North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-08-28

Episcopal. 81
Rev. Bishop Whitehouse, Of Illinois, a
the close of the recent Conclavc Of tn,
English, or Episcopal Church, at Chicago
delivered an address from which we ex-
tract what he says of Divorces ICY 2a., str
It is MOTTO be doubted that in harmony
with the march of deeper reflection, NOR.
al sense md religious principle of our coun
try, you have been shocked ard startled by
the spreading depreciation Of the marriage
tie, Che facility with which divorce from
it's obtained, the demoralizing statements
and facts Of the subject which are shown
in formal discussion, current literature, the
daily press, and licentious cohabition. |
would be thankful if reasonable doubt
could, be sustained on this awful fact of
our vehement age. It is more than an ac-
cident. It's linked with deep, unprinci-
pied purpose, 1t is movement Of social
ism, and infidelity, of q multitude who have
grown up creedless and hence goddess. of
an education which has instructed the
mind and neglected the affections, of a
philosophy which ghriies the instincts
and passions OF our corrupt nature and de-
lies animal impulse, as the voice of God.
As the marriage contract is only a civil
obligation, and state law is, in many res
poets, bose, in the guards and checks up-
on it, facilities are offered for separation
and divorces which tempt resort to this
Formal dissolution in cases of mere domes-
tic idisarrangement and hardship. The
moral effect of discipline. from the convic-
ton Of the all but irrevocable force of the
VOW, has become pervadingly damaged
HhsbGnd and wife alike admit the practi-
cability Of separation as a remedy, and the
causes which ultimately force the final
plunge, are allowed to gather and roll on
in needless defiance. 60
" The facility Of separation destroys all
mutual confidence and infamcs every tri-
fling dispute. There are solemn warnings
on this fearful social decadence on the page
Of history. Greece and Rome, for ages,
shame our Christian RIGHTEOUSNESS. Ro-
lnan philosophers, poets and satirists hold
up to public scorn and ndignation the
wanton and extensive abuse of a liberty of
divorce which probably. did not equal ours.
The institution of Romulus made the mar
rage indissoluble, and though the IL ia
uiCo SutO Lily HuSUailu Tie, 1TceuOm sOI Ill
vorce, yet the republic had existed 500
years when the first instance of divorce
occurred, and the distinguished experiment
ter was loaded for it with public opprobri-
INN. sAugustus endeavorcdg by law to put
some restraint upon the facility ofdivorce,
but the check was overpowered by the pre-
vailing corruption of manners. 1t was the
beginning of the end, when that great ma
ton persisted, utterly destroyed by its own
corruption.
"When the French revolution swept
away the usages Of ages and the sanctity
Of religion, its special war seemed against
the marriage contract, and 5000 divorces
are said to have taken place in the city of
Paris alone, in the space Of two years and
three months.
- The Roman Catholic church sustains
tho absolute indissolubility of the marriage
tie; and in the state Of South Carolina,
where the same scrupulous policy exist
cd, it is stated that not an instance occur
red Of q division of any hind, either by
the sentence of a court of Justice or by the
net of the legislature, from the revolution
down to the opening Of the recent strug-
gle. .asrrv ,ct tfu. 9.
If there be any truth beyond all qucs-
ton, where Gods law, social experience,
the uniform record of our species, every
source of testimony, warning and appeal
concur, it is the sacredness of the marriage
bond, and the national decline which at
tends tolerated disregard or facile rup-
tune of its divine constitution.
8 The canon law, though less perempto-
ry in the esteem Of the anglican churches
thunin tho council of Trent, has fully sus-
tained the obligations of 'holy matrimony,
and will not allow any cause except Incon-
Thence as valid for contracting another
marriage.
IS know not what can stay our moral
decline in this relation, the source and con-
servator of all the substantial interests of
time and eternity, and rouse an influential
control through our Legislative, judicial and
ecclesiastical authority. But l must ut
least instruct you, brethercn of the clergy,
to exercise vigilance of inquiry and deyout
respect for its divine significance in every
ease of marriage coming before you. If
the world degrades the contractin into mere
civil transaction, you must never torg,
that in your own hands it is the Office of
holy matrimony, deep-toned in its sacra-
mental character, where every charge and
prayer is from the conviction OF Christ
ian'faith. Its solemn vows arc god-ward,
and the church pronounces over those
clasped hands Hthose whom God hath joE-
ed together, let no man put assunder.'
s. Exercise discretion becoming your
holy calling, and in every way within your
power insist on its performance, as a sol
emn act of religion, or else decline to doit.
Io not lower your parlor to justice
Office, on sudden call from strangers, and
without competent witnesses. Do not pros.
titute the service to mere legal unisn OF
those who esteem not enough the selemni-
ty to come to it reverently, soberly, adj
yisedly and in the fear of God We re-
fuse our burial service to the unbaptised
and the conscious suicide and l know no,
whysour church has not nerve and discip-
line enough to require the same religious
qualification of baptism and confirmation
as preliminaries for the office OF holy mat.
rimony. Our rubric prcscribes definitely
that persons to be married shall come into
the bodysof the church with their friends
and neighbors, or shall be ready in some
proper house, and the mother church adds
1T is convenient that the new married
persons should receive the holy commun-
ion at the first opportunity after their mar.
riage.'" '""'"
Their is nothing like DR.. velpans French Pills for
keeping the complexion fresh ana entirely free rom
pimpes The cause of which is that 1t regulates the
: entire female system. Sold by all Druggists
II IF - ---a>r-.O.-
iris pleasant to recommend really me-
torious article, hense we ask those suffering
from Dyspepsia, Nervousness, or Disability,