1937-11-17 — Page 18

THE HONGKONG Telegraphi, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1937.

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WERNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1937.

BRUSSELS BLUNDERS

My Plan for Test

Marriage

By↔

HHHH

Dr. A. D. BELDEN,

Superintendent Minister,

Whitefield's Tabernacle, London

The "Telegraph" to-day publishes this outspoken and remarkable article on mar- riage because of the change of thought it reveals in certain Free Church circles to-day.

The writer, Dr. Bellen, as Superin- tendent of Whitefield's Tabernacle, is one of the leaders of the Free Church, and his article will caux widespread discussion. Obviously "The Telegraph" does not neces- sarily associate itself with the views of con- tributors.

TH

HE Free Churches of England with their deep interest in the freedom of personality and their moral realism, have never quite shared that rigid attitude on marriage adopted by the sacer- dotal Churches.

They have recognised hard cases and the This is a time when observant necessity, discreetly, of divorce on occasion. persons may be excused for some apprehensiveness concern view of marriage, and it was John Milton who Many of the Reformers disputed the Catholic ing the next manoeuvre of B mad world. They may be ex

wrote "Nothing more hinders and disturbs the cused, indeed, if they hold their whole life of a Christian than a matrimony found breaths, metaphorically, in anti-¡to be incurably unfit." cipation of the next blunder;

for they have possibly come to generally to remarry the inno- through Parliament?

These Churches to-day are ments of the secular movement expect little else from the states-cent

or repentant party to a men of their generation.

More and more it becomes divorce. It is a great tribute clear that the Churches and the Everyone will appreciate the to the twin forces of religion and State are separating on this

freedom that in their ranks di- issue. difficulties under which the dele-

vorce and marital trouble are utes to the Brussels Conference practically unknown. They do

Is it not in the genius of Free have worked. Everyone will not apparently suffer for the ter and more constructive policy Christianity to devise some bet- forgive them for their necessary freer attitude they adopt. caution and their endeavour to

which can bridge this gulf and restore to the Churches the approach Japan bearing their Moral Leadership

moral leadership of the masses? mediatjon scheme with as much

This attempt of mine may be delicacy as possible. But al-

TO-DAY, however, 11

very much open to criticism, but most

wide gulf is opening at least it is sincere and can be a everyone, particularly between even this position and platform for discussion-break- those who know a little of the the practices of secular society, ing the ice at last on too long Japanese mentality,-will-have Every social worker knows the silence. recognised that the årst sign of domestic collapse and chaos

So far as I can see there is non-unanimity on the part of caused by economic stringency nothing in the following pro- the powers

and unemployment; while in all posals to imperil the Christian concerned would

classes irreligion and the decay sanctity of marriage, which, I seriously damage their case, pos of moral consciousness are mak think, is decidedly imperilled sibly irremediably. Italy suping for looser attitudes.

plied that lack of unanimity.

The Free Churches will not She voted against the declara- tion of condemnation, making it tical absolutism on divorce. Car now revert to the older ecclesins. clear that she did not hold with they maintain their position such methods which, she calcu-without an increasing, though lated, would only disturb fur-slow, surrender to the encroach- ther an already. unmanageable situation.

by the present state of the di- vorce law, even after the new Act. Here they are:

2. That accompanying this It is worth reflecting. how. there be State-Endowment ever, that some people object to of Motherhood at least the sentence because it sets the the change would be use- term of this life to an eternal less without it-or prefer- union. ably Citizens' Annual Allowances for all.

3. That at the end of the

True Love

agreed period the union be

RELIGION that be continued, or dissolved sub-

lieves in immortality ject to legal requirements yet makes marriage terminable. of registration, disposal of at death lies open to the charge children, maintenance, and of viewing marriage too physi cally. If a union unto death is

80 OД.

4. That such normal dissolu- made sacred by the observance tion of union be under con- union based on a different pro of a life-long promise, cannot a „ditions_of_comparative_pri

vacy and free of the stigma mise just as faithfully kept be and routine of the Divorce equally sacred?

It may be said that love abhors Court. Expert committees,

time-limits then why bring ench containing a trained

death in at all? Just as true psychologist, would be available in every area for love will pass on beyond death and claim its object in eternity, so such love will be equally cap.. able of passing beyond any miner term agreed uponi.

ndvice.

Undoubtedly it has been a shock to some people that any

1. That in all marriages, civil one should suggest an-alternative or religious, a choice of vow to "until death us do part," periods be available alter- so much does settled custom native to the life-pledge. mean to us.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SCANDALOUS TENEMENTS

To The Editor,

Hongkong Telegraph

Sir:-Your timely leading article dealing with health and has taken the trouble to discover the scandalous state of sanitation in Hongkong will be warmly appreciated by anybody Chinese tenement dwellings both on the Island and in Kowloon.

The true marriage, the mar- riage of the Christian standard, the marriage that is a sacra- ment, will always take care of itself whatever the legal condi- tions.

