Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-22

son and solid common sense Ia sup
port of II. or there would be no such
requirement. but It must be none the
less hard sleddIn'" for the bashful
lover to comply with the rule that IS
to be accepted rs binding In the Ro
inan Catholic church. engagements
to marry must be in writing and
witnessed By two persons" Just
consider that requirement. n moment
or two. Think of the signing Strephon
approaching his Dulcinea, nanked By
n pair Of witnesses. and presenting n
formal petition for her hand In mar
ringc. TO which she may sweetly re-
ply that she VIII be n brother to
him. with those two witnesses pros
cnt to give him the laugh" and 20
go right out and tell all the ncighbors.
Why, mere contemplation OF tho
scene IL enough to give tho spring
lover the shivers. 1t Is altogether
possible that there may be found n
way. as love has ever found a way,
to mitigate the sufferings OF the vic
tim. The recently promulgated de-
crecs of the church does not forbid n
"straw vote on the matter OF matri.
mony, nor does 1t say that there shall
be no private rehearsals. 1t might
not be found n violation of the now
law as the spring season advances
ior the lover to make hypothetical
proposals or tentative propositions: or
otherwlse flid out tho lay of the land"
before precipi,ntlng himself. or for
the happy pair TO rchcarse the scene
together or with other side partners.
Before formally cnncting it in the
presence of Official" witnesses. Trust
Dan Cupid for inventing some trick
by which TO shake off or avoid the
effect OF this latest hobblc. with which
II appears an effort is being made to
stop tho annual spring parade of han
py souls,
But II the church hns seemingly at.
tempted to put hobbies on the nude
and rude little rascal of the bow and
arrow, tho same authority through Mt
least one Of Its distinguished repro.
sentatives has offered help as well.
The good bishop Cotton OF Buffalo.
~. y. evidently awake to the fitness
OF things eternal In the season of
things vcrnal, caused TO be read I'm his
churchcs Inst Sunday an Official lot.
ter addressed to all the people Id hid
care urging them in appropriately
gentle, but at the same timo emphatic,
terms to get married right away
quick or course the letter is for
the special benent OF the youth and
maiden whose souls he has In keen
ing, and the only ones he excludes arc
those who are contemplating embrace
Ing Religious life. The venerable
prclate urges II IA duty on tho BOYS
and girls to get together in the holy
bonds with expedition, but of course
with due regard for Divine guidance.
To every unmarried person In HIS
care who Is of marriagcable ago he
says. ut is your duty TO enter the
married state. and you should pray
God TO send You suitable partners and
direct you In your choice"
IL Is safe prediction that there
VIII be activity In Cupld's realm in
the diocese of Buffalo. There will bc
busy times there as spring dons her
roues OF living green and the shies
dress themselves in blue In honor of
the rebirth of all nature. We can al
most hear Cupid's chuckic. refusing
70 be drowned by the songs of spripp
p'rus' the sound of bursting spring
ouos ana the rustling OF leaves on
shrub, bush and tren The IN, ,,t,,e
rascal with the seIf-fiiInr ouiver
Sung over his shoulder. and the over
'aughtiy bow, has no good cause TO
complain OF hobbies such No thosa
h'h'ed at in the earlier part OF this
article, when from the same source
lie draws such help as that given him
py inc distinguished churchman who
mas commanded his followers 70 fol.
low inc dictates of their hearts and
lhe latest as well as the oldest snr,n,,
iaSn'on the world has over known.
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a LOT OF rich Non. va.,..