Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-05-26
CHURCH PROPOSES
REMEDY FOR THE
DIVORCE PROBLEM
Plans Submitted in Report
of Committee on Christian
Life to Presbyterian Gen
eral Assembly.

Chicago, May 26.-"One out OF eleven
marriages in this country ends In d.
vorce The highest divorce rate in any
country is in Japan. The next highest
is in the United States. This situation
is disgrace to America" So saying
the report of the committee on mar
riage and divorce made to the Presby-
terrain general assembly in session here
opened with an emphatic denunciation
of apathy on this subject and declared
that the time was ripe for action and
not words.
Certainly no earnest man can be
quiet and satisfied under such condi-
TONS" the report read mo doubt,
some will say that we must call con-
ference, pass resolutions and organize
a new society. Slch proposals only
add 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 theory. More
is needed in the way of action and re-
suits The two legal bodies provided
for no executive ag.ncy to carry their
plans into erect.
Advanced Step Proposed.
Now we should act. The Presby-
terrain church is in a position to take
steps for an advance 1t has in It's
Confession of Faith a chapter on mar
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 cooper
alton of their brethren in other de-
nominations, and together might hope
to secure the passage of improved laws
on this behalf.
The committee would hereby recon-
mend that this general assembly APP
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 period of at
least one year after the granting of
decree, before the same shall take ef-
feet.
Evasion of the Law.
The following proviso concerning
evasion Of law as to marriage and d.
vorCe, towit:
That if any person or persons be-
ing resident Of this state shall go into
another state or country with intent
to evade or violate any of the laws of
this state pertaining to marriage or di-
vorce, and there contract marriage or
obtain a divorce. prohibited by the said
laws of this state, and then return to
this state, such marriage or such d.
vorce shall be null and void for all pur-
poses in this state, with the same ef-
feet as though such prohibited mar
riage or divorce had been entered into
In this state"
The committee called attention to the
fact that none of its suggestions had
to do with offering to promote any leg
islation on the matter of uniform
causes for divorce.
Loss of Membership.
A net loss of members to the Pres
byterian church averaging more than
$4,000 year for the six years since
1908 was regretfully announced to the
session of the general assembly today.
This loss was stated to be through the
single item of absenteeism. In 1918,
6o,927 members were dropped from the
rolls and 1905 were restored
These figures, however, take no ac-
count of the yearly additions to the
church in new members, children, con-
verts, etc.
The loss, as given above, was stated
TO be due both to what is termed "ab-
senteeism" and to the negligence of
members to notify their churches of
change of address. The statement was
given in the report of the committee
on the suspended roll
1t is certainly lamentable that there
should be such a steady net loss to the