The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-16
PRESERVE THE HOME.
Rev. Charles II. strOns's Sermon on
the Fifth Commandment.

The topic of Rev. Charles H. strong's
sermon at St. Johns Church last night
was the fifth commandment, Honor thy
father and Thy mother" Rev. Mr. Strong
dwelt with much force upon the relation
Of the family to society and civilization.
F'iiial love, he said is among the most
sacred of religious duties. There Is no
doubt, he said, that family life lies at the
foundation Of all government.
Mir. Strong spoke of The old patriarchal
type Of family which prevailed at the time
the commandment was given and previ-
Dusty thereto among the ancestors of The
Hebrews. II was this type of family which
prevailed generally among the peoples Of
that period, developing into tribes and
afterwards into nations.
Mr.. Strong spoke of The great degenera-
ton which had taken place in the pagan
clVHization at the time of Christ So
clety was honeycombed with corruption
ne SAID and family life had almost ceased
10 exist Woman was degraded. The
christian religion entered upon this scene
OF degradation to purify and renew. Christ
sancufed the marriage tie, elevated wo-
man from her low estate and made her the
center OF the family life.
The family is the first of our social in
-N'NN-eOAAe Gelu MI. GiEOIGt anu AIG pres
erVation Of the family is of the utmost
Importance to our social life Discussing
this idea, Mr.. Strong said that many stu
dents of social questions were of The opin-
ION tnat social conditions of modern civil
izatlon do not differ greatly from those
which preceded the fall of the ancient
Roman civilization. VIII our civilization
exist he exclaimed. Is there more hope
for New York to-day than there was for
tended, was not sufficient to preserve so
ciety The education of the mind is of
Importance, but this does not control the
character. One of the results of the high
er education of the day, he said, is the
agitation Of the question of woman suf-
trage, While none were more favorable
to higher education than himself he con-
sldered this agitation a great mistake.
Man and woman had not been created
the same, and We're not intended TO per-
form the same duties. The idea that the
sexes are equal in all respects is incom-
patible with the best interests of society.
Many things exist in our society" said
Mr. Strong that lead TO the decay of an
Gent Rome. The simple family life of our
fathers does not seem able 10 exist, in
contact with our modern civilization. We
have imported false ideas from abroad and
we have many false ideas, the product of
Mr.. Strong spoke I'm this connection of
the number of young men. earning sala-
ries. who are so addicted to their luxuries
and vices that they feel unable to marry,
and Of the young women who desire rich
husbands in order that they may live in
luxury. He laid great stress upon the
irreverence and lack of ilial respect of
the young, and the general prevalence Of
bad manners among children and young
people. The tendency Of the young 10
early precocity and to leave off their ways
as children to assume those of their cid
ers was commented upon. I'VE seem to
have no children nowadays" said, Mr.,
Strong. They graduate from the nursery
to the drawing room
In conclusion Mr.. Strong reminded the
fathers and mothers of his congregation
of their own obligations to inculcate hon
esty and truth and honor and purity in
the minds of their children in order that
they might be able to comply with the
command. This is the only commandment
with a promise. he reminded them that
thy days may be long upon the land which
the Lord thy God giveth thee" Above all
things he urged that the home be pre-
served, pure and interrupted that the
youth of the country may be trained and
fitted to become useful members of So
ciety.