"Official acceptance of birth control by Protestant Churches has kept pace with theological development. In March 1931, the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America approved of artificial methods of birth control by a vote of 24 to 4. Since then, numerous other Protestant Churches and Sects have followed suit. In 1954 the Synod of the Augustana Church at its meeting in Los Angeles endorsed birth control. The Methodist Church in America took unanimous similar action at its General conference in 1956. In England, Methodists have expressed similar views. In May 1959, the United Presbyterian church in the U.S.A. at its General Assembly reversed its former condemnation of birth control. Typical of numerous Protestant statements is the following by the Reverend James L. Novarro: “We Baptists definitely consider fertility and conception as providential and a power given to man to be properly utilized. Fertility and conception should not be left up to accident, but should be well planned thereby contributing to the moral, spiritual, and physical health of all concerned.” Baptists, however, like many Protestant sects have not officially supported birth control but leave it to the consciences of individual members of their congregation to decide for themselves. It seems beyond question that the overwhelming weight of Protestant opinion favours artificial birth control at least to some degree."