Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-21
General Apathy On Sub
ject Denounced by Pres
byterian Committee.
STRICTER LAWS URGED
Ministers Are Asked to Cooper
ate With Other Churches in
Securing Remedy.

Chicago. Ill, May 21-"One out of
eleven marriages in this country ends
in divorce. The highest divorce rate
in any country is in Japan. The next
highest is in the United States. This
situation is a disgrace to America" So
saying the report of the committee on
marriage and divorce made to the Pres
byterian general assembly in session
here opened with an emphatic denun-
citation OF apathy on this subject and
declared that the time was ripe for ac-
ton and not words.
Certainly no earnest man can be
quiet and satisfied under such condi-
tions," the report read. mo doubt
some will say that we must call a
conference, pass resolutions and organ
ize new society. Such proposals only
add a new aggravation. Full publicity
has been given. Resolutions have been
passed. Congress and conferences |
composed of the highest abilities have |
been called and have issued their find
ings and advice. Surely. nothing more |
is needed in the way of action and re- |
suits. The two legal bodies provided |
for no executive agency to carry their |
plans into effect.
For Improved Laws.
Now we should act The Presby-
terian church is IN a position to take
steps for an advance. 1t has in its
confession OF faith chapter on mar I
riage and divorce. The synods and
presbyteries are closely related in all
the states to legislatures that should (
now be approached with definite pro-
posals for reform. Our ministers and
elders might easily invite the coopera-
ton of their brethren in other denom-
nations. and together might hope to
secure the passage OF improved laws
on this behalf.
"The committee would hereby rec
ommend that this general assembly ap-
prove of the following particulars as
desirable for incorporation in an i'm
proved state code or new law on mar
riage and divorce:
"The requirement OF a residence of
at least two years in the state where
the application for divorce is to be en-
tered
The requirement of a period of at
east one year after the granting OF
decree, before the same shall take
effect.
The following proviso concerning
evasion of law as 10 marriage and di- !,
yorce, to-wit: :
To Prevent Evasions. h
THAT if any person or persons be- II
ng resident OF this state shall go into h
mother state or country with intent to h
wade or violate any of the laws of s
his state pertaining to marriage or il
ivorce, and there contract a marriage il
II obtain a divorce. prohibited by the
aid laws of this state, and then re-
urn to this state, such marriage or
uch divorce shall be null and void for b
II purposes in this state. with the il
ame effect as though such prohibited G
marriage or divorce had been entered F
1to in this state" b
The committee called attention to n
he fact that none of its suggestions n
ad to do with offering TO promote any tC
sgislation on the matter of uniform
auses for divorce.
Efforts to have the bible read daily
/ the public schools of the United
tates will be pressed strongly by the v
lliance of reformed churches in W
merica holding the Presbyterian sys- Ia
I'm, according to resolutions offered p
,r acceptance by the Presbyterian
eneral assembly. q
Systematic Religious Training. K
Religious training in our public =
:hools, so planned as to avoid the
olation in any way of our cherished
rinciples OF the separation of church
Id state. should be systematic and
declared the preamble. ~
This council calls upon the church -
to investigate the subject ~
lily with a view TO devising some
ethod OF averting the sad results of -
-esent inefficiency IN moral and re-
zious training"
The resolution read: To-
"The word OF God is the charter OF
e spiritual and civil rights of man.
abundantly illustrated in the history
Id institutions of this country. Per
stent efforts are being made to ex-
ude the bible from use in the public nj
hools. IL is ordered that use be made T
every proper means in maintaining r.
q word OF God as an essential ele- OF
snt In the education and training or th
Of en-