The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-07-09

proved abortive. The experiments
and the concert-room. is of too
sickly sentimentality to be tolerated
by vigorous intellects, and would
cease to awaken gentle memories in
the hearts of any but the hopelessly
antiquated. Soon we might be told
that the Lords Prayer and the Ten
Commandments are out of date, and
ought to give place to the latest
ideas in sociology. The upheavals
that exist in the brains of some fa-
natics and wild propagandists may
grieve mature people of settled prin-
ciples, but cannot shake their opin-
ions supported by sound reason and
common sense; but the effect may
in communal living, in phalansteries
and communities of various name
and kind, where the family is merged
or submerged, have failed The cry
has been, after trial of such expe-
dients; Back to the home. Even par
tial domestic cooperation where
the separate family has been main
tanned after a time has generally
proved Improbable. The economic
basis for success in such undertak-
ings has not yet been developed,
though in time it may become most
profitable adjunct to domestic life.
Such changes and reforms as are
feasible will strengthen rather than
destroy these separate homes.
The Imperfect Home
There are imperfect homes of va
rying degrees. The illiterate, unin-
telligent housewife can pervade no
place rightly to be called home.
The woman whose interests are all
outside the family must necessarily
be an occasional inmate rather than
a ruler and organizer. The house
or apartment kept only for a show
place for the benefit of outsiders.
has no right to the name. But
these. though too common, are still
exceptional. The average home,
managed on enlightened principles,
and based on old-fashioned. ccnsci-
entious, uuselish devotion, is still
the best institution that has been de-
vised for the sheltering. rearing, and
nurture, both spiritually and physi-
cally, of the family. 1t is a hard,
material individuaiism that would
destroy it.
The claim is, that the home has
always been unprogressive, and still
remains behind in completeness Of
organization and method. 1t is in
too many respects haphazard instl-
tuition, conducted somewhat differ
emily in each household. The house
keeper has been accused. perhaps
with justice. of lack of initiative and
creative power in her own sphere.
But the home is not a machine, and
never can be. 1t is tie only insti-
tuition that has remained more or
less primitive because of it's COM
plexity and the varied wants, tastes,
appetites, to which it ministers. 1t
is human and self-directing rather
than material moved from without.
In it's finest results it shows how the
direct human touch, oversight, and
direction is superior in the molding
of character to the most perfectly
adjusted mechanism. In its more
imperfect results it is still better
than the hotel, the institution, the
refuge, or charitable shelter.
Parental Control
Aside from the mere physical or
dering and direction of the house as
place to eat, and sleep, and mingle
with the family, there is the far
greater question of parental control
and nurture that cannot be carried
on in crowd, and requires the pri-
vacy of the separate dwelling. If
the home In its very existence were
really threatened. those who act for
the good of the community and the
progress of civilization would be
forced to band together for it's main
tenance. But the denouncers only
speak for themselves and their rest
less, feverish ambitions. They show
the trend of the age in degree, but
they do not touch the deep heart of
womanhood and manhood pledged
to maintain those institutions that
lie at the base of all the higher
agencies, the church. the school, the
republic itself, and make for justice,
honesty. private and public honor,
purity, and peace.-The Christian
Register.
PRISONERS ARE HARSH JUDGES