Evening journal., 1923-01-08

be no substitute for mother in the
home, and that the home practice
must he built up on self sacrifice
rather than personal freedom.
"One OF the alarming situations
facing society today is the amaz-
ing growth Of the divorce menace.
In the year 1856 the United States
granted 1882 divorces; in the year
1895 there were 3s.937 divorces; in
1906. 1902; in 1918. 112,09s. Dur
Ing this period of 30 years ;he popu-
lation of the United States increased
73 per cent, while the divorce evil
increased % per cent. or more than
seven times as rapidly as the popu-
lation.
During this period the United
States granted 945,s25 divorces,
more than double the number OF
the ~ leading European nations
combined. with Australia and Can
ada added. In this same period our
country granted one divorce 10 every
thirteen marriages that were SOL
emnized.
I'm the year 1916 tho United
state granted one divorce to every
nint marriages. The city of Reno
granted % per cent. more divorces
than II did marriage licenses, while
the entire State of Nevada granted
one divorce TO every one and one
half marriages. The State of oregon
granted one divorce to every two
and one-hslf marriages Last year
the city Of Chicago granted one di-
vorce for every thrce marriages
"In the single year 1918 the city
Qf Boston granted four and one-haf
times as many divorces as the entire
province OF Ireland granted in the
preceding thirty-flve years.
'In the same year Rhode Island
granted one and one-half times as
many divorces as Canada granted in |
the preceding forty years.
I'm the same year Chicago grant
cd one-half as many divorces as all
England and Wales in the preceding |
twenty years.
THE state having the hest rec
ord is South Carolina. not having |
granted a divorce since 1878.
These statistics from the gov
ernment records indicate social |
condition that demands some drastic !
remedies.
There is very great need for |
some uniform law with teeth In II |
marriage. divorce and re-
There is also need for |
thorough program of education ex-
pressing itself In the church, the |
home and the school dealing with |
the vital relationships Of the family |
group. Even greater than either OF
hose is the necessity for a natural
and vital program OF religion Tor
the home unit.
The church is undertaking to
awaken a sense OF responsibility on
The part OF fathers and mothers for
he religion education of their own
children. -Four factors OF the home
are heing considered. First
Tine inclusion OF some form Of
natural and regular worship in the
schedule Of the home. Second-The
Vhristianizing of the conversation or
ne nome. lUlNN Nv " "fF'''''N -
If Christian standards TO the teach
ng factors in the home the reading
" the home should he appraised on
he basis Of It's religious value the
Iazz ard raC-time music should he
with something whole
some: pictures on the wall should
30 OF moral or religious value.
Fourth-The conduct Of the home
;hould he shaped according TO Chris
ian standards.
MEMS Bible classes Of Methodism
are undertaking to conduct a per
,etual. and intensive program Of
-amuy religion looking TO the re-
enlistment of all Methodist families
n this task. A we'll organized pro-
,ram Of parent training Is being put
iortn; mothers organizations are
being organized; home reading cir
lies are being developed; parent
eacher associations are being or
in connection with the
,hurch. The major emphasis of the
Board Of Sunday Schools is being
placed upon family religion.
"The Adult Bible Class Move
nent is the greatest adult movement
n the history Of Professionalism. In
he Methodist Church alone there
are approximately 10000 Bible
,lasses with an enrolment of l.
,5O OO0"