Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-20
Bishop Duncan on Marriage.

washington POSt.)
Bishop Duncan'S advice to young per-
sons about to marry. given in his address
before the Virginia Conference the other
day. was much better than Punch's.
nosition. Punch condensed his warning
into one word: "Don't.' bishop Dun
can. had he boiled his down TO its mar
rowest compass, would have said: BE
careful. PUnch's advice we may dis
miss very briefly If ali young people
we're to take it. what would become of
the word? The pairing of the sexes is
IN obedience TO a natural law as irfpera-
tive as the instinct for food and drink.
We r1uet reclton with it alwavs
The Bishops remarks were addressed,
conference. He urged the utmost caution
IN the choice of wife and total alb
stention when the alternative was be-
tween getting the wrong Gre and getting
none. Two things, to judge from the
newspaper reports. seemed TO him of
prime in2porsance: Ftrsc. that the young
woman should not live very far away
from the. young man: rnG: second. that
she should be one with him IN his de-
nominational faith. Without assuming to
he wiser than the good man who set
inquire whether it r1ay not be possible
20 lay down rules on such Il subject too
swearing to he salutary?
Take the matter Of separation by
long distance. for Instance. Absence
says the poet. "rnakes the heart grow
fonder.'' Doubtiess what the Bishop
fhouGht or was the DISTRACTION or tne
vourg mars mind which might persist
in wandering TO q remote object where
there is so much to demHrd its attention
close at hand. Rrlt did Or. Duncan ever
see any YOU'RE man in love whose mind
could he kent s Oily on the concrete
business Immediately nefore him? And il
his mind is bound 70 wander toward
something out of sight any way. what
does it signify whether the attraction
he a thousand reilcs distant or only
ground the corner?
saiiust, If we rcrnerper arfrFit, who
5aralvzed true friendship mo fixing and
dis'iFir@ tho same things But IN this
dainttion salust only pe'raved his own
phi!osophic principle. Some Of the best
frients we ever saw have been nersons
opposite as to poles in their tastes We
DO not say that we shnlt!d recommend
sue;, q difference as n test for friendship.
and cectairly rot for love. xflich is y
stcn beyond friendship in the Same t't-
earilv frterooses any barrier fatal to
these sentiments.
It may be arsued mat on religious
thsn on anv Other class which arise be-
tween human beings. Perhaps this Is
true: but Pishop Duncan is not droted
IS saving that minister should choose
. wife % his own religious faith-onlv OF
his own denomination What rift need IL
make for examine. in the agreement OF
two souls or the robe. funf'arnsnts OF
FfllfrlbGS pfftlGI ana l1r 'l!fA--tf Gcne.
charity. ans tire Golden Rnla-that one
rccar ds Immersion as an essential feature
In the rite OF hap.fs5c, ard the other is
content vith snrinklirs. Why need two
GOOD raonle who lore each oshar and
worship the snrie Deity separate because
one thinks that poor human nature nay
hacksIife agatn ard acain without losing
hope Of salvation ard the other considers
! that ttore are certain urnarsonah'e sins?
{ Dern-r irrational craeds are fter oil more
| matters of irheritarra or Individual fem-
sn7ramsnts then anything else. the essen
tails OF religionz snrae-lie them all but
should not be- confused with them.
IT seer.tss 20 ms that me rntnissar cu~ht
TO set his foels an example In bis 1par-
riage duite rs carefully rs In h 3 sssen-
srf,f WALL and conversation. Whether The
7 finds In his wife at q distance from his