INCREASE IN DIVORCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17632, 19 November 1920, Page 6

INCREASE IN DIVORCES.

A SIGN OF DECADENCE. DECISION BY ASSEMBLY. CHURCH SHOULD INTERVENE. [BT TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] YTEI/LINGTON. Thursday. At the Presbyterian General Assembly to-day the Rev. D. D- Scott moved the following recommendation: "That an effort be made throughout the whole Church to proclaim the Christian view 'of marriage, and that the third Sunday in March be.a day for that purpose." The mover pointed to the very great number of divorces that had been granted throughout tha country, and added that unless he was mistaken the majority of these had been in connection with the worst offence against marriage relations. He quoted an eminent words that "divorce is not a cause of the decadence of a nation. It is a symptom of that decadence." Mr. Scott said that some good would be accomplished if the Church • were to have a "big drive" on one particular Sunday with a view of setting forth the Christian view of marriage. The Rev. I. Jolly said the way in which marriage was coming to be regarded by many people was one of the ominous signs of the times. One had only to recall the history of the Roman Empire to appreciate the significance of Mr. Scott's suggestion. 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, and not merely the Church. - The recommendation was carried together with another, 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."