Williams news., 1906-07-07
DISAPPROVES OF
 PUBLIC WEDDINGS
BeIievesthe Bond Should Be Held More
 Sacred.

 letter published below, the publica- tion of which was withheld till af- ter the celebration, at the request of the writer, as he had no desire to injure the proposed big time. However, as there was no wedding, it would seem that the public, in general, is of the opinion that we'd dings should not be made sport of. and the publication of the letter now will do no harm:
 CRooKToN, A. T., June 20, 'O6 Dear Editor: -
 In looking over the list of events published in your valued paper this week for July 4th, notice, with some surprise, the following: Pub lie Wedding-$5O purse offered" Does this mean that the good peo pie of Williams are willing to com- bine in offering a reward of $50 to some person or persons to make public exhibition, as a matter of fun, of one of the most sacred ties the God given privilege of the union of the sexes-as an added at traction to a 4th of July celebra ton? Does it mean that we would lay before the rising generation, of whom there are so many promising specimens in our midst. an exam pie of reducing the sacred ties of matrimony to a public show-to be given amidst ball games, foot races and the popping of fire crackers, etc?
 Would we like to see our children married in such a manner? Would we like to teach our children that marriage is only joke, to be in dulged in for public sport at the rate of $50 per? If not, why en- courage such a thought or such a pra ctice in our brothers children or our brothers and sisters? How would it look to see advertised among other events for the 4th, purse of $50 offered to persons will ing to be baptised by the village preacher in the Phelan reservoir? Would not the church hold up its hands in holy horror and cry sacri- lege? And yet, are the rights of ma atrimony less sacred? I think all men will answer, No!
 Let us teach our children to be earnest and true in all things, es- pecially in those matters pertaining to law and marriage, for this is their only salvation from the evils of the divorce courts.
 At the age of 20 years I was married to girl of only IF. That night kneeled down by her bed side and asked the Father to bless our union, to guide us through the rough waters of life and add His sustaining love and strength to all the joys and sorrows of the dear one beside me. That was B years ago, and 1 have met many tempta- tions and had many falls, but that simple prayer, uttered with a sim ner's tongue. has never fallen. Moreover, it has ever guided and sustained us both. In the darkest hours its beautiful white light car ried us onward and upward to that knowledge of eternal truth; where all mankind find peace and happi- ness.
 In conclusion I wish to state that 1 am not fault-finder, and have no desire to criticise the acts of others, but hope to sound a note of warning to those who would lightly treat the bene6cent, but ever sol emn rights of matrimony, and that they may 1e induced to give to the young people better examples to be placed az foundation stones for the building of that most sacred of all institutions, the eternal home.
 Yours for truth,
 w. J. PARKER.
 Engineer Ed Lamb was among those present, he having taken a