p. 2 | Who Is Responsible?

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 7, 1886

Who Is Responsible?

SCARCELY a day passes without bringing telegraphic reports of one or more runaway matches or startling elopements, and so frequent have these occurrences become that hardly any attention is given to them above the mere reading of the announcement. And yet their alarming frequency should compel thinking people to ponder on the cause, and point out a remedy for this deplorable state of affairs. The Christian Ledger partially places the responsibility when it says that the elopements are “the evidences of a defective home life. There are sons without sense and daughters without dutifulness. A combination of untoward circumstances may sometimes annul the best training. But a true home life is the defense of society and the safeguard of the young. Not contention, nor railing, nor hard and fast rules, but obedience inculcated early and becoming spontaneous at length, joined with reasonableness, with affectionate interest, and with confidence, are the conditions of such a home life. Too much absorption in business on one side, and in display on the other, have to answer for a great harvest of domestic sorrow.”—Work at Home.