The herald., 1920-12-16
DIVORCE DISCUSSED
AT CONVENTION
REV. DIR. W. III. HAINES GIVES
HIS VIEWS TO THE SOUTH
ERN BAPTISTS.

At the Southern Baptist Convention
held the early part of this summer in
Washington, d. c., attention was
called to the fearful fact that accord
ing to the latest records in 1916, 112,-
936 divorces were granted in the coun-
try" The primary cause for this
condition they attributed ito the evil
influence of the movies, their eternal
triangle and the disregard and breach
Of the marital relation which they sug.
gest"
There is no doubt In my mind that
the movies are a great influence for
laxity in regard to the sanctity of the
married state. The constant repetition
of scenes, which make light of mar
riage, is bound to produce an attitude
of indifference in the minds of the
movie-going public.
The United States ranks high among
all civilized nations in the number of
divorces granted. This is no record
to be proud of. 1t is deplorable con-
dition which should be remedied. The
laws of the individual states govern
ing divorces are far too liberal.
Under the existing circumstances
the only thing which will work for a
better condition is a Christian infiu.
ence. This does not mean that the
| church should interfere with the bust
ness of the state The church and the
! state are two separate and distinct in
/ stitutions, and we thank God that it
| is so and pray to God that it may ever
remain so in this our beloved country.
But a true Christian understanding of
| the question of divorce by the individ-
ual citizen will greatly help to reduce
! the number of divorces. The true
! Christian point of view is based on
the teachings of the Bible. While a
state may grant a divorce for this or
that trivial reason on the basis Of it's
laws. a Christian cannot be satisfied
! in his conscience, until he has an
1
Bible say on this point?'
According to the word of God, there
| is but one cause which justities any
one in getting or seeking divorce
| That one cause is adultery, fornication.
| Christ says: And l say unto you
whosoever shall put away his wife,
except it be for fornication, and shall
! marry another committeth adultery
and whose marrieth her which is put
avav doth commit adultery" Mt. 1873
| This doctrine is exemplified in the
case of Joseph and Mary. When Mary,
the mother of Jesus, was found TO DC
with child, Joseph "was minded TO pu'
her away privily" since he was moi
willing to make her a public exam
nile" This intention of Joseph is com
mended for he is expressly called
"iust man." He was mistaken, how
ever. in thinking that Mary had com
mitted adultery, and when he was told
hy the angel that that which was con
ceived in Mary was of the Holy Ghost
Joseph did not carry out his intention
of leaving Mary.
The fact that divorce may be just
ly sought on the ground of adultery
does not make divorce the inevltaDl'
outcome of adultery. 1t is to be hope'
that in a case of such gross trans
gression, the innocent party practls
Christian charity and forgive Bu
when the offense is once forgiven ant
the martial relation has been re-es
tablished. the forgiven offense canno
Justly be used later on as cause 10
divorce. That would be contrary
all principles of Christianity
There is one precedent recorded Il
the Bible, which shows us that IN
marriage tie may also be cut asunde
nv malicious desertion. In Cor. l. l
we read But if the unbelieving de