The Washington times., 1914-04-01

The above excerpt Is from a letter
from a young man, who finds mad
made obstacles to his realization Of
marriage and rebels against them,
but think my unknown friend mis-
quotes the spirit Of my statement. I
did not liken marriage to a 'lesiti-
mate door Of escape from anything.
] said that marriage offered the
only door Of escape from economic
pressure to many girls. and that tho
desire for a home of :ler own was
the legitimate desire Of every moral
human being.
The cause Of tie present anou1a-
lous and unfortunate conditions re-
gardins marriage and divorce II that
marriage has been used too much
as a door Of escape or as a means to
an end. In the majority Of cases. ths
end is not that for which marriage
was designed by the Creator.
II these are q by-product Of happy.
moral relationships in the marriage
state, they may add materially to
the happiness Of the parties but they
are not the object or aim Of mar
riage as intatuted.
Design Of Marriage.
Marriage was designed for the
foundation Of the home, the preser-
walton of the child and the develop
ment Of the adult. II wo would re-
member that the Development OF the
adult is just as much . fundamental
result Of marriage. there would be
less complaining at the growing
pains'' necessary to the process Of
development and for the supposed
relief Of which tho divorce court IL
sought
When We consider the importance
of the institution Of marriage to So
ingorance and misconception have
been permitted to surround the sub
ject. especially among possible candt-
dates for marriage.
Upon the proper adjustment Of
marriage is based the family and
upon the family rests both church
and State. The Law Of Moses and
their foundations In the simple tents
upon the Judean fields, where the
father was both priest and king in
the family.
Even among the most primitive
peoples marriage had both its civil
and religious side. and however
simple or superstittouS the religious
ceremony might be. II was sufficient
to designate that this form OF con.
tract was considered different from
other contracts
Reading the Marriage Ceremony.
Although belonging to a church
that has q marriage service, never
read the service until I went
through the rehearsal for my mar
riage. Most boys and girls will
laugh and joke about 'sweethearts"
and "fussing." but when one begins
to talk Of marrying, a change Is
seen in the expression, and a look
OF self-consciousness IL shown which
proves that there Is something lLrk-
ing in the heart that ia far from
that should be present when con-
sidering such a subject. II the boys
and girls read the marriage service
it is usually done behind the door
and In surreptitious manner.
showing that salacious thoughts and
suggestions have already poisoned
the fountain OF youth.
Most young people seem to feel
that they are doing something i'm
modest in being interested In tho
subject Of marriage. except upon
a purely superficial basis.
Is II any wonder, that, when this
condition exists among children that
arc being trained In the church. We
should have boys and girls growing
UP without any proper comprehen-
sion Of what marriage means. and
who are afraid and ashamed to
speak to us on the things pertain
ing to the most important and funda-
mental matters of their lives.
I want to say that to fight di-
vorce Is the cause Of present con.
ditions is like trying to cure can
Ger with cold cream.
II we are going to prevent di-