FORTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT. 163 



CUSS their problems and their successes together, where the amusements 

 could have a central pivot to revolve around and where more of the 

 old time home feeling could be promulgated. A point Avell taken wheu 

 to-dav in the hurrv and rush of life, we lose that close and valuable 

 intimacy between the inmates of the home, and when the boys and 

 girls and fathers and mothers as well, only too often, go outside the 

 home to find amusement. 



Another made a strong plea from the educational standpoint and 

 was she not right also? Tf education was filling its mission to man, 

 every boy and girl would receive that education that would fit them 

 for life. But see the millions of people that education has failed to 

 do that for. 



Orison Sweet jNIarden in his recent book ''Woman and Home," gives 

 utterance to a truth that I hope may be heeded by our educational 

 world. He says: ''Civilization needs schools of matrimony more than 

 it does schools of law, commerce or engineering. If we had marriage 

 schools under State and government supervision presided over by the 

 wisest experts obtainable the happiness of married life would be in- 

 creased immeasurably, and the divorces diminished incalculably. Only 

 those superbly fitted for marriage and scientifically prepared for it 

 would be allowed to enter this holy state. This may be a Utopian idea, 

 but does it not make one think of the eff'ort that should be begun and 

 directed towards more qualified requirements of men and women before 

 they enter the profession of home-makers. 



He also says: ''I believe the time will come when three certificates 

 will be demanded of every applicant for marriage — first, a health and 

 heritage certificate; second, a certificate showing that the bride has 

 been properly trained in the science of household management; third, 

 a certificate from the bridegroom showing that he has at least a fair 

 prospect of maintaining a family in respectable circumstances, so that 

 at the very outset of their married career the love of husband and wife 

 shall not be strained or killed by a grinding poverty which does not 

 allow even the necessities of life." Another Utopian idea, but a good 

 one which sooner or later in our civilization we will surely in a measure 

 take heed of. 



A number made the keynote of their remarks, companionship between 

 the two making the home as the greatest thing needed. This lack of 

 companionship in our homes may be attributed to the fact that men 

 and women do not have enough interests in common to make them real 

 companions. 



Another said : "The gi^eatest need is mothers." We all must ack- 

 nowledge that fact, but if it had been said, fathers and mothers then 

 it would have been better stated. The crying need of the homes of 

 today is fathers as well as mothers. We have too long assumed that 

 mothers hold the key to the knowledge of child rearing and that fathers 

 were not supposed to assume much responsibility or care of the child. 

 But without doubt in the home of the future fathers will be expected 

 to contribute some of their personality to the care and development 

 of their children. 



It was my pleasure to answer the question and I worded it thusly: 



