The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-01-13
APPROACH TO MARRIAGE.
Method Of Approach to This State
Discussed by Rev. S. C. ohrum
at Cairo Baptist Church.

FOLLOWING is the conclusion of 4
tsermon on Citizenship and Mar
rage" the first part of which was
given In last Mondays Bulletin:
The method of approach to mar
riage is derived from the psychology
of the approach; and there are several
steps to be mentioned. which in act
ual experience may sometimes be in
distinguishable.
Polite Mountaineering.
The sexes should mingle in polite
lacquaintaneeship. They should meet
each other frequently in the ordinary
daily affairs They should grow up
together In the innocent play of child
hood, in the amusements of school
days, and In the pleasures OF society.
These contacts are desirable to cul
tiyate mutual acquaintanceship.
Such opportunities should be pro
vided by parents and guardians: for
If young people do not mingle properly
they will find some way that is harm.
| full. Home gatherings where the
young folks have jolly good time
are invaluable for polite and helpful
acquaintanceship; and they afford the
logical opportunity for the further
steps along the way to marriage.
The church, also, should cultivate
her privilege, and should not neglect
ways and means for the social contact
of the unmarried. And where else IS
there such a pure atmosphere for
thoughts of marriage?
This polite acquaintanceship should
have regard to the good character Of
the company. and the young person
should be encouraged to meet only
those whose morals are pure and
healthy.
Polite acquaintanceship should be
cultivated by all the unmarried, ami
no one should be encouraged to live
apart by oneself. 1t is the beginning
of the approach to marriage, and
every one, In due time, should at
least make this beginning.
oONid4 compromising
Out Of these polite acquaintance
ships there should come social COM
Partnerships. 1t is more natural for
one to cultivate companions of the op.
posite sex. and there may be several
of them at the same time.
These companions will form a
smaller circle than the mere social
acquaintances. and they should be Sc
lected with more care. No one should !
be allowed to come into this closer /
circle unless suitable, at least in char |
acter, to be admitted into the still |
closer ties of friendship; for it is us
ual, and properly so, to select from
this circle the one who. later on, may |
be considered for marriage.
Here, then, Is where the oversight !
Of some wise head. usually the parent,
should be allowed to have a strong
influence In selecting the preferred
for, later on. no one on
Earth will be allowed to speak a word
If warning.
These. social companions Should be
;arefully cultivated by every ulmsr-
led person. and with the view Of al
owing some one Of them To .ripen
nto something more valuable. 1t is
Tot wise to push aside these friends
90 quickly. just for the sake Of some
lew face that may appear.
Kindly Friendship.
Social companions should be al
owed to ripen into kindly friendships,
fhere one soul is in sympathy and
armony with another. where aims are
ne. where friend holds Fellowship
nth friend. The classic example Of
David and Johnathan. NAV
q duplicated in the ordinary walks Of
lie. and such friendships between the
eSes are both proper and desirable.
This circle will. Of necessity. be mar
owed down to a very few. Such
riends should be selected with the
tmost care. and only persons Of the