Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-14

q fair increase. If only those denom-
nations which report increase be in
cluded in the reckoning. the only fair
method. the percentage would be con-
larger-approaching per
cent. AS matter OF fact, $4,000 is
as the net increase Of bodie4
aggregating about 100000.
"Hsalth Marriages. More Frequent.
Dean Sumner. OF the Cathedral OF st.
Peter and Paul of Chicago. seems to
have fought and won his battle fer
eugenic marriages. It was little over
year ago that he closed the marriage
doors Of his church to all who did not
present themselves with health cer-
tifcate, covering both mental and
moral conditions. Slowly other clergy
men rallied to his banner. Bishop
Anderson. Of Chicago. we are told by
The Christian Work New York; ap.
proved the plan and issued an edict
similar to Dean Sumner's. Bishop Fall
lows. Of the Reformed Episcopal
Church, Chicago. and Bishop White
head. Of Pittsburgh, favored the
move, tho the former believed the
state should undertake the matter.
Dean Summers rules are rather COM
prehensive. yet after the first sub
scribers presented themselves on April
II the candidates for health marriages
have been increasingly frequent. Here
they are:
II. Both must have been baptized.
"2. Neither may have a divorced
husband or wife living.
80. Some one known to the oniciat
ing clergy must vouch for the identity
Of each.
-. They must bring at least two
persons who know them to act a. Wit
nesses of the ceremony.
IS. Each must present a certificate
properly signed by reputable physi-
clan to the effect that he or she has
neither an incurable nor commune
able disease and is mentally normal.
IS. Arrangements must be made at
least three days before the day APP
pointed for the ceremony, in order that
the banns may be published at three
public services at the church.
The argument that fewer marriages
would occur within the church that
adopted such rules is proved erron-
eous. says this editorial writer. by the
fact that twice as nlanJ marriages
have been performed by Dean Sumner
since the rules went into force as be-
fore. We read further:
ut is true that In some churches. AZ
a result of inability to obtain health
certificate, some trouble has arisen.
The campaign of education is one that
the Mount Morris Baptist church has
adopted as the best means OF SOWING
the good seed. Churches all over the
country are discussing and voting on
rho question. and there IL great en-
commencement in the interest being
taken.
"The first church in New York City
to adopt Dean Summers example was
the Fort Washington Reformed cnurch.
at Fort Washington and Eighty first
street. Of which DR.. Abraham J. Music
I. the pastor. 4 am glad said the pas
for. that this church has the honor OF
starting a movement in this city that
I. a,,re to be widespread. 1t Is III
keanin9 with the spirit Of the times
n win be only matter of short time
when the state legislature will pass a
hill covering the subject Young people
abont TO be married have a right to BIZ
protected by such q law. But the
greater right is that Of the children 70
be born Of such marriages.
DR.. Emil G. Hirsch points out in
Tha Reform Advocate (Chicago) that
the "sanitary" marriage has been OBJ
served in Jewry since time immemor-
ial. He says:
Jewish mothers see to 1t that their
daughters can enter the married state
WITH full confidence. The family physi-
clan has been consulted before mar
rage in many cases. With delicacy
nroner to the subject. but also without
nr,aerv parents and preachers in our
ciycles have co-operated toward BRING
ING about results which Dean Sumner
ie trying to attain In his ae.d ct 's.aa ~
ence.'