THE SINS OF SOCIETY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XVI, 21 April 1894, Page 361

THE SINS OF SOCIETY.

It would be easy to name women, prominent in society by virtue of their beauty, talent, moral purity, and force of character, who have been powers for good in their time, in' centives to virtuous and noble living, respected by men and acceptable to God, writes the Rev. Morgan Dix in a vigorous article on ‘ The Society Woman of To-day,’ in the Ladies' Home Journal. It would be equally easy to mention others who, notwithstanding their gifts, have done much more harm than good ; handsome, rich, brilliant, generous of heart, but lax in their sense of moral obligation, indiscreet in conduct, tolerant of evil, indifferent to social scandals, they demoralise by their example. One obvious sign of this demoralisation is afforded by the readiness of the community to overlook the sins of women whom it admires. There must be something wrong when we are prompt to forgive in a beautiful and witty woman what we would not forgive in a plain and dull one. And what is true of the leaders of society is true of society in general. The entire community has an interest in ‘ society,’ and is warranted in looking to it for help and good offices. Let * society ’ recognise the fact and meet its obligations. Let those who lead it consider their responsibility and make it their aim to keep themselves pure, to set an example of honourable and decent living, and to put to good use tbe privileges which they enjoy.