THE SOCIAL CANCER.

TO TOT? EDITOn OF TUB iItXSS. Sir, —After reading various letters to your paper ou the above subject. I am struck with the utter absence of anything like an attempt to grapple with the real cause of illegitimacy. Yvnat is the use of punishing the ettects and results of vice when no attempt is made to restrain the originators of it? Narrow the case down to facts, and we find, men will have immorality. Men not only insist on vice, but- legislate in order to make the practice safe. It ia men who create the demand, and demand creates supply. Men are the stronger and pursuing sex. How then is it possible that anything like re'orm can be brought about by the means of rescue and maternity homes." The real reform can only lie. for the greater part, with the men themselves, and the present unequal *tundurd of legal and social law in this respect ha* much to do with the laxity of men's morals. But they euy, "iieu cannot be made moral by Acts of Parliament." Just so, but it is to hi? remembered that law is concrete public opinion, and public opinion is more to thousands of men than religion.

Society's law. which is not founded on moral law. places all the blame for the present state of things on the women. .Society's arguments on the subject are ridiculous in their conclusions, and monstrous in their injustice. Society says, because men are the stronger in body and will power, therefor women shall be blamed because they are less capable by nature of resistance. Because a woman ha? made a false step, and is down, keep her down, do not on any account receive her again. Because a woman loves a man better than herself, and seeks in him her natural protector, a man is quite justified in taking advantage of these conditions in any way he likes.

But society hits utterly forgotten an incident in which a woman taken in adultery was brought before Christ, when on account of the sin of the accusers, Incarnate justice gave the verdict. "Neither do I contemn thee." Doc, this condone women's sin? Not for one momqnt, but it does condemn men's on exactly the same tooting. But there are signs that public opinion is being stirred about male morarity. At a Lambeth Conference some sessions ago was passed this resolution (or words to that effect). Man being the stronger sex, and chief originator in these sins, on him should the greatest blame rest. Equality in divorce, which makes punishable unfaithfulness of husbands, is a most hopeful sign of a. desire for improvement on the part of men.

mo be understood. I do not say that women are not to ba blamed for their immorality, but I do maintain that a nation of pure women conld not prevent thitt evil, unless men exercised self-control. Morals have been in the hands of men from the beginning, and are so now in Eastern countries. But morals are progressive. The moraJitv of Solomon was not that of to-day, nor will the morality of to-day be that of the future. Little, however, can be done in the cans* of morality when young men ; do not tMnk themselves roanly (unless immoral. And when the nice-minded gill i» neglected as a bore and bread-and-butter miss, and all the attention is given to the slangy girl who spices her conversation with "double entendre." Oh, men, men, what have yon doi>e with the word Fatherhood? Is it "nothing that your little sons and daughters shall never know your care, nor your help and guidance in theft- growing year*. The sparrow upon the house top put. you to shame, for he at least provides for and protects those of bi» own begetting. Too often we see In print of fathers being nnabfe to control their young children. There is too great a tendency to thrust all responsibility upon the mothers nowadays. There are mothers' onions and meetings by the dozen, when will the fathers realise that something also is required of them?

What then can be done to remedy all this? Much, both by men and women. Let women of Society refuse to entertain men of bad character. Let th? clubs exercise tbe- same discipline. Let the "white" men oi our community work among the other men in the cause of purity. Make it compulsory for the fathers of illegitimate children to become personally responsible for the same. It is. only by restriction of the individual that the liWty of the masses ca_t be assured. And kt the education system be very, much enlarged. Children need religion* instruction and technical education. 1 _rge the last becattse youngpeople need some occupation for their spare time. Children should be encouraged to hava hobbies, especially when they have an iniellectoar tendency. Let them learn woodcarving, photography, fretwork, jtoultrykeeping, gardening, anything that will absorb their minds, leisure, and their spare pocket raonuy. There should be an industrial exhibition, supported! by OovernißeHt. held at least every two years, in. which young people cmdtt estiabit and compete. Then, perhaps, they Witt get a peep in. to th*hig_*i thoughts of life, and assuredly they wilt not ba diaappoißted.—Yo_r», etc.,