The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-09

n EVER was there SO much desire in the
M hearts Of Een to do service for others
as to-day. Never was the Church
speaking in the note of the age-which is social
service-as she is today.
The great call Is for men Of statesmanship. as
we'll as conservation, to take up the questions
and problems. not only OF local needs. but.
ton wide in their Importance. questions which
involve the integrity OF the race, physical.
cial and moral.
Let us begin at the very foundation OF all
human life, the birth of the child. We are Civ.
ing much time and attention TO the question of
environment-what can be done to change liv-
ing conditions, economic and physical, how to
prevent the degeneracy of family life through
divorce-but we are giving little or no atten.
ton to the question Of heredity.
We protect our business with the greatest
care. If group of men desire to form q cor
poration they must permission from
the Legislature. If man desires to carry on a
municipal business he must generally secure
city license. Ii a man desires to carry on an
Insignificant street trade, the selling Of shoe
strings. the pushing OF a banana cart. or any
other small business, he must take to the City
Hall reputable citizen to vouch for his
spopsibility.
H. on the other hand, this same man desire,
10 get married, and we must agree that this Is
down to the City Hall alone and unknown He
may BIO an epileptic, degenerate the cursed
diseases Of the social evil may be coursing
through his blood. He places his name In the
wicket Of window, the name OF similarly TN.
known woman and they granted license
by the State 10 marry and TO propagate their
kind, and pass on to succeeding generations in
an Increasing geometrlc ratio the physical,
mental and moral deficiencies which they
possess.
ls there any wonder, therefore that we have
In our public institutions In these United States
to-day no less than three million abnormal PEG.
pie costing the nation $200,0o0.000 year for
their upkeep and care; and they are increasing
fur and beyond proportionately, the increases
I'll the population of the country.
1t does not matter. so far as the philosophy
of the movement Is concerned, whether we have
had one. fifty or no weddings at the Cathedral
IN Chicago since Easter, 'a19l2, when we took
the stand that thereafter We would marry no
persons unles they presented certificates signed
by reputa bic hysican that they had neither
incurable nor COZ. eunicable disease. What ia
OF Importance, however. Is the fact that move
ment Is now sweeping the country in which the
Church may we'll take her place. We are deal.
Ing primarily with moral question AS the
distinguished, cultured and effective social ser.
vice WORKER and layman OF this city points out
clearly In his book. The Church and Society"
the foundation of health is morals
During these past comparatively few month,
TO repeat again. since Easter. 1912-twenty.
one medical societies in national. State and local
conventions. representing, they do the most
intelligent thought Of the community TODAY I'm
connection with this subject. have passed reso
,utlons GAZING for State legislation, compelling
the applicant for license to produce a health
cerfincate before the license is issued The
legal profession has not been Indifferent Two
nanonal conventions or bar associations, havo