Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-07-23

| universities are allowed to sing vulgar
and prOfane class songs on the streets
| in our New England villages and
towns, etc But we need wonder no
| longer, for the answer is that these
young people come up, or rather were
| reared where there was no refined
| warm sympathetic family circle, and
| they really were simply allowed to
come up. 1t is not enough for boy
To have praying mother or God
fearing father. If the boy or girl is
deprived of the influence of that I'M
speakable gift to childhood, a warm,
appreciative home circle the chances
are coed deal more than equal that
the child will not be an honor to the
parcntage.
We have not intimated that fathers
or mothers have been guilty of any
wrongful act while absenting them
selves from their families. 1t is not
necessary that they should do that to
work the ruin we have depicted. There
is no sin in pack of cards or in
fiddle, but these very innocent articles
are often used in way that causes a
great deal of sin and sorrow to follow
in their wake. We even know men
whom we think commit sin i'm going
to an innocent Grange meeting even,
when their duty would seem to cail
them elsewhere.
We see the disgrace caused by the
loss Of the pure home life in church at
tendance. In recent visit to a YER
mont city, where the good old
Puritanical custom Of whole families
attending church together brought the
fact freshly to mind. for such scenes
are so rare as to attract marked at
tention. When families enjoyed each
others companionship in the home
circle it was but natural that on Sun
day they should attend church to-
gether. as they do now in some rare
instances, but it is only where the
family spirit and family loyalty have
been kept alive. What is a finer sight
on a Sabbath morning than to see the
streets of a New England town filled
with entire families, the larger the
better, with wor shipers! We certainly
know of none. / ~
Well here is the situation. Father,
and mother meet perchance, eat a
hurried meal together. perhaps before
the children arrive, and then sepa-
iitt t.ttH ttlttI MS Ut her oWn DuSI-
ness or pleasure. Is it to be expected
that. the children in such a family will
grow up enthusiastic over such poor
apology for home? How different
if the old time fcrvor could be revived
and if father and mother surrounded
by their children could gather about !
the family board. and after a meal |
partaken Of nationally and enjoyably |
each one would linger for the COM |
partnership of the other, shutting out |
the pleasures and SORROWS of the cold,
cold world. but rather basking in the |
sympathy of each for the other. The |
boys and girls i'm such q home would |
not be found late at night rowing the |
streets of the town with older COM |
panions. learning things that neither |
refine nor educate them.
To be sure, some Of the club gather
ings would be neglected and there |
would be several vacant chairs that |
never ought to have been filled by |
either women or men who have fami- |
lies dependent upon them, but think |
of the incalculablc benefit that would
be done to the immediate
community, not tn say the world at
large