The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-29
New Church Rule Re-
garding Marriage Eff
fective This Week.
TWELVE RECTORS
SIGN AGREEMENT
Assurances Given by More Than
100 Physicians That They Will
Cooperate With Episcopal
Clergy in Fight for
Clean Health and
Morals.

Beginning on Wednesday, twelve
Episcopal ministers Will put into erect
an agreement adopted In June bind
Ing themselves not to perform the
marriage ceremony until the groom's
good health Is certified to by the
BRIDES physician. On January 1. they
will be Joined by Rev. W. Meade
Clark. D. D., rector of st. James. who
signed the agreement with the proviso
that 1t shall not become effective as
regards his church until the first OF
the year
The reform follows n recommends
ton adopted by the Episcopal Diocesan
Council OF Virginia last spring. de-
claring it to be desirable for the sake
OF the protection of women. and for
the sake OF higher appeal to men,
that the ministers of that denomina-
ton begin in their various communi-
ties the enforcement OF the rule as
rapidly as they can secure such CO.
operation from the physicians or their
communities. as shall satisfy them that
their position Will be effective
Endorsed by Local PhysIcinns.
Without having made an organized
effort TO secure complete expression
V.
have assurances from more than lOC
OF the most prominent members OF the
profession IN Richmond that they are
heartily in favor of the movement"
said Rev. w Russell Bowie rector or
st. Paufs Episcopal Church. yesterday
Mr. Eowie has taken a prominent part
in launching the local movement
Before deciding to put the rule into
effect" said MIR. Bowie. I'VE conferred
W Nl,, Sci,
could conveniently reach. Five or six
papers were circulated among them
with the result that more than 100
signatures We're secured. The names
include some of the best known prac-
titioners in Richmcnd. This does No,
mean that only 100 physicians in the
city support us. If complete canvas.
were made. am of the opinion that n
large majority would indorse the re-
form"
Those Who Signed.
The ministers who Will on Wcdnes-
day put the so-called "eugenic mar
riage" rule into effect are Rcverends
w. Russell Bowie, st. Paufs, S. Roger
Tyler. st. Marks; James w. Norris, -
D.. Monumental; Frank A. Ridout. ST
Thomas's: r. Ernest Warren, Meade
Memorial: ]. Lewis Gibbs. Church or
the Good Shepherd: NJ. 5. Eagle.
Chris;s: \. Vaughan CoIston. Church
of the Holy Comforter: Ernest Earle
Osgood, Emmanuel: William a. Pear
man. assistant at st. Paurs: Zebuion )
Farland. 81. stephens, and G. p. Craig
hill, Epiphany. DIR. Clark. rector or
st. James. signed the agreement to he
effective, as applied to his church. on
January l, 1914.
Mr.. Bowie said yesterday that as far
as he knew. Richmond was the first
IL,
the Episcopal ministers have acted up
on the suggestion of the diocesan
council. The reform, he thought, is
certain to make headway under the
impetus Of Richmond's experience.
The reform ut present lacks unanl-
nous support in the local Episcopsi
ministry. The agreement was signed
or June % by thirteen cIergymcn, but
seven ministers declined to join in the
movement. In n public statement is
sued on July Z, the dissenters asserted
that the proposed rule was h"miliat~
ing and inquistorial, and til it was
without sanction by church or state.
Text of Resolution.
The text of the resolution adopted
by the thirteen Episcopal ministers on
June 90. follows:
I'VE. whose names are signed below.
holding the ideal of purity to be of
right as sovereign for men as it is for
women.
"Rccognizing that the finest men in
every rank and calling honor this ideal.
but deeply moved by the contrasting
fact of that ignoble tolerance among
too many (which ignores this single
standard. and condones in men IL care
lessness in morals which every chival-
rouS instinct should condemn;
Knowing that immortality in men
leads TO physical diseases;
And knowing, further, that these
diseases are often transmitted to tho
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,
as in other places, will testify. give
proof;
Therefore. in order that we may
cal tragedies, and, further, that we
may lift up the standard of new
crusade against the shame of an In
difference to personal purity among
men which makes these tragedies pos
sible;
I'VE are resolved that after October
1, 1913 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, II certificate OF his
freedom from IL communicable disease
Of an immoral origin.
And we call upon all fathers and
mothers to interpret Alright and to sup
port this position wo shall occupy: and
especially do we summon all that great
number OF men to whom, because of
their pure lives. tho requirement we
have outlined might seem n needless
Inconvenience. to bring the power OF
their unselfish cooperation to the side
OF this endeavor to mako more COM
rianding the ideal of purity for ALL"
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