Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-21
=. Frank Talk Is the Best -.

II could not have done itT' declared
the other and older woman. II consid-
er It most immodest. do not see how
you can talk of these things with your
boy and hope to keep his respect"
That was the attitude of many a So
called pure minded matron of that day,
She fancied that in telling the truth
woman would forfeit the respect OF
clear headed lad, and that in lying
she would keep his respect Many chill
dren of former generations were re-
minded that they should not ask such
questions" or commanded to "be quiet
and run away and play" when they
sought for the truth on matters of life
and sex.
Dare we say that evil comes of this
franEness which is now in the air and
is advocated by those who would help
to make good men and women of our
boys and girls? II we say that the mod
ern fair dealing and honest speaking is
wrong, and that the concealments and
subterfuges of the past were right, we
admit that the truth is shameful, and
that a lie is honorable condition
which the Almighty Himself could not
bring about.
Curiosity and unseemly and unneces-
sary discussion are to be deprecated
and avoided, bur surely to tell the facts
Of existence, to speak of them frankly
and honestly, is not to sully purity, but
to bring it into the clear light Of day
that all may see how beautiful It is.
How many Of US have stopped to con-
slider what the effect would be upon all
evil things if there were no mystery
connected with them? Do parents appre-
ciate that If this were true there would
be no sinister curiosity, no whispering
and questioning among children, no
Why should there be? Each child would
know the truth from the person intended
by the creator TO impart 1.-THE parent
and would know 1t in such a natural,
honest, pure way that one would forget
that anyone could be evil-minded enough
to see wrong in it. All, il there Is one
thing that we need to destroy IL is the
mystery which is the devils own allure
ment to our young peoplei Why be
curious about that which one under
stands2 That is the attitude of the nor
NAL boy and girl.
Fathers and Sons.
Strange as it may seem, it is often
IIankly
with his son. Let him alone" he saws
easily, until he comes to me for the
truth. He will surely come sooner or
later"
win he? I doubt it. 1t is frequently
the mother-she, who, from her baby's
birth had prayed that he may be a good
pure man-who gains her sons conf
dence and to whom he will talk freely.
wonder II he, this same son, appre-
ciates that the modest mother could
give him no greater proof of her love
than in telling him what she believes
he ought to know. Yet l am sure that
maternal love is so great and sacriice
so much part of It, that her only
thought in such cases is to do what Is
best for the lad whom she loves better
than her own life.
What kept you straight through
your college career?' was asked of one
mantle son of a mother who had
dealt frankly with him.
God and my mother" was the prompt
reply, Il did not want anything in my
life which l was afraid to mention Ia
such a confldante and chum as my
mother has always been Moreover,
knew that she trusted me-and as she
has always been so square and honest
in all her advice and talks with me, II
would seem rather low-wouldn't it?-
not to Justify her faith In me?"
When such a reply as this can be made
with honesty. need one fear the effect
OF speaking the truth?