Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-25
DIVORCE STATISTICS.
Commissioner Wright Sends DR.. Nc
Allister Advance Figures.
THE UNIONS RECORD FOR 20 YEARS
In That Time 0ne-Third of Million We're
Granted in the States.
WORK OF NATIONAL REFORM PEOPLE

"Perils From Our Marriage and Divorce
Laws was the subject of the address deliv-
cred yesterday afternoon by Rev. DR.. David
McAllister before large congregation in
the Eighth Street Reformed Presbyterian
Church. DR.. McAllister said that his ad-
dress was delivered at the request of the Ma
tional Reform Association, which had sent
out petition to every pastor in the United
States, asking each one to preach sermon
on the question of marriage and divorce. He
chose as his text the ninth verse of the nine
teenth chapter of Matthew. He considered,
first, the peril to the nation and to society;
second, the roots of the evil, and, third, the
cure.
The peril, he said, was manifest from the
statistics. The National Reform Associa-
tion had secured advance sheets from the
report soon to be published by Carroll d.
Wright, Commissioner of Labor. By Con-
gressional direction Mr.. Wright has inYes-
tigated the divorce matter. and has collected
statistics on the subject, from all the States
in the Union, for 20 years, from 1866 to 1886
inclusive. Some of these figures had been
sent to DR.. MeAllister, and he quoted from
them. During the 20 years one-third of
million divorces were granted in the nlted
States. In that time the increase of popu-
lation was 66 per cent and the increase OF
divorces 156 per cent. There has been, in.
nearly every State, an almost constant In
crease of divorces from year to year. South
Carolina is an exception. All divorce laws
have been repealed there, and divorce can
not be obtained. In Pennsylvania, in the
two decades, there have been over 10000
divorces, there being !, 156 in 1886. In Ohio
there were 26, ,367, and in Illinois, which
carries off the palm, 36,072.
"Jesus says" the preacher continued,
"that there is but one ground of divorce.
In the States of the Union the causes of di-
vorce are multitudinous, varying from 6 to
16 in the different States. Some have an
omnibus clause, which allows the dissolu-
ton of the marriage relation for anything
esteemed a gross wrong. The family is the
unit of society and of the church and of the
State
CHILDREN ARE SPOILED.
''The family is in danger of being COM
pletelv overturned. What must be the dif-
ference between family held together by
the love of Christ, where the children are
brought up in the Lord, and another FAM
ily where there is a divorce, while the
children are young and they are separated
from one parent or the other. How can you
expect the child to grow up with such edu-
cation and instruction as to fit it for the
duties of citizenship? Our present divorce
laws lead to practical polygamy. Gail
Hamilton spoke with truth when she said
to a much divorced politician in Washing
ton: 'Mr. Cannon, of Utah, drives his team
abreast, while you drive yours tandem
"What are the causes? First comes the
multiplicity of divorce laws There are no
less than 46 different sets of laws on the sub
h 4
only is recognized. A man who cannot Sc
cure divorce in one State may get it in an
other. Can you expect a strong moral
growth in a combination of Commonwealths
where there is such diversity and looseness
in legislating on so great moral question?
Back of the diversity of laws lies this fact:
The literature and amusements of the coun-
try tend to weaken the marital vow. trust
that none of you viii go to see the modern
dramas to learn how evil they are. You
can tell their nature from the printed plays.
charge that the dramas presented in the
United States show an utter disre-
gard for the saeredness of the mar
riage tie. In the plays of the
day, which receive so large attendance
and so much applause, the marital relation
is regarded as of little account, and nine
times out of ten the situation hinges upon
recklessness of the marriage vows. This is
also largely true of the current light litera-
ture, found in every railway station. Who
are the authors of these books but those deal
ing in these frivolities of fashionable life,
where the marriage tie is but as a spider
web. to be broken at pleasure? You do not
need to go to the depth of Zols, to the
scavengers of society; but those held in re-
pute serve up for the public just such novels
as degrade the marriage relation. Ali
through the community this deadly virus Is
at work.
FAMILY LAWS UNDERSTOOD.
''The lack of instruction with regard to
the institution of the family is another and
a serious cause The law OF the family it.
Self must be we'll understood if you are to
secure those beneficial results to society and
the church which arise from the perfect
family institution. Multitudes enter into
the marriage state without understanding
its duties and sacred obligations, without
understanding one another. True affection
is often not so much regarded as circum.
stances of social position or wealth. How
this institution has been degraded
How little importance is attached
to this momentous relation even
on the part of parents seeking mates for
their childreni The main thing for us to
consider is the cure. In the first place there
must be the inculcation of what the Savior
has laid down as the law of the family rela-
tionship. While have often spoken of the
evils OF Romanism, must say that the
Roman Church deserves commendation for
its position as to the indisSolubility of the
marriage tie. In that particular that church
has done a good work in our land, The
Protestant churches should take the same
position. Ministers have something to do.
I have refused to marry divorced persons.
'fThere needs to be a national divorce law.
enacted by Congress, paramount throughout
the country. The interest is certainly
national. We need toning up of public
sentiment in respect to our literature and
amusements. Those who have regard for
the family relationship ought to discount
enance such representations as are made in
the theaters, and ought not to buy pernicious
Literature.
'To nv young friends want to saw:
Whenever this subject comes before your
mind, think of the marriage relation as one
to be formed in the Lord. Avoid companion
ships that would lead you to take anv other
view. Resolve, by the grace of God, that
when you form this tie you will form it with
one who fears God. If you enter into this
relation in any other spirit YOU will bring
trouble to yourself and to your home Mar
riage is not merely civil contract; 1t is a
divine ordinance"
HORsFORD's ACID PHOSPHATE