Evening star., 1925-02-04

grant violations of ethical and moral
standards that now and then disclose
themselves" Bishop James E. Free
man, In his address last night open
ing the thirtieth annual convention
of the Diocese of Washington, ap-
pealed to 200 clerical and lay dele
gates not to accept the dictum that
this Is morally decadent age"
Regarding what he termed the more
intimate things of domestic and So
cial life, Bishop Freeman asked.
Would we dare to affirm that here
conditions are disclosed that COM
pare favorably with those we have
known in former times?"
we would with consistency and
discrimination" he continued, CON
slider this aspect of our modern life;
we would not, by reason of certain
glaring and fragrant violations of
ethical and moral standards that now
and again disclose themselves, make
sweeping generalizations and untem-
pered criticisms. Let us say frankly
that we do not accept the dictum
that this is a morally decadent age
on the other hand, we do not be-
lieve that the home and society are
blameless when judged in the light
of fair and honest criticism. All
postwar periods have been charac-
terized by moral laxity even as they
have been characterized by sweeping
changes in political and social rela-
tions. Our age has witnessed the
breaking down of conventions, the
dissolution of ties and obligations
that were once rega ii as secure
and sacred
Revolt of Youth.
TT has seen the revolt of youth
against old restrictions, and the
larger liberty, If not license, Of those
who refuse to acknowledge authority,
whether in home, classroom or the
larger sphere of social action: for
now a time has come to mock at
form Much untempered and ill-ad-
vised judgment has been pronounced
upon the youth as they have emerged
upon their new world of adventure
and larger freedom. We do not hold
with those who see nothing but de-
generacy in all these aspects Of the
so-called youth movement We
frankly register the opinion that 1T
is not in any youth movement that
we see signs that give us pause. Ex-
cesseS here will correct themselves if
given time, and more favorable and
consistent example on the part of
those who, by reason of maturity,
Youth is quick to note any relaxing
of wholesome conventions, or the alb
rogation of standards. by those who
essay the role of leadership. Domi-
mated by strong impulses, and gifted
with rich imagination, youth soon
outstrips It's elders when once the
pace has been set. The home as the
chief conservator of the things of
character has not been superseded.
~, ~, l.
to the home as its chief ally.
Christ's Principles Needed.
we cannot substitute some modern
code that is loosely formed for those
more fixed and definite principles that
inhere in the system of character build
ing given to men by Jesus Christ. Indif-
ferent esteem or careless recognition by
parents of these essentials of conduct
and good breeding play havoc with our
youth. They are swift to see the shall
lowness and superficiality of those whose
empty professions give no confidence or
assurance that they are governed by
their beliefs.
The recognition of the sovereignty of
God, of the mighty teachings of Jesus
and of the relation of man to his re-
ligious obligations is given scant heed.
Everything else takes precedence, and
social advantage and preferment, sue
cess and advancement in social or pro-
fessional life occupy so large place
that all else is crowded out and aban
doned We are credibly informed that
where the religious faith and practices
of those who come to us from foreign
parts were sedulously and zealously
maintained in their fatherland, once
they breathe the free air of our ex-
hiiarating America they readily part
company with old ways and lay aside
all self-imposed disciplines and re-
straints. Where there are no such things
as parental obligations, where love In
terprets itself in terms of lust, we can
hardly expect refinement and reverence
in the sensitive and initiative youth. If
fathers and mothers think it clever to
evade or disobey wholesome conventions
and laws, if they make a travesty of re-
ligion and disclose no reverence for
sacred things and institutions. if there is
nothing holy, and no disciplines or re-
straints are to be observed, except as
leisure or convenience dictate, where, in
the name of God and of all things de-
cent, are we ultimately to come? The
problem of our time is not economic or
racial. it is domestic and social. 1t is
not superficial, it cuts clear through to
the very footings of our boasted Chris
tian civilization"
Condition and Not Theory.
r'We are confronted,'' said the
bishop, with condition and not a
theory We will attempt to go for
ward as Nation with pagan ideals
(if such there be- and pagan prac-
tees, or we will go forward adher-
ing to Christian ideals-Christia
ideals and Christian principles,
whereon the fathers builded the Re-
public To say that the demands of
the hour are for more Liberty is to
say that all regulations and re-
straints, by whatever name we call
them, are superf1uous and unneces-
sary. To say that ours is an age that
calls FOR greater breadth and that
the old standards have no. place in
modern domestic and social life is to
abandon those safeguards that have
our security and guaran-
teed to us our peace in other periods
of our history"
He pointed out that many ARE en-
gagged in reforming the community
in which they live while their own
doorstep and hearthstone are un-
clean" And he charged that mel
ther wealth nor social position should
safeguard or excuse those who do
violence to the common decencies of
life"
eff the church." Bishop Freeman
said. has lost it's hold upon modern
life. if it's influence as a regenerative
agency in human society has been i'm
paired, It is due in no small part TO