. We, my wife and I. go out together, enjoy other peo- pie and return to our own fireside more content than ever. We are both very willing and I think very sensible Sin cerely, etc, -" 
 Feb 15. My Dear Madame: am willing, and so is my dear husband; so we find our selves very congenial companions, as well as sweethearts. We are regular chums, | and go out constantly together I do not always buy new dress when I wish | it, but that does not matter. My clothes are handsome and becoming enough, and whenever am on the eve of asking for a new gown my husband sends me such royal punches of roses or carnations to wear that my heart fails me. and simply wear my old dress, and set all the other married women wild with envy when tell them how received my flowers There are not many husbands who send flowers to their own wives, you know. sometimes think shall beg Will-that's r,,u ht,o nd fo h11 cn