TOPICS FOR WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 11, 14 January 1933, Page 7

TOPICS FOR WOMEN

By M.H.C.

The Scheme of Things

An attack that appears at the outset to be rather an unjustifiable one has been niado .in the "Presbyterian Advance" by Mrs. Clara S. iAngle, in reference to "Mother's Day" which is so generally kept in America and in other parts of the world. However,-in reading all that is put forth it seems •that there is some justification for her adverse criticisms to the sentiment of the day. Quite a number of women feel that the celebration is to a large extent unnecessary. Those who have brought up their fa&ilies well, are blest i i their children and derive great happiness from them, feel that the day is superfluous from their point of view, for the home appreciation they get is all that is needed. ■ Mrs. Lingle looks upon the celebrations as "adula-tion,"-but this must bo her personal point of view; it is more than possible that many mothers are glad of the ceremonies which bring the necessity • for love and thought of mothers before the young ones. The 'old-fashioned idea of a sweetfaced old lady in a cap sitting by the £10 or in the sunshine knitting, with weary feelings about, the strenuous life sho has led is "up against" the realities, for the young-looking, vigorous mothers of to-day are usually capable, bright people, and averse to sentiment. A very sensible suggestion is made in the article quoted from as follows:— "Devote a Sunday in the year to the study of child life and the responsibilities of parenthood, and we will bo right ■with you." Tho feeling is also expressed that sermons on the duties of the young to the older people place a distance between them and prevent that feeling of being "pals" which is aimed at by so many mothers. "Finally," says Mrs. Lingle, "the- day has been commercialised until it is meaningless. 'A box of candy for mother' is advertised in one direction, gloves or a hat, handkerchiefs, and many more articles, with even suggestions for telegrams and ■what-not, all to the advantage of other people than the mothers." As a matter of fact, as is stated in the article, mothers treasure the letters and notes from their children' that are sent unasked or suggested far more than anything else that could be given, while birthday and other , anniversaries are Jhe 'intimate family occasions for the opportunity of thought on. tHe part of th© boys and girls. Mrs. Lingle urges that \t is not the part of the churches to demand of the children a devotion ■which does not "fit," but rather to help the mothers to point.out to them objects for worship that are far and away beyond each mother. The Boston "Evening Transcript" says: "The sentiment upon which the day is based is so strong that its observance is likely to be continued in spite of all objections. A statement of these objections ought to inspire right-minded people to exert all possible influence to keep the day as pure as its motive is exalted." The whole subject is difficult In that there is something to bo said on both sides. There "aro some families of * young people who need reminding of their duty to their parents, their

mothers in particular, for they are obsessed with self to a devastating degree. But this is a caso of reaction. They have lacked the control and decent training which would have made them both inoro loving and more loveable. It has been urged quite a number of times in this column that it iff both parents who need "talking to" when sad and even tragic conditions are disclosed of happenings among the young people, even when of school age. The parents are the responsible people, and it would, indeed, be a good thing if a "Parents' " Day were instituted and each church would make a general canvass to induce good attendances at morning and evening services, when the whole- duty of parents would be plainly set forth. They could have facts placed before them from the Year Books of their country, and they would be •asked to think where they/ had failed to mako their children unselfish, loving, clean-living people, ready to become first-class citizens of the future and to take their part in solving difficult world problems, prepared for them by the mistakes and narrow-mindedness of those who have passed or aro passing away. This would "appeal to commonsense, perhaps, more than the sentiment of a day which, although possessing the germ of a beautiful idea, is not so practically useful as.it might bo. Old-fashioned people know that v the word "good-bye" ig a contraction or corruption of the old-world farewell, "God bo with you." The writer of the "Scheme of Things" for, soiuo fourteen years is going to say "good-bye" in the old-fashioned form for a few months. It is intended to fare forth to visit some countries in the older parts of the world; to seek adventure, -in a sense, although E-. L. Stevenson says that adventure comes to those who do not seek, and such is waiting all along the> roadway of life. It may bo so. Ho was a man of experience, but, it seems, when looking across the world, as if there aro many things to be seen and to bo done, which are all adventuro to those who have lived in this faroff and peaceful group of islands on the outskirts of the world. So tho hope is that a wider knowledge and experience of things may in time be of great interest and service- to those who have read this column, and who by word, by message, or by letter, have said so many helpful and encouraging things to the writer. It has been a great joy and an immense help to roceive the generous appreciation which has been given, and the many friends are thanked accordingly. Not many people realise the difficulties that lie in the pathway of a writer. To be kind, to be true, to be wise, to be interesting—all these things are necessay, and those who have given, the assurance that these qualities have been met generally have done their part toward the common good. Therefore, "Adieu," "Auf wiederschen," "Good'oyc," and "until we meet again"—perhaps the best of all—all these national farewells have their own beauty, and can be used to express tho grateful and appreciative feelings of the writer to the many friendly readers.