p. 5 | The Divorce Evil by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 20, 1916

The Divorce Evil

By F. M. W.

According to statistics, there is no lessening, but rather a marked increase, of the great divorce evil. The lessening of natural affection and the severing of sacred ties is a significant sign of the days in which we live. The laws of various countries recognize many grounds for divorce. The Scriptures of Truth, however, recognize but one, and that is the violation of the seventh commandment on the part of the husband or the wife. The following clear statement regarding this question is made by the editor of the Western Recorder (Baptist) in the issue of that paper for December 16, 1915:—

It was hoped and expected that ere this the statistics would show a decrease in the number of divorces. On the contrary, sad to say, this dreadful evil is steadily growing, with no promise of abatement. Indeed, the divorce suit has become a matter of such common occurrence that it has well-nigh ceased to be a matter of comment. The press and the pulpit, while deploring the depredations of divorce, seem to have accepted the situation as unavoidable, if not, perhaps, insoluble. As a result, public sentiment no longer exercises a healthy and corrective influence in this connection.

In more than one of the States, there was one divorce for every eight marriages during the year. In one of the States, the ratio of divorces to marriages was one to seven.

The excuses offered for breaking the marriage tie, revealed by the court records, are as many as they are multiplied. Some of these are silly; many serious; and some sinful. And this leads us to say that the Scriptures give one, and only one, ground for divorce. Hence it is, that while the State may make a number of statutory grounds for divorce, the churches can acknowledge but one, and that one is adultery. With the Christian, it is not a question of law and expediency, but of Scripture and conscience.

We are well aware that there are cases where the innocent suffer for the sins of others. This, however, is not unusual, where the man and wife live together. However innocent, the child that burns its hand must carry the scar through life. If a mistake is made, better the party who made the mistake should suffer than the institution of marriage be brought into disrepute, and the teaching of Scripture disregarded. In this, as in all other cases, the Scriptures should be our only rule of faith and practice.

As a matter of fact, a vast majority of divorces come from causes that are insignificant and wholly insufficient, many, indeed, from misunderstandings and little differences that might easily have been adjusted. A little patience would have established the fact that there was real congeniality instead of supposed incompatibility. As long as we live in this world, and people are capable of forming opinions, there will be differences of opinion. Such differences in no way evince a lack of love. Unfortunately, there are husbands who seem to think that the wife is contrary if she holds an opinion contrary to his own.

With this statement we are in entire accord. We sympathize very deeply with many mismated couples that have awakened to the realization after their marriage that by temperament and experience they were naturally unfitted to live together.

Particularly is such a union unfortunate where one is a Christian and the other has no interest in religious things. We believe, however, that it is incumbent upon the children of God who have

formed such relationships, to seek by every means in their power to minimize unhappy differences, and dwell in peace and harmony with those to whom they are united. Of course they must not compromise the duty which they owe to God. They cannot join with their companions in those things which are wrong and unchristianlike. But just as far as lies within their power, consistent with the right; they should seek to enter into the plans and experiences of those with whom they are associated in the family relationship.

The Christian wife should seek to make her home the most pleasant place in all the world for her unconverted husband. To the family board she should welcome his friends. She should take an interest in his business, and she should go with him in his plans and pursuits just as far as she can without sacrificing principle. By manifesting love, forbearance, patience, and wifely devotion, she should exemplify the spirit of the religion which she professes, praying God the while to work through her ministry to the conversion of the one who has no hope in Christ.

The same earnest endeavor should be made on the part of the converted husband for the wife who knows not the Lord. A severing of the marriage bond can never be considered except for the reasons stated in the Scriptures of Truth (Matt. 19: 9); and even in that case the love of Christ in the heart may enable the possessor to triumph over the natural feelings and receive back again the repentant one, even as Christ receives back his church, which oftentimes leaves its lawful spouse and returns again with tears of repentance.

Speaking of the marriage relationship, the apostle Paul bears this testimony:—

“Unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.” 1 Cor. 7: 10-14.

Some of these unfortunate unions were formed before Christ was recognized by either the husband or the wife. Some were unwisely formed after one had come to know the Lord. While God, by his Spirit, does not lead his children to form such relationships, he by no means forsakes them afterwards. And his great heart of love is moved with compassion for many who have thus brought themselves into a trying and embarrassing relationship which must be borne through life; and his hand is reached out to help all who will turn to him. He will give strength to stand; he will give wisdom to enable the tried ones to bear up under their load of trial; wisdom to meet the perplexing situations which may grow out of their relationship. And if his children are faithful to him, seeking to exemplify his Spirit in their dealings with those who know him not, he will be pleased in many cases to work such transformations even in the wicked and unregenerate, as will lead them to acknowledge him as their Saviour and their godly companions as the instruments through which God worked in effecting the transformation.

F. M. W.