The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-24
Thirteen Ministers of
Episcopal Church Sign
Marriage Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
MADE BY COUNCIL
After October l Grooms Must
Have Physicians Certificate.
Clergymen of Other Denomi-
nations in Sympathy With
Movement, but Wait Ac-
ton of Conferences.

lhirteen ministers of the Episcopal
Church in Richmond publicly signed
their names yesterday to an agree
nent not 10 perform any marriage
ceremony after October / un-il the
groom has been certified by the fam
ny physician OF the bride to be free
from disease OF immoral origin
This agreement was brought be-
fore the Ministerial Union some
months ago. after recommendation
10 the same effect had been made by
the Episcopal Diocesan Council L;pis-
ooPal ministers who promoted the
idea. desired the corporation OF
other denominations before publicly
indorsing 1t. Will. no minister OF
any other denomination has made pub
lie the fact that he has signed the
agreement, II Is stated that minis-
ters Of practically every other de-
nomination in Richmond. have done
SO. and have asked that their names
not be made public until the action
has been ratified BY the local confer
ences OF their respective churches
Therefore, feeling that they have the
moral support OF the other churches.
the Episcopal clerGymen have taken
steps TO put the recommendation of
tho Diocesan Council into effect
Seven Episcopal ministers have re-
eral ministers OF other denominations
have spoken against IL in meetings OF
the Ministerial Union. but those who
have promoted thu movement feel
that the sentiment in favor OF IL is
oycrwhelminsly strong. and that the
opposition Will probably yield in time.
The Agreement.
The agreement adopted and signed
by the Richmond clrrgymcn is as fol-
lows:
We whose names are signed be-
low, holding the ideal uf purity 10 be
81 right as sovereign fo,s men. ,as-it
Is for women.
Recognizing that the finest men in
every rank and calling honor this
ideal, but deeply moved BY the con
,rastinS fact Of that ignoble tolerance
among too many which ignores this
single standard. aud condoues in men
carelossness in morals which every
chivalrous instinct should condemn.
KNOWN that immortality among
men lcac physical diseases:
And hno ing. further. that these
diseases are often transmitted TO the
women. who. in Innocence and purity,
marry men whose lives have thus
been tainted. as the shocking facts TO
which physicians and surgeons in this
city. city, & as in other places wiz testify,
give proof
Therefore, in order thatlw may
do our utmost TO prevent these physi-
cal tragedies and. further. that We
may lift up the standard of a new
crusade against the shame of that in
difference 10 personal purity among
men which makes these tragedies pos
sble
We are resolved that after October
!. 1919 We Will perform the--marriaGe
services OF our respective churches
only when the man TO be married shall
have secured from the family physician
OF his intended bride, or from some
other physician certified to by the
brides physician, a certificate Of his
freedom from a communicable disease
oil immoral origin.
"And we call upon all fathers and
mothers to interpret Alright and to
support this position we shall occupy
and especially do we summon all that
fCoptipuRd IN Secnpd