Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-01-06

she should either put drinking out OF
the social functions of her circle, or
put those who drink out She can do
either If she will. But she is doing
neither.
thought, this society woman has help
ed to diminish the
Sanctity of the Marriage Bond.
and to make divorce a common thing.
Statistics and observation show that
among these people were wealth and
luxury abound there are many divorces
granted. 1t is more than probable
that in comparison with the number
of people who compose the society I'M
der discussion there are more DEGREES
of enforcement granted than in any
other circle in America.
Statistics, so far as they go on this
question, are terribly eloquent in their
pleading for society to change its aw-
full course In this circle there are
often divorces granted which are the
result of well known scandals, but be-
cause those involved are wealthy, and
powerful because they are wealthy, the
so-called high society element does
not rebuke them by ostracism, but
permits them to continue as leaders
in society" just as if they were brill
liant saints incarnate. The leaders OF
society should remember that, with all
their mistakes. they exert vast in
fluence, and that others will FOLLOW
their examples
To illustrate.
1t is well known that Mr., A. and Mrs.
B. are very devoted to each other, though
he is married to his wife and she to her
husband. The scandal is spoken of under
breath for long time Finally MIR. a.
trumps up some charge and procures a
enforcement decree from the court. Next
week Mrs. b. has by some means OBJ
tanned a divorce. And the next week Mr..
A and Mrs. b. are united at the mar
riage altar. All know that such course
is wicked in itself and debasing in its
influence. And yet, these rich. powerful
society leaders receive and are received
in their wide circle without rebuke. Hence
many society women have thrown their
influence in favor OF the gold standard as
the entree into American society rather
than demanding a standard Of character
which is unquestioned and unqueston-
able. 1t is not the writer of this article
who arraigns this horrible tendency in
society. but the alarming fact, to which
the American courts testify by thousands
of DEGREES. The society woman can so
frown such procedure down, if she will,
as to ostracise the scandalous Divorces
from her set, and she ought to do so.
In view of what has been often witt
messed in high society life in the past
decade in all of our large cities, in con-
nection with marriage and divorce, one
might imagine
The Marriage Vows
running thus:
l, NJ, take thee, N, to be my welded
wife. to have and to hold, for better not
worse, for richer not poorer, for health
not sickness, to love and cherish tin death
do us part, or until i find some woman
who is dashing, richer more fascinating
who strikes my fancy more strongly than
you do, at which time / shall claim the
privilege of setting this contract aside
by decree of enforcement, In spite Of
Gods holy ordinance, and with this clear
ly understood, 1 hereby plight thee my
troth.
The bride might use the same, applying
the above words TO the word man." and
say, with this clearly understood. Il
hereby give thee my trothr sacreligious!
you say, yes, verify. But we have seen
this enacted over and over again from
New York City to San Francisco. Laws
are both made and annulled by public
sentiment. And the society woman is the
one to right these wrongs by creating a
righteous sentiment by her demand.
These Conditions
involve the society woman iu her relation
to her religion. Women are generally re-
ligious. But the society woman under
discussion while actually. in most cases,
a COMMUNICATE of some church. is not a
cody woman. She is of the world world
~. In most instances her hour is prayer
less, Christless. Goddess. She reads few
religious books; is not a student of the
Bible. She has no time for daily COM
munion with God. OF course. there are
some exceptions to this trend, but en-
tirely too few.
The American society woman will con-
tinue to be a church member during the
Twentieth Century. But unless there
shall come revival of goodness which
shall deepen piety and sancufy anew
the marriage altar and the home, she will
drift more and more into those churches
which are unevangelical. where she may
have some form Of religion without hay-
ing
Her Conscience Disturbed.
In the Twentieth Century vital plety
shall be as it ever has been, opposed to
worldliness. The society woman plunues
into society's excesses to find something
to fill her empty, aching heart She cam
not have that heart perfectly satisfied
until she admits the Christ TO abide RI
she continues to ignore Him. in the great
Twentieth Century. her mighty influence
will be against Him whose hands were
pierced TO make her free. She is the COW
eted prize 'twixt angel and devil. and she
ought to be wholly on the angelic side
/ covet her power for Christ's kingdom
It is needless for me to say AZ NOR
consider the society under dfscuss,or
Americas best society. There IS great
society IN our country composed of thave