The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-06-14
Mrs. Grundu.

| Most of US are well acquainted with
/ an ancient parsonage called Mrs.
! Grundy. 1t is not difficult to meet her,
! since she is ubiquitous: but it is some
! times very difficult to recognize her,
as she has the gift of chameleonizing
at will. This privilege enables her to
| take any form or sex, and to frequent
all CLASSES of society. One would i'm
! agine there were thousands of Mrs.
Grundys in existence, and yet, strange
to say, there is only one. A powerful
old dame is Mrs. Grundy. Most of the
inhabitants of the earth, savage or
civilized bow down to Mrs. Grundy
and pay her tribute. Men fear the old
lady, kings tremble before her, but few
dare resist her will. Yet the stern old
dame, strange to say. has real respect
for those who defy her authority, and
will even court their friendship; but
very few have the courage to make the
experiment. If she deigns to smile on
an enterprise, it is a brilliant success;
whereas her frown or isneer withers
away a promising scheme or good
work.
Her influence is always baneful, and
she has ruined millions. Perhaps you
are curious to know how she acquired
the. name of Grundy, which does not
sound very ancient. This is how it
came about. About 100 years ago the
English damatist. Thomas Morton, had
a certain reputation as a writer of
comedies. He brought out one which
was a great success 1t was entitled
Speed the Plough and in that play
one of the characters, a certain Dame
Ashfield, continually repeats these
words: What will Mrs. Grundy say?"
Hence we get the proverbial interro-
CATION; and What will Mrs. Grundy
say?" is equivalent to What will the
world say?"
Mrs. Grundy embodes the worlds
opinion, which has exacted far more
victims than Juggernaut on his tri-
umphal car. Human respect is an inn
mense power in the world. Civilization
has trampled out slavery, but it has
not freed the slaves of human respect.
AS long as the world continues to exist
it viii have its willing bondsmen.
1t needs courage to break the mas
sive chains which human respect winds
around its victims; not that physical
courage which faces danger and braves
death for fame; but that moral courage
whic henables a man to live up to his
convictions, to hold up the flag of duty,
and to be true to his colors in face of
the worlds sscorn or enmity. There is
n Qudlul dQdSN, w OillBn lear llllGe,
mice fear men, and men fear women"
and so the cycle closes. Something
like this so often happens in our daily
lives. People stand in awe of one an
other. and in their terror sacrifice duty
and sacred interests because they have
not the courage to free themselves from
this bondage. Why do even good peo-
pie fear TO go against the current of
the worlds opinion. or, in other words,
why do so many Catholics tremble be-
fore the despotic Mrs Grundy? Cen
orally, because either interest, pride or
cowardice prompts them to court the
favor of the old dame
Do not let yourself be laughed out Of
performing a duty. Never run into
danger because you are dared to do it:
this is a very cowardly act Do not
be ashawed TO own that you are afraid
to commit sin. Say your prayers OPEN
ly. even when you share a room with
those who do not pray Abstain on
Fridays and fast days in spite of a
mocking laugh. Never apologize for
your religion or conceal it through
shame Never exceed your means in |
order TO emulate your wealthier com |
panions. Honestly admit your social |
position. If you are staying with Prot |
estants do not on tflat account. .aglect |
to go TO mass on Sunday Never at
tend non-Catholic services. The COM |
mon plea is, Il did not like to refuse;;" |
this is cowarcily excuse. Never show |
your approval at any sarcasm or Jest |
against holy scripture or Christian !
morality. Do not be ashamed of being /
pious and beware of posing as a 'jolly |
girl just to conceal your deeper feel