Evening journal., 1923-01-08
WOULD CUT ALL
JAUFROM Home
DR.. Bert c. Smith, Meth
odist Sunday School
Worker, Gives Views
ALSO WOULD BAN ALL
SECULAR PICTURES

Replace the rag-time and Jazz
music OF the phonograph and player
piano with something more whole
some.
Remove all pictures from the
home that are not OF religious type.
Hold regular religious worship
in the home and Christianlze the
conversation.
These are among the remedies
proposed by the Rev. Bert r. Smith,
Phi. D., to cure what he terms the
pagan philosophy OF individualism
which seems 10 he the controlling
ideal in many families"
Or. Smith. who resides in Chicago.
was one OF the principal speakers at
the Training Conference OF Meth
odst Sunday School Workers. which
ended on saturday at the Hotel du-
Pont. He was 10 have spoken yes
terday in the Union Methodist
church. but was obliged to forego
his address on account Of a cold.
In response TO request by the
Evening Journal for his Views. Dr.
Smith prefaced his reply by saying
that Professor EllwoOd in his new
volume. "The Reconstruction OF Re
ligion." states his conclusion that
the indispensable preliminary to-
Christian society Is n Christian fam
ilv life. Continuing, DR.. Smith said:
"One Of the greatest dangers fac
ing the family life today is the de-
gree 10 which religious responsible
ity has been dismissed to agencies
outside OF the home circle.
There are many dangers that
must be faced II this institution.
which is central and supreme in a
Christian democracy, is to be con-
cerned.
First of all the decentralization
OF family interests has brought
about situations that make II dif-'
hcult to include religion in the fam
Ily program. There was a day when |
an OF the interests OF the individual
were largely circumscribed by the |
family. Today the educational So
cal and religious tasks are cared |
FOR hy the public school, the club |
and the church The recreational |
impulses arc satisfied on the public |
or in the gymnasium or
elsewhere outside of the home. The |
business interests of the family head |
M downtown. and II seems difficult |
10 assemble the scattered members |
Of the family at any particular time
for things cultural and religious.
There is also a well organized
nda taking place designed |
to undercut the integrity OF the
monogamo family life. This is
expressing itself in cheap Literature
and in places OF cheap entertain
ment.
"A few days ago Judge Bartlett
Of Reno. the city where divorces
may be secured without pain or pub
licity. broadcasted an article in
which he stated that divorce should
be made simpler matter. He also
stated that when two young people
were married. neither knew how
long love for each other was 10 con
t!nue. and that when II died with /
either party. the marriage relation
shin should he promptly Rnnulled. |
4 statement appeared recently in /
New York paper when a father re-
auested that his son and the young
lady whom he was to marry he per
mitted to enter into a trial marriage |
for A period of six months, after
which they were to determine
whether or not the marriage should
be considered permanent.
There are certain forces organ
lzed aga inst the continuation of our
present family system and this dan
ger must ne countSracted in every /
possible way.
Another danger that faces the |
home life is the pagan philosophy /
of individualism which seems TO be
the controlling ideal in many fam
lies. The clash between individual |
ism and the Christian ideal Of per
sonal responsibility RACES more turi- |
ously today than ever. INDIVIDUAL I
ism is finding expression in sus-
nic.on. unhappiness. divorce, war |
moral impurity and other perilous
conditions.
.'rhe message OF Mr.. Hutchinson |
new book. This Freedom is that IN
is not sound philoso-
phv for married l.fe. He describes |
Rosalie. a daughter Of the parson- |
age revolving against the seeming in /
feriority Of woman in the home life;
she trains herself for career, sue
ceeds in business, marries a young |
oarrister. refuses to give up bus
less for the sake of her home. cnil-
iren are educated by governess'
II three children have a moral
breakdown. Rosalie resigns business
ut finds it too late. The message