New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-29
Guilds Latest Lure Is the Trial Engagement

ognition Of the soulmate will come in
flash at the proper psychological moment.
Ferdinand has received the flash at last
l am it," finished the lady. mystically.
The awed reporter stumbled out the
front door and through the Earless sunlit
garden amid the hills Of Orange County.
He then sought Nathaniel Goodwin, who
blushed when pressed 10 give his callow
opinion on trial engagements II believe
there is something wrong with the sys-
tenn" whispered Nat. Il have always
been in the habit Of marrying only after
deep and long consideration. yet know
Il man in Kansas who had a girl blow
! against him during a cyclone, and he mar
ried her as soon as they could disinter
the justice Of the peace from the ruins OF
! the town hall and they were happy ever
| after Now. there you are The question
! is too big for me. l am still in the kim
! dergarten"
The troubled Tribune man then made his
way TO one who has made the welfare OF
!. the human family her life study. \ sweet,
gentle voiced woman OF seventy-two, Mrs.
Elizabeth B. Grannis, veteran woman's
rghtist president for tweny-one consec-
utve terms Of the National Christian
League for Promotion of Purity. philaA-
thropist, suffragist and lobbyist, was asked
what she thought of the trial engagement
Il take the old-fashioned Of you wish
to call It thaO and serious view OF the
marital bond between male man and MS
counterpart-female man." she said.
THE entire foundation OF life, social
political and individual, is proper mating.
The fault lies not in the institution or
marriage. but in the frivolous way men and
women enter into II. II a trial engage
ment. as you put II, could last long enough
To afford tests of character and moral fit
ness for marriage. it would be good
thing. All enga gements are trial engage
ments in sense. OF course Yet in the
old Jewish Biblical days the betrothal was
as binding and almost as sacred ? the
wedding vow.
Marriage has degenerated with the GEN.
turtles. II IS not now considered the sealing
of a solemn compact. entered into WIN
the serious purpose OF mutual aid. mutual
DEVELOPMENT and a mutual rearing 81 chill
dren that will he a source OF pride to the
parents the community and the nation.
Yet. if. after marriage has been entered
into with reverence and solemnity Of pur-
happiness is proved then ! do not believe
IN the continuance Of the bond. Your trial
engaeements and your trial marriages
however. SAVIOR Of frivolity Nothing re-
mains nowadays of the Biblical idea 81
betrothal save a certain sense OF honor
and that only on the part Of the man
Have you read Of the case Of RuzNe-
lamb. Mrs Grannis?" the reporter yentured
Il certainly have" replied the little
woman with silver hair. and | should have
liked Mr. what IS his name?-to win MS
case It is the first breach OF promise case
/ ever read az. or heard Of. where should
have been glad 20 see the man win. Not
that | wish any benefit 10 such a man as
what IS his name'-hut | should Ike the
woman IN that case 10 he obliged 10 pay
5000
II Ruzzieiau had won his case would
II not have DO n bad precedent 20 set
No There H. not one man In ten thou
sand who would choose 20 follow the eN-
ample Of Mr. Ruz-what IS his name p
Such humiliation would deter any man ot
the slightest principle This particular
YOUNG man H. an eNcresceuc" on society
but his case could be made 10 point moral
and deter other women from wasting theF
lives and the lives of foolish victims. THIS
Mr. Ruzzielamb GriSwold-iS that his name
is certainly an example of what the thai
engagement could lead to.
yet an cngagement-call II 'triaI one
N YOU choose-cau bc made the best prepa-
ration possible for righteous marriage. \
Iegitimate engagement largely answers the
purpose OF a trial marriage. The parties
TO an engagement have many opportunities
TO learn traits of character man VIII
always be- more autocratic after his en-
gagement than before; the woman usuaiy
more submissive and eager TO please
doubt very much H. under mere trial
engagement. there would be the incentive
To do the best one could. In Japan, now
ever. the trial marriage fourshes NO
stigma attaches 10 divorce. II is an open
question whether Japan manages TINS great
question any better than the western
World The japanese are not noted Tor
their sense OF honor"
Miss Sears herself. alleged pioneer IN
trial engagements. refused To be inter-
viewed. The trial engagement story Is
lust plain bosh." said a friend OF MISS
Sears
And there you are, -...
SUNDAYS NETWORK TRIBUNE
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