The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-06-09

MEMS WEDDING
By F. n. WALKER

|tS'S ~ -
L most things accurately and well.
published the news that in its city
The use of wedding rings for men is
gaining rapidly in popularity.
This is interesting and important If
it means that men are coming TO take
the marriage ceremony and its VOWS
more seriously and that the divorce
rate is as "A consequence to cease in
its upward trend.
The wedding ring is a relic of saw
agery. 1t is probably a descendant of
the metal bracelet and chain by which
the earlier tribes of men assured them
selves that their spouses would not
wander away from the house domicile
while the master of the house was
away hunting.
Some more engaging wife, having
convinced her husband of unquestion-
able fidelity, was rewarded by having
the bracelet replaced by the ring and
the chain done away with altogether.
The ring by itself showed that she
was married. The absence of the
chain said, Here is an exceptionally
fine wife" That fiattered and pleased
both parties.
But if the modern woman is ex-
pected TO al a wedding ring and
advertise her married position. what
good reason is there why the husband
should not be marked in an equally
prominent manner and his limitations
of freedom equally advertised?
San old custom of the marriage cere-
mony consisted of putting the wedding
ring first on the thumb, then on the
first finger, then on the second, speak
ing the names of the Trinity as the
ceremony proceeded, and, finally, when
It rested on the third finger, 1t was
supposed TO signify that mex to her
duties to God the wife recognized her
duties to her husband.
OF course, it ought not to require a
ring or any other form of emblem to
make a man or a woman hold sacred
the vows of the altar. If a thin band
of gold or platinum is all that re
strains either one of them from wan
dering, then the divorce court is not
very far away.
To most the wedding ring
is a very sacred thing. 1t is the last
thing that goes to the pawnshop when
adversely demands its toll. Just how
much it means to the men, who in
accordance with the new custom will
wear it,, is a question that only a test
will settle.
The question of divorce in this coun-
try is fast getting to be Of such dimen-
as to demand serious corrective
attention.
In twenty years the number of di-
yorces granted annually has increased
from about 10000 to $4,000 with a
total in the twenty years of nearly
two millions.
In Nevada there are almost as many
divorces as there are marriages, but,
Nevada has been the resort OF
many citizens from other states seek
-ng freedom from marital ties, it may
be fairer to point to Oregon which
has only two and a half times as many
marriages as divorces.
In six counties In four states the
record shows 90 per cent more di-
7orces thar marriages.
The innocent parties to these dis
agreements are the children and in
he past 20 years more than 100000
sons and daughters of disagreeing
have been involved in the
,ourt proceedings which followed the
1esire for separation.
In many states it has come to be
,asier to get divorced than it is to get
married. Scarcely two states have di-
vorce laws alike, and what is Illegal
IN one state becomes perfectly all
light so far as the statutes go the
minute the imaginary line between ii
nd another commonwealth is crossed
Perhaps the custom of wedding
ings for men will have a good effect
IN the bad record recited above.
Perhaps, on the other hand, the mer
VIZ wear uucii pauecS u ludillnopy =
n their vest pockets whenever they
hink a more conspicuous display will
Interfere with an evening a little gay 4
r than they would have at home.
But whatever means is necessary fof
he correction Of present conditions
hould be determined and put into /
orce.
Marriage should be made less of
arce and divorce less of a joke thar /
resent records show both to be. +
The marriage relation is an impor
part of our civilization. 1t mer
IS more attention and more perfec {
on than !. is at present receiving. +
(Copyright.) s
t - III