The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-08
YOUTH. of TODAY
INDICATED WITH
BISHOPS Letter
Critics censured in Statement
Read by Townson to To-
cal Congregation.

The pastoral letter from the
House Of Bishops of the general
convention, the legislative body
of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, has been read to the
congregation of the local church
the pastor, the Rev. E. s.
Towson. A similar letter is COM
posed once every three years by
committee OF bishops, follow
ing. the holding of the general
convention, it being an established
custom in this church for the
bishops 10 address letters to the
songregations of their faith at
this time. The last meeting was
leld recently in Portland, Ore.
The changing conditions Of the
world, especially those. of, the In
dustrial and social phases, were
discussed in the recent letter. A
prominent note in the article
was the evident sympathy ex-
, pressed in behalf Of the youth Of
today. THE young people of. to-
day are exactly what we have
made them," says the bishops
letter. ITO frequently parents
have practically abdicated their
position Of direction and leader
ship; certainly they have not OK
, etcised strong spiritual influence,
by example as well as precept, in
building up a simple and natural
religious home life. The way in
which men and women behave de-
ponds largely on what they accept
and believe. They offend through
ignorance and their ignorance is
due to a lack of definite and au-
thoritative teaching"
In stating that they have little
sympathy with "critics who adopt
q censorious attitude towards
youth, always complaining and
generally condemning," the writ
ters add, "Any word of censure
Of today's new customs, which
some Of You may be tempted to
utter, should lead to searchings
oE heart as to ones own infu-
Ne, more than that, to grave
Questions Of conscience for each
Of ussaslto the purpose and plan
: Of our own life and the justice
! and decency of the Industrial and
social order which We have been
building"
The remainder OF the letter
sounds the following notes:
I'VE. your bishops send you
Athese words Of pastoral counsel.
pAfter great convention. which
has wonderfully revealed this
american church tn its members
astS national organization, WITH
anatlcnal consciousness and a ma
tionsl mission.
IL Is, in truth. the absence Of
Smotiye that brings anxious
thought to many who are troubled
by the manners and morals Of So
ctaI life today. We have little
sympathy with critics who adopt a
censorious, attitude toward youth,
always complaining and generally
condemning. Freedom Of behavior
and carelessness Of speech may
I mean and often do mean, not lack
OF courtesy or consideration, but
aislike OF convention, the desire to
atural and human. They may
meal and sometimes do mean,
readiness, willingness and deter
niination to level social distinct
ions and forego social privilege, a
larger freedom in social habits
and a real democracy Of thought
and activity. What the more
sthoughtful fear. however, Is that
for most people there is no such
motive behind the crudlty and
even yulgarity of social life. Is
Il not rather merely careless.
= needless; aimless and Indifferent.
A new generation may Will cast
away outworn conventions. II only
there be high purpose as well 40
high spirit In the revolt.
stWithout a vital faith, without
definite standards OF conduct hav'
ing back Of them divine sanctions,
the level of popular moral opinion
WIN steadily become lowered.
at has already been terribly
lowered through the menace Of d.
! yorce, which encourages a selfish
andl extreme indiMdualism, Is dis
rupting the American home and
poisoning the springs Of social /
Il has been lowered also by like
indiyidualism which. for Its own
private satisfaction, sets aside law
sand utterly dIsregards the possible
Consequent breakdown OF public
order. We commend to the laity
serious study Of tho Christian
faith and worship, that they may
see the necessary relationship be-
tween creed and conduct; above
all else that they may see the real
basis Of moral standards.
"Too many OF the generation
now passing have been content to
have, to hold and to enjoy. We
\ have been too easily satisfied with
low ideals Of the religion OF Christ.
Our conscience have not been
troubled when the strong Cypress.
ed the weak. We have been r.
full to inquire too closely Us 70
sources Of wealth and methods OF
production. We have been content
10 make Christianity a religious
! rule for the individual and the do.
knestic circle and we have not SER
ously tried to give It a place in
ltouiTnaScaI m, lffdnRfrV. In noIi1Jn,1