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P i n i venlesi mestoni tol weknow ol.. memarni!
THE DECLINE and FALL of the AMERICAN IDEAL? BY DR. SAMUEL H. SUTHERLAND PRESIDENT, BIOLA SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, INC.
G ib b o n , i n h i s h is t o r y , “ The Decline and Fall o f the Roman Empire,” emphasizes the fact that Rome fell, not because of the barbarian hordes pouring in from the North, but pri marily because o f the total moral decay from within the empire itself. Rome had conquered the then known world. Society had grown fat and affluent; work was considered beneath the dignity of the citizenry—only slaves worked; sensual and sexual orgies were the order of the day; one excess led to a greater until finally the debased life of the people knew no bounds and the tragic end was inevitable. Sociologists in our country today are saying “U.S. sex atti tudes are worse than they were in Rome.” One sociologist ques tions, “What is the future of sex in our country? More moral slumming, more breakdown o f the God-given relationship of male and female into an off-color sport, a titillating national amusement? Or will we grow up?” Growing up has been defined in effect as reaching adult attitude, being mature and healthy in our adjustments to life. But if this is what growing up means, alas, all too many o f our adults are still extremely adolescent, for it is the attitudes o f the mature young and middle-aged ! adults that are fashioning the low moral standards in our coun- 1 try today. It is the otherwise respectable younger married people j who belong to the notorious key clubs and other organizations of a similar nature; who are engaged in swapping wives and husbands for a brief period o f time; who are carrying on the social drinking program which is so prevalant in our affluent society today; who are attending and being influenced by the moving pictures designated “ for adults only” ; who are serving as a completely degrading example for the teen-age generation in our land. What can we expect among our teen-agers when such total promiscuity is evidenced on every hand, even among j the so-called respectable citizenry of the community and alas, to be found in some church circles also? Sometime ago, a certain house in Hollywood was raided by i the police. In it were some dozens o f teenagers carrying on an i utterly wild and disgraceful orgy of marijuana and heroin smok ing, drinking liquor and engaging in illicit love-making. In large measure, these were juveniles. They were herded off to the police station and about two or three o’clock in the morning when they were all processed, their parents were notified. The scene was one of utter chaos and confusion. Parents came down in what ever garments they could put on hastily. They evidenced complete shock, consummate anger and total bewilderment when they were confronted by the police and identified as the parents of the children. The community was mildly shocked at the disclosure of this shameful condition and this juvenile delinquency which was revealed by these youngsters o f apparently respectable parents. But some o f the youngsters “ spilled the beans” when they testified that they were merely emulating either what they i had seen or heard their parents talking about, or the condition
Rev. H. B. Bendy. The Presbyterian Journal
by Catherine F. Vos Revised by Marianne
Vos Radius Illustrated by Betty Beeby
This classic summary of the entire Bible in story form has been entirely revised by the daughter of the author. Retained is the fresh, vivid style, the reverent spirit and faithfulness to the Word of God... hallmarks of The Child's Story Bible for over 30 years. Added are over 50 original paintings— all coordinated with the text, maps keyed to the pictures, double column pages with clear print, short lines. All in a handsome but virtually indestructible binding. For children ages 3— 13 . . . a gift that needs no occasion. 436 pages, $6.50 IVc WM. B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING CO. Grand Rapids, Michigan 1-54 • At your bookseller s
THE KING'S BUSINESS
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