Life, 1906-01-18 · page 12 of 28
Life — January 18, 1906 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical page from *Life* magazine contains several unrelated humor pieces mocking early-20th-century social situations. **Top cartoon** ("A Progressive Church"): Depicts a large, ornate vehicle packed with people, satirizing modern churches that have become entertainment spectacles rather than spiritual institutions. The "progressive" label suggests criticism of churches abandoning traditional piety for trendy, commercialized attractions. **Text pieces** include: - "The Little Christian": A sentimental poem about childhood innocence corrupted - "Mortifying": Jokes about social embarrassment - "Too Bad": A domestic humor exchange about kissing - "First Millionaire": A brief comic exchange about a poorly-functioning machine - "Postponed": A joke about an embarrassed couple on public transport The overall theme mocks both institutional hypocrisy and everyday social awkwardness of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Little Christian. E trembled in the morning, TE At noon he was afraid, And heavy on his heart at night The hand of fear was laid. A presence walked beside him Of horror and of fright— A shadow in the sunsh A menace in the night. And this that dragged his childhood, This thing of scourge and rod, They gave him as a priceless gift, And bade him call it God. They made for him a fear that killed The child-joy in his breast ; ‘They made for him a shape of dread And bade him love it best. Oh Mild, Oh Just, Oh Merciful ! What then shall be their shame, These souls who teach a little child To shudder at Thy name! Theodosia Garrison. IRST MILLIONAIRE: your machine working? Srconp MILLIONAIRE: Very poorly. Haven't paida fine for over three days. How is A PROGRESSIVE CHURCH. Mortifying. HERE are a few solvent and re- spectable persons left in the country who have not yet been inves- ted, It begins to be embarrassing a high soul not to have been found are We all miserable sinners. The pray To have from a third to a half of our friends caught in some of their sins while ours continue private is conducive to self- contempt. It would be fairer to serve suit of sackcloth apiece, and ring in a general confession. us out one Postponed. BASHFUL young couple, who were evidently very much in love, entered a crowded street car in Boston the other day. ‘*Do you sup- pose we can squeeze in here?" he asked, looking doubtfully at her blush- ing face “Don't you think, dear, we had better wait until we get home?" was the low embarrassed reply. Too Bad. CARA: Iwas so confused that I don’t remember just how much he kissed me. . Mavp: What! With the thing going on right under your nose ! FLED VOICE (under the ma- y, Bill, back her upa little, will yer ? Bitt : What's the matter ? ” My face is caught in the wor “WHAT KIND OF A FLOWER 1S THAT YOU'RE WEARING 7” “COLLIE-FLOWER, OF COURSE.”