Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-28
SHOWS DIVORCES
HAVE INCREASED
SAYS SEPARATIONS HAVE
DOUBLED IN 10 MONTHS
BISHOP JOHNSON FRoWNs ON
TOO HASTY MARRIAGES
Declares American Fathers and Moth
ers Are Too Optimistic Regard
ing Children Until Too Late
to Prevent Downfall

1.-THE divorce record is appalling. Los
Angeles, while it has doubled in popu-
lation in eight years. the divorces have
doubled in eighteen months" said Rt.
Rev. Bishop Joseph Johnson, head of
the Episcopal diocese of Los Angeles. at
the meeting Of the Los Angeles Minis
terial union, yesterday in the audito-
rum of the Young Mems Christian as
sociation. His subject was Marriage
and Divorce"
Il regard marriage" said the bishop.
not merely as a civil contract. but as
a union OF two souls through mutual
pledges. l deem this union indissolu-
BILE, with one exception, for infidellty.
There are no issues today in the
United States greater than the mar
rlage and divorce problems. Marriage
should be regarded with more sanctity,
so divorce will not be snapped at as a
mere whim. This sanctity should be
thoroughly preached by the clergy.
THE breaking of the marriage bond
by the state practically means a second
marriage
"Mismated couples are sad objects,
ard those who marry too hastily should
be the only ones to suffer. The dis
grace should not be inflicted on their
children and the communities in which
they live. The children should be pro-
tected from disgrace. The parents are
often separated by affinities,' and the
little ones are scattered among strang-
ers.
But allowing free divorces increases
the bRl condition in the courts. We
are doomed to great disaster if this
cannot be corrected.
What can we do about it? First, we
must begin with the children and in
culcate principles of the sacredness OF
home and married life.
Parents Too Optimistic
"rhe average American fathers and
mothers are too optimistic regarding
their children. They think nothing will
| happen to their children until ii is too
late TO save them from downfall
"Truant officers inform us conditions
among children battle description, not
| only among the lower classes, but
among those of higher families, as
shown in Judge Wibur's court. These
are not from the high schools, but from
the grammar schools, on which our eyes
should be fixed.
I'VE should train the children to
make sacrifices which will strengthen
them against the evils surrounding
them. I think ii important we watch
over the young girls. The ungainly,
obnoxious billboards are a menace to
the youth and older persons as well. l
never pass one without a feeling that it
should be removed at once and thus
check its bad influence.
christian churches are often be-
guiled into bad methods Of raising mon
ey Last year the Associated Charities
had n scheme to raise money by work.
ing up tag day against which | pro-
tested strongly. Little girls and boys
were thrown in all manner of bad COM
pany and conditions among strangers in
Offering the tags for sale. This looked
bad to me, with the millions of money
i'm the banks with the rich bankers.
They should, as Christians, give of their
gains to change this state of affairs and
stop the tag days.
IF marriages were made more sacred,
divorces would be much less frequent
1t is not the fault of the judges for
they are merely carrying out the law.
We must have more effective divorce
laws"