The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-06
BOWIE DEFENDS
EUGEN|C PROGRAM.
Answers Critics of New Marriage
Restrictions Adopted by
Episcopal Church.
PROPERLY CHURCH FUNCTION
Rector of St. Pauls Believes
Plan Will Encourage
Clean Living.

In a st. Pauls fresh from the deco
rator afu moro stately than ever in its
new siories of white and gold Rev.
W.. RUSSELL Bowie last night addressed
large audience OF men on the sub
1ect. The Standard OF Purity for
Men," bringing to his sermon a strong
ueIense OF the new restrictions upon
tho performance of the marriage cere-
mony that two-thirds OF the Episcopal
ministers In tho city put into effect
last week
Mr.. Bowie told Of the origin of the
so-called eugenic marriage movement
at the Council of the Diocese OF Vir.
Ginia last May, and Of tho considcra-
ions that led thirteen minister's OF tho
Episcopal Church in Richmond TO act
upon the councils suggestion. In com
mon with the other twelve ministers,
he said. he intended to adhere to the
program mapped out without devia-
ton.
Replies to Criticism.
The minister devoted n considerable
portion OF his sermon to reply to
ihc criticism that has been offered
against the plan 1t has been sug-
gested, he said, that the church over
stepped its function in attempting to
regulate marriage. and that this was
properly matter for State legisla-
ton. To the criticism, he replied that
the church could properly interest it,
self In problem which Is based on
morality. and that there is no valid
reason for Its waiting for the state
to take tie Initiative
o the charge that the cost Of the
medical examination prescribed would
In many cases prove prohibitive, Mr.
Bowie replied with the testimony of
prominent physicians to the effect that
In most cases the cost OF the examina-
lion would be not more than 81 An
swering other objections criticiz ing the
plan on tho ground that it's enforce
ment would be EXCEPTIONALLY inqulsi-
torlal and humiliating. Mr.. Bowie said
that no man of sound moral principle
would regard Ii so. any more than he
would regard as humilating and in
quisitorial an examination for life in
surance.
VIII Not BE InfnIIible.
Nlr. Bowie conceded freely lfat the
pan VIII not prove infaflible. and that
percons Will find means OF evndinG it's
restrictions. 1t will do much. how
ever. he thought, to bring out unmis-
takably the position OF the church on
the double standard OF morality. BY
Withholding the ecclesia stical sanction
from marriages In which the groom is
not able to furnish a clean bill OF
health, the church, he said. will offer
a new incentive for clean living
The reform. said the preacher. has
been adopted by ministers OF the Epis-
copal Church in other cities In .Vir-
ginia, and bids fair to spread Mr..
Bowie spoke at length OF the under
lying theory of the rcform-the con-
viction Of NIL right thinking men that
morality is not an attribute of sex, and
That the same standards of living
should govern for men and women.
New Interior Decoration.
For the first time since the extern
sive system OF Improvement was be-
gun the congregation met yesterday in
the auditorium OF the church In the
decoration of the interior the Creek
effect has been carefully followed.
The whole auditorium has been re-
touched and rcdecorated, with gold and
white as the prevailing color arrange
ment.
The stucco on the outside OF the
building has been repaired wherever
needed. Old plumbing fixtures have
been removed and replaced with fix
lures of modern design. Decorating
is now in progress in choir. vcstry and
Sunday school rooms. 4 mosaic floor
for the inner chancel and a marble
rercdos. to conform to the altar given
by Mrs. Mcintosh, have been ordered.
and will be installed in the next few
weeks. The contract for painting the
outside of the church and the parish
house has been given. and this work
VIII be completed before November