Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-15

Dr. I, b. Wilmer, Rector of st. Lukes
Episcopal Church, of Atlanta-love
and tdealism. And the church, he
says, may we'll find a mission in
planting the seeds of idealism, thus
helping to promote desirable matches.
certainly the church, without
running any risks whatever, can and
should sow in the minds of the young
the seeds of high ideals in this mat
ter of marriage" said DR.. Wilmer.
yesterday. 81 look with more than
suspicion upon a science of eugenics
which would undertake to put Cupid
out OF business and arrange mar
riages on supposedly scientific
basis, as if people were only a sort
of blue blooded cattle"
This at the end of an hours dis
eussion Of a proposition by R. Fulton
Cutting, of New York, a prominent
Episcopal layman, that the church
begin campaign to foster mar
rsages, bringing young people to-
gether, teaching them the holiness Of
the institution. and endeavoring to
qualify them by practical instruction
Tor the duties Of matrimony.
MT Cuttings proposal embodied IN
the report Of the Social Service Com
mission Of the New York Diocese. has
gone out to many Episcopal clergy.
men, and has struck a spark of in
terest everywhere.
More Marriages Necessary.
me card by Mr.. Cutting. which
a"oKe the discussion yesterday =
IN part as follows:
The number of unmarried mar
ana women is too large. Canpot
the Episcopal Church contribute
10. diminish It?
Is my belief that this church
should address itself to the fast
aay not this church intelligentlv
anu persuasively present to young
,.t t ana young women the I'm
portance Of matrimony and Al
the same time adopt measures N
quallIy them for married Iife7
the church were doing IT'S
Vuty IN TINS training might II NOT
De Jusufled in providing oppor-
tuniues Tor young people TO be-
come acquainted with one anoth-
er, and without entering upon the
making, at least encourage the
n0fSlly healthful association OF
Fiftuous young men and women
A practical pursuit Of such q
campaign would include the circu-
lsuon or Instructive publications
ueal!ng with all subjects that IL
understood and practiced would
go TO make domestic life hapnv
Inc information might not in
crude sex: That should hardly be
attempted save by parents. That
carefully selected literature
should be provided by the church
Tor parental use, and its reading
s shq stuqy recommended, l am
Tully persuaded.
The church should directly
each its maturing girls and boys
le wisdom of well considered
marriage when undertaken as a
DIVINE ordinance. II should pro-
vice instructions in the ethics OF
marriage, its obligations, respon-
sioilltles and privileges, and In
Inc practice Of domestic economy.
NO doubt there are respected
women in every church who can
give the best advice in the prin-
ciples OF married life. Our bows
need to have kindled in them a
chiyalrous respect for women and
70 be taught to idealize a wife.
AA+Dt must UC Taught NOW mUCn
the realization Of the dream of
domestic happiness depends upon
the recognition of their own re-
sponsibility for it.
DR.. Wilmer agreed with the general
proposition that the church should
find function in all this
t Practical Relation Needed.
AS the aim and object Of the
Christian Church is to bringing in
Of the Kingdom OF G upon earth"
he said, anything that affects mar
rage must be within the scope Of
the church's work. Not necessarily.
that the church should undertake the
entire control of such matters. but It
must sustain some practical rela-
ton 10 them
Marriage is the divinely ordained
method for the continuance Of the
human race upon earth. Marriage
is also the foundation Of human So
ciety. If evolution. a applied TO the
development Of the human race, has
shown anything. it has shown that
the family and not the isolated in
dtVidual is the proper unit Of society.
In the placing of the family upon Sc
cure foundations. the church and the
State have common ground, at least
their work here comes together.
Undoubtedly thousands upon thou
sands Of persons are mated every
year who never ought 10 have been
married TO each other. and some OF
them not married az all. Vice, too.
means the perversion 10 diabolical
ends Of powers that were meant for
the high end Of propagating and
training the human race. Not only
thar. but vice means, in many cases.
that the health Of women is wrecked
and the lives OF innocent children