PERIL IN DIVORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1920, Page 4

PERIL IN DIVORCE.

IMCC'ADENCE OF THE NATION. I THE CHURCH ALARMED. By Tole;raph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. At I lie Presbyterian General Assembly, the Kev. D. D. Scott moved tin following recommendation: "That an ef» fni't- lie made throughout the wholi Church (o proclaim the Christian view of marriage, and lliat the third Sundaj in March he the day for that purpose.* The mover pointed to the very great number of divorces that hud been grunted throughout, the mini try, and added that unless he was mistaken the majority of these had been in connection with the worst offence against marriagt relations. He quoted an eminent authority's words tliat "divorce is not tht cause of the decadence of a nation. Tl is a symptom of that decadence." Mr Scott said that some good would he accomplished if the Church were to havi "a big drive" on one particular Sunday, with a view to setting forth the Christian view of marriage. The Rev. T. Jolly said that tlie way in which marriage was coming to fie regarded by many people was one of th« ominous signs of the times. One had only to recall tlie history of the Empire to appreciate the significance of Mr. Scott's quotation. It was patent to all that the community was drifting away from the Christian doctrines of marriage, the preservation of which was essential for the well-being of the nation, not merely the Church. The recommendation was carried, along with another recommendation as follows: "That the Assembly set up a committee to consider the relation of the Church to the divorce laws, and that this committee suggest instructions for the guidance of ministers and others, and report to the next assembly."