SPOONING PARLOURS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1862, 23 September 1913, Page 2

SPOONING PARLOURS.

INAUGURATED BY A MINISTER. "The spooning parlour" now ranks as America's latest social innovation. It has been started in New York by tho Rev. John Gunn, a Baptist minister, to combat the dcmon.of loneliness, to which young peoplo in lodgings so often fall a prey, and is favourably received by ministers of all denominations. "Lot us call things bv their right names," s,iys Mr. Ounn, "and tho spooning parlour exactly describes our now enterprise. There are countless numbers ot working girls living in furnished rooms who cannot receive young tneli. They aro entitled to have some place where they may enjoy the-advan-tages that help their moro fortunate sisters to happy wifehood. Tho Churcli baptises the infant, confirms the young,' ,wcds men and women, 4iid performs the last ritos over tho dead! 'There is no reason wby.it should not take Tip this other 'important office"for -ht/ifoanity."'": No, indeed, replies American , public opinion, and henceforth several of tho leading religious organisations in Now York City, with affiliated'branches in other parts of tlie country, will establish tho "spooning' parlour" on the samo lines aB that developed by Mr. Gunn, who says he has given long thought to tho project. _ Two largo Tooms, with a wide opening between them, in tho rear of the meeting hall of tho church, aro the "spooning parlours." Theso aro comfortably furnished. There is a cliapcrono always within call. There is a piano also to stir sentiment, and twice a week moving pictures. "How to get a husband and how to keep him," and "How to get a wife and how to keep li'ov," are tho subjects of a series of sermons which Mr. Gunn has been preaching, with gratifying success. Ho says there is no need for a sermon on "How to bo. happy , though single,' because there is no such thing. Whenever possible, tho pastor s wife will be tho president of tho'''spooning parlour," and aid in chaperoning. The inauguration of America's latest aid to matrimony took placo recently with wonderful success. Mrs. Gunn, a charming vocalist, 'sang appropriate verse, including "Annie Laurie," "Every Lassie Has Her Laddie," and finally "Hero Comes -the Bride," the latter being enthusiastica'ly encorcd. ■