The sun., 1899-05-01
UNHoLINEss or DIpoRCE.



The Rev DR.. Endicott Peabody. head master
OF the Groton School. Just opposite New Lon
don. Conn. preached in st. Georges Church
yesterday morning. after DR.. Rainsford had
introduced him to the congregation. The text
was from John. xvii. 81:
Il pray for them: pray not for the world.
but for them which Thou hast given Me: for
they are Thine"
The discourse was very plain talk on the
sacredness OF marriage VOWS and the respon-
sbilities Of parents to children.
Not long ago." he said, the country was
disturbed by an agitation which threatened to
produce crisis In our national life certain
set OF men arose to proclaim theory OF finance
which the rest Of US thought to be not only un-
sound. not only to hazard the national credit
but to put in jeopardy national honor and
strike at the foundation. national honesty and
put premium on personal dishonesty. 1t was
serious hour for the nation. but there were
loyal men and strong men and men Of brains
on the right side and the crisis passed.
To-day another crisis threatens. The sta
bility. aye. the very life OF the nation is in
danger The danger Is greater. because the
attack Is not made against the nation directly.
but upon individual citizens by those citizens
themselves. The citizens OF this country nre
committing moral suicide. with divorce as the
vorce In this country Is a danger to the national
life far greater than could he threatened bv
any system OF dishonest finance. because the
moral turpitude OF those who seek divorce is
usually far greater than that OF financial theor-
lists ever could be. Those who fly to the di-
vorce courts praying for dissolution of the
marriage relation strike a death blow to THE
family and he who would destroy the family
would destroy the nation.
Rome fell and chaos reigned where tho en-
pire had stood. because Roman morals were at
ebb tide. The sacredness of marriage was for
gotten. divorce disintegrated families and
confines were the world Disappeared forever
The condition Of the Roman Empire at its fall
was hardly worse in this respect than the con-
dition Of the United States to-day. It is easier
other country Of the civilized world. and the
fashion FASH appears to be. even among those whose
emulation. to make full use Of the license
Back Of this condition lies the cause OF it.
1t has been my lot to have intimate association
with the young, to watch the development of
their moral and mental lives and to direct that
me that parents are more and more entertain
ing false nntions as to what Is best for their
Of popularity by his son in college with such
keen pleasure that the boy notices it and
strives 9 that Thich i is
mother is too apt to care nothing for anything
else, so long as her daughter Is Il success
the son will sacrifice his very soul to get into n
fashionable club and the daughter, will be
should never sacrifice ior the sake OF a brilliant
marriage. ThuSs :, ,ood NV ,.,ond. ,o- , rooodou
courage and a sturdier notion of what is best
for the young than parents and guardians now
possess. 1t is not enough that our sons should
sional lie, It is not enough that our daugh-
ters SHOULD be great enough social successes
one is too unsatisfactory: the other is too
likely to be Of short duration.
- 1t has become the fashion to scout the idea
OF personal future punishment for acts for
which we are responsible in this life. and
therefore to act solely ur0n our, notions Of
point Of view; We need more sons in the min
lstry as teachers OF the old fashioned gospel.
instead Of % poteans meeI mors sons to
be honest men. rather than popular men. And.
rs for our dang we need fewer soeia
the simple faith in God in their hearts.
women who recognize Joy and responsible
ity in maternity. and who are thankful to God
account TO Him Of the other: women who will
meaning of the love honor nor and nd Obedience nee.
pledged pie. at the marriage altar; women who
WIN nes st Sq
whatsoever ia lovely. whatsoever is Of good re
pert women ,n, who will say with TepHnys"ns
her warrior dead and her maidens said She
must weep or she will die then
" Rose nurse of ninety years.
Set his child upon her knee
Like summer tempest came her tears
Sweet. my child, live for thee
Christ. in the shadow OF the cross. prayed
not for power. not for personal trium ph but
for them whom the Father had given to Him.
for they were the Fathers. In the shadow OF
the danger which threatens the home and the
nation. let the American mother not live for
the worldly success Of her offspring. which is
Gods. but let her say. and realize the weight of
her words. Sweet. my child. live for thee"