The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-08-15

a boy shows a reluctance to enter into
questionable things? How often do
fathers talk to their boys as they
should talk, advising, sympathiZing,
companionating with them, as they
should? Surely that boy is blessed
whose chum is a Christian father, and
a pure gentleman, and we think the
temptations Of college life would
find him not so easy a prey.
Is clothing and feeding a child and
sending It to school doing all par
ent's duty? Does any man, or any
woman, presume to think that they
can shift to other shoulders than
their own the responsibilities resting
upon them, when they become the
parent Of child, the earthly guardian
of a soul?
We believe that all the ills OF So
ciety have their spring and source in
the home. This may be serious
charge, but analyZe, investigate, and
see If it is not true OF course this
is a broad question, and one which
succeeding generations alone may
solve, but history will surely prove
the truth, that the early life Of all
nature certainly affects its maturity.
And now a word about that college
Are Oui OOilCSC PIOAOooOAS1
presidents and directors aware or
these temptations" which constantly
beset the boys and young men who
go to their colleges? II college is
not to elevate, broaden, improve, and
lift to higher, nobler planes Of useful
existence our young men, then let
them stay at home; better by far be
an ignoramus. pure and simple, than
a moral leper, or degenerate" un-
fit for good of any kind.
We always thought this "hazing"
was an unnecessary and thoroughly
Rbominable thing, merely the low
brute nature let loose in a human
being. Why is it allowed? If college
laws and rules cannot prevent these
things, then let them close their
doors and acknowledge themselves a
failure.
There are a few old sayings which
are utterly meaningless, and yet peo-
pie love to repeat them One is that
"a boy must SOW his wild oats" He
NAV SOW his wild oats. as they are
called, but surely even imps ought to
be satisfied with the reaping which
comes. Why should boy SOW his
wild oats any more than a girl? Why
should young people be imbued with
the idea that a good time means those
things which lower or degrade their
natures2
In the first place real religion is
about the sunniest, happiest care
free, brightest existence on this earth
of ours Laugh, sing, whistle, be
merry and glad with a Happiness
which looks upward, song which
has no coarse suggestions, laugh
which springs from no vulgar joke.
A mother speaking plainly To her
little son said; "My boy. when you
hear. as YOU will some day, low men
or bows talking about women or girls,
remember that your mother was a
woman, and your sisters, too, and
leave the place where they are, as
YOU would the pool of filthy slime,
where hogs wallowed."
What is the difference between a
'srovdy" or tough" dressed up and
one in rags and tatters, we would
ask? What is the difference between
immortality surrounded by luxury and
so-calIed respectability, and vice
down in the tenderloin districts? Not
the difference OF a hair, in the sight
OF God.
Let mothers and fathers look well
to their boys and girls, and let them
REQUIRE a clean record from any col
Iege before they send them there.
The secondary schools are the last
to blame In these affairs we believe.
Perhaps some of our colleges have q
good deal In q high sounding name.