On the other hand, do we not know from real life how the most promising unions can change disastrously under the fierce pressures that arise from econo. mic conditions, heredity, disease, or moral lapse?

While it is true that religion holds the secret of recovery for many such cases, there are also many where for a variety of ren would be plenty of room for the sons it is unavailing. There

As a co-signatory with Japan the "trade possibilities among + to the anti-Comintern Treaty the teeming millions of that this attitude

was expected of great hinterland," and at the Italy. Appreciating the Italian same time to do nothing which policy from the first, as they would hopelessly alienate Japan: must have done, the delegates at this is the pitiable spectacle. Brussels should have had their And the longer action is delayed ground prepared for swift action the stronger it must be to have following on the presentation of any effect whatever upon Tokyo, the declaration to the plenary Finally, as a coup de grace, session. That sign of weakness, there is the rumour they must have known, would United States in spite of all that the encourage Japan to belittle the the things President Roosevelt

work of such Domestic Courts na efforts being made at Brussels, said at Chicago-may withdraw

the Government is so admirably to treat the whole scheme of into her shell of "isolation" andi Nevertheless, your leader leaves better chance of a straight answer, mediation with contempt. More leave the Conference tottering minating questions

much unsaid, There are vital, do- then if directed from the ordinary inaugurating..

which many enquiring individual.

Is it really necessary, hois over, the continued hints of pos- It appears that the public in would like to see you put to Govern- Another question Is: When is sible severe action to come have America, through Congress, does ment through the columns of the Government going to do away with ever, for the preservation of re- had no more effect than that of not favour any policy which will Telegraph.

spect of marriage to continue to these terrifying and disgraceful buildings?

leave incompatible or tortured a gond to an already angry bull tie the Government to European You rightly emphasise the need for

It is a common belief that mon is souls with no way or hope of They have only increased the nations for jolut action to pre-educating people. to appreciate very largely the product of his en- escape, or with a choice only be passion of the charge, and China serve the pence in the Far East methods of living hygienically. But vironment. If this be accepted by tween their misery and, dis

how can this be accomplished when responsible people, then Government must bear the brunt of it. "On or anywhere else. Congress Chinese, ilving on the borderline of faces the shameful secusation of in- honour?" to Nanking," Is Tokyo's answer may become vociferous. This subsistence, are forced to crowd 20 sisting that thousands of its citizens to the Brussels bull-baiters.

rumour is probably all that was Having aroused Japan's un-needed to remove all restraint with the only means of ventilation which is none other than the creation a verandah overlooking a commercial of the Hongkong Government, en- questioned animosity, and probif there over was any in thoroughfore and at the other end thusiastically aided and abetted by

n 4 by 2 hole in the back wall which local money-grabbers.

IT 18 my belief that this ably unspoken contempt in the Japanese military circles.

is invariably faced by the rear wall

alternative will promote minds of those pollte people, the If the nations at Brussels ac- of another block of tenements with housing conditions in Hongkong (and not injure the lifelong union. Brussels parley, then, has adcuse Japan of violating a treaty usually less than six feet of space refer almost exclusively to the It will make it a more vital issue journed for a week to think by making war on China, they dividing the two?

Chinese tenements) such as land and a moro conscious and sus things over, and to give the condemn themselves in the same In such surroundings and forced to tention paid to property by wealthy

How can you expect Chinese living values, the complete absence of attained purpose. At present it la chief delegates time to plan their breath for failing to take action use a public latrine, probably a full owners, the fact that in row upon accepted too conventionally and next step. There will be meot-to prevent the development. | 100 yards away from the tenement, row of tenement houses in certain without thought, or else it is wel ings at the week-end between True, there is still time to act, to appreciate the niceties of healthy parts of Kowloon it is impossible to comed in a fleet of romantic Mr. Davis, Mr. Eden, M. Delbos but no miracle of state-craft can

find any sanitary conveniences nt-emotion that is all too ignorant and the rest. Delayed action; resuscitate the thousands who to one's mind upon contacting auch other issues, which could do with n of the tests that await it.

The question which rises Instantly tached to the buildings, and many procrastination; the continued have perished in this quite in- conditions is: "How in the world thorough investigation by a compet- If young people have the jockeying to avoid the respon- formal ΥΨΩΣ, Whatever the did the Government ever permit such eat body of disinterested people option of a term of years it will sibility of leadership; the almost powers do they will be some buildings to be erected?" That is a whose findings would be acriousty mako

question which perhaps, painful effort to preserve the hundreds of thousands of lives through the medium of your news-

you, accepted. respect of China, remembering too late.

paper, can put to Government with (Continued on Page 7.)

and more on one floor of a tenement, be brought up in an environment Romantic Emotion

་

Hving?

There are several points about

any choice of the life- torm, then or later, full of sign! (Continued on. Page 5.)