THE PASSING OF HOME LIFE

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14836, 29 November 1913, Page 16

THE PASSING OF HOME LIFE

The Rev. Canon Forster, Sub-Dean I of All Saints' Cathedral (Bathurst), j was outspoken in the course of a recent j sermon on "the passing of tho home life." He remarked that King George has sounded the correct note when ho j stated that "the foundations of national glory, are set in the homes of the people," that "this foundation will remain unshaken while'the family life of this race is strong, simple, and pure." "Wo do not say all that we would like to say," added Canon Forster; "and we sometimes say things that mako the outlook very dark. But it nu'ght be quite true to say—probably it is—that we aro certainly not worse than other countries. Ido not- say that makes tho position any better, because we know that we are very far from uhat in our best moments we would wiih to be. The great question is, •What kirni-of men and women are wo tii.-r.in-.-. out?' ".' tin: not an alarmist by any means; I think there aro great point , ? —very great points—about the character of tho young Australian. .Hβ has courage, endurance, and fortitude, and, with training, might ranV among the finest soldiers- in the world. With all that given in, however, it does not need a red-hot social reformer to tell us that thero is something wrong. "We see around us the results, often sad and irreparable, of too much indulgence, too littlo solf-denying and self-restraint, and too (jreat an absorbing devotion to_ the fleeting-pleasures of life. There is a craving for pleasure and excitement that must be gratified at all costs. There is a variety of cheap amusements, for which people seem to have an infinite amount of money. All this tells very much against the influence of the home life, which, according to King George, is the utterly essential thing for the prosperity of a nation. In the face of all these facts, parents have to make a special effort to preserve this vital homo influence."