Heart and Soul | Page 7

much to-day from
what they were yesterday, and they differ so much in different circles
and even in different families, that their force and importance are not
very compelling. The authority of past customs has undergone a
process of confusion and weakening, much the same as parental
authority. There is less respect for it on the part of the new generation.
The same thing is true of traditions and public opinion. Traditions have
been modified and lost sight of in the new movement, and public
opinion on many questions is to-day so confused and indefinite as
hardly to exist.
Some people still think that divorce and re-marriage is shocking. Other
people thoroughly approve of divorce, and believe that when a
marriage has proved unsatisfactory and objectionable, it is right and

best to call it off and look for something better.
Some people think it wrong for young people to run to the
picture-shows and see baby vampires and demoralizing examples of
licence and misconduct; others are enthusiastic about the educational
value of the movies and encourage their children to go as often as they
like.
Some people disapprove violently of the way young people dance
together and of the present attitude of girls and boys toward one
another; while others accept it as a part of the new era of emancipation
and enlightenment which is all in the way of progress.
There is practically no real public opinion to-day on these, and many
other similar questions. A diversity of individual opinions and notions
has taken its place, which young people are more or less free to follow
or ignore, as circumstances may determine.
Yet it is not so long ago that public opinion in most communities was a
firmly established, vital force. It was generally recognized and carefully
respected by anybody, who wished to be considered respectable.
Certain acts, certain kinds of conduct, were considered immoral, or
shocking, or in bad taste and those who defied public opinion were
made to pay the penalty. They were given the cold shoulder, cut off the
visiting-list and made to feel the stigma of disapproval.
If a girl sneaked off alone with boys in the dark, or was caught smoking
cigarettes--if a married man was seen consorting with a divorcee--if a
woman drank highballs and gambled and broke up a happy home--if
any member of the community did any one of a number of things
which were considered improper, or unworthy, or immoral, or
dishonorable, public opinion was sternly in evidence, unquestioned and
unquestionable, to judge and to sentence.
Young people learned to take account of this consideration, just as their
mothers and fathers did. They grew up with respect for it. In the new
generation the thing itself has lost greatly in consistency and force, and
the young people see no reason to be much concerned about it.

In the fourth group, are included the laws and regulations of constituted
authorities. For the most part these find their chief representative in the
policeman, with the jail and law-court, as a background behind him.
About the only change in this influence lies in the mental attitude of the
average individual.
A generation ago, people who got arrested were usually thieves, or
drunkards, or crooks and criminals of some kind. To be a law-breaker
and in the clutches of the police was something that a reputable citizen
shuddered at. The police were the guardians of all good people,
majestic, respected and a little awe-inspiring.
Nowadays, people of all sorts and kinds are constantly getting into
trouble with the police, and getting arrested, and being hauled to court
and fined before the same bar of justice as the crooks and drunkards. It
is usually in connection with automobile driving. They are
law-breakers--they know it and are caught at it.
And since the prohibition laws have gone into effect, another crop of
law-breakers has sprung up on every hand. Deliberately and defiantly
they disregard the law and scoff at it.
In addition to this matter of the police, there is a growing tendency on
the part of the average person to question the worthiness and integrity
of officials and representatives of government, all along the line.
Aldermen, commissioners, mayors of cities--even senators of the
United States--are frequent objects of mistrust, of sneering disrespect.
Political scandals and corrupt deals in high places are commonplace
topics in any community.
So young people, looking about and absorbing ideas, under these
conditions, are inclined to have a lessened respect for constituted
authorities and the laws.
Above and beyond this, having a deeper significance and effects that
are more intimate and constant and far-reaching, is the change which
has been taking place in the influences of the fifth and last
group--Sunday school and church--the force of religion.

This is such a delicate subject, so