The Newtown bee., 1902-08-08

associations such a revelation must of the sexes, and abuses of social freedom! What lack of proper in- struction and moral self-restraint! What neglect of suitable parental care. and right public opiniOn! Alas! what utter absence of true religious convic- tiOnS, or any decent regard for the re- spectability and honor of the family!
 Do we realize how perilous are the present conditions of our social life? Are we careful enough to regulate and restrict the associations of our boys and girls? Do we insist as we should upon the proper social and moral dis functions which according to both the Law and the Gospel, are everywhere and always the dividing lines between good society and society that is bad? Do we educate our young men and maidens as they need to be educated with reference to the essential rules, principles and usageS of good Christian Society? It seems to me that many are blind and indifferent to the most subtle ana dangerous powers of evil aSSOciat tiOnS which are everywhere about us.
 The very freedom of our social life, of which we are wont to boast, is fraught WIUil StduSCIo Ol SIOoo dUuoC. 1 uC more liberty we give to our children the more careful and persistent must be our guardianship of their associa- tiOns and conduct. It is not easy to stand up against the evils and abuses that we see about us. It is not pleas ant to be always on guard against the subtle influences of vice and crime. It is not happy Sta.e of society in which one must ever be on the alert to fight for his natural rights against the concert of ignorance and the insolence of the wicked. One does not enjoy to be often saying to his children: '"That man is thief, liar, drunkard, or an impure man," as the case may be, "have nothing to do with him." But certain distinctions must be made and maintained or there can be no proper social order and safety. We must draw the lines somewhere, or we make no differences and there are no dis functions of true and false, good and evil, respectable and nOn-respecUable- all are alike and the good are partakers of the evil deeds and associations of the wicked.
 It is easy to let the evil doers have their way. It is easy to let our chil- dren do as they please without in- struction or restraint. But let us DeWdFo Ol UIlo COuSeq uCuCoS, WHICH are the same everywhere and always. The perilous life of the modern maiden has become the theme of the moralist and novelist and the bur- den of the anxious parent. Indeed, the perilous girl of the period threatens the peace of the family quite as much as the wild and wayward son whose figure is relegated to the background. It is amazing how many young women one sees everywhere and espe- cially in the summer at pleasure re- sorts Evidently they are of all sorts and conditions of life; but mostly un- educated, or half educated; without any particular occupation or object in the world; dressed to make show; restless and bent on pleasure; eager to make acquaintances and associate with others, and especially with men; and as rule unattended by parents <or any responsible representatives of their families
 The average young woman appears to be more than willing to dance, play cards, go on picnic, or ride about the country at night, alone with this young man, and then with that young man, regardless of the laws of good society or the tongue of scandal.
 Is it any wonder that there are many missing girls sad homes, and blasted regulations ?-[O. o. Wright.