The New York herald., 1879-03-10
LICENSE TO MARRY.
Views of Prominent Clergymen on the
Bill Before the Legislature.
NEARLY ALL INDORSE 1T
Contrast Between the Marriage Customs
of This and Other Countries.

LOU 0lo uots silu ouhkeBpoAfcv W tAo AiekAAo8o
Of true minds admit impediment;" and the world
agrees with the poet that there should be no un-
necessary restraint upon tho union of loving
couples In the bonds of matrimony. Therefore.
while insisting upon obedience TO the laws of ma
ture and to the moral law In its bearing upon the
marital relation. much freedom IS to external forms
prevails in many countries. In lands where Church
and State most closely united in Italy before
the temporal power wrested from the See OF
Rome, the marriage rite is regarded far moro i'm
portant than among nations enjoying greater liberty
OF religious belief In France. at tho present
day. marriage is valid unless civil ceremony has
been performed. and in England numerous con-
ditions are imposed upon persons proposing matri-
mony. But in Scotland. on the other hand the
greatest liberty is allowed. and mutual declaration
In the presence of witnesses constitutes full and
binding contract. Nor is much than an oral
agreement required in several Of the United
Staes and to those who believe in . strict adherence
to the ordinances of religion this laxty has long
been cause of scandal by tho law of this State
minister is allowed to marry any mae or female of
full age. not too closely rolatod, who has no wife
or husband living. But has been already stated
In the HERALD, the bill before the Legislature
requires every man and woman proposing marriage
to obtain u license from the County Clerk and. If
under age, the permission of their parents This
proposition has already been indorsed by the Bap-
fists in conference, and the views of prominent
clergymen of other denominations. given below,
show that their approval is unanimously seconded.
'IN COUNTRY
Rev. Dr.. Llewellyn Bevan pastor of the Brick
Presbyterian Church. in Fifth avenue, said -
heartily indorse the bill. In the old country, you
know not only has license from the Registrar to be
procured, but fortnight's notice is required
before marriage can take place. The announce
ment must be made from the pulpit on three con-
secutive Sundays. Formerly the ceremony could be
performed only in church Of the Establishment.
but by the Reform bl passed some forty years ago.
certain -conformist churches registered for
the purpose; and u marriage may take place in the
Registrars Office. clergyman OF the Church of
England may marry q couple on his own RESPONSE
biity. but u non-conformist minister must be as
sisted by the Registrar. Then. too. the ceremony
can be performed only between eight O'Clock i'll tho
morning and twelve at noon. Many a time have 1
waited for tho bride and looom until tho
hour hand was within hairs breadth of
the figure IL. and then had to hurry through the
service with almost sacrilegious haste. But the law
is not to he trifed with. and permission tn have
private or late marriage can be had only from tho
trene cases. such deathbed marriages, for in
stance and the privilege costs something like f40
ESQ. While don't believe in quite 80 many rcstric-
tions do think there should be more formality i'll
taking sacred and important STEP and am sorry
to in many parts OF this country near ap-
proach to the laxity which prevails in Scotland,
where the mere Introduction of person as your
wife IL considered sufficient. You remember the
story of the Western magistrate who attended the
reception OF two young persons who he knew
were about to begin keeping house together without
what they considered the unnecessary formality of
a marriage. am sorry he said to the young man.
Ito you about to take such q stop; but have
doubt you intend to take Amanda your lawful
Ohi certainly, replied the young fellow. And no
doubt you will treat William In all respects ~ II
had been legally married. will you notY continued
a question: OF course l will Then exclaimed
their shrewd old friend stretching his hands above
the unsuspecting couple. in the name of God and
your country's laws l pronounce You man and
wife,"
MErHoDIsr's OPINION.
Rev. DIR. o. IL. Tiffany pastor OF st. Paul's Meth
odist Episcopal Church, expressed himself in favor
OF the bill. If 1t made the license sufficient pro-
lection for the minister performing tho ceremony.
without that he did not in what way IL would
be of any use save as source Of revenue to the
county. I'm some places where l have been
stationed, such Illinois and the District OF Colum
bs, license is required but IL anything proves to
be wrong the clergyman Is held responsible. II In
Maryland he married girl under age he was liable
to be fined sixty pounds of tobacco. representing
certain amount Of money. remember
some wears ago Pennsylvanan married a girl under
age and sued by her father for her possible
wages from the date OF her marriage until the day she
came Of age. was one OF a committee who induced
the Governor TO remit the fine. II man or woman
commits bgamy don't think the minister who per-
formed the second marriage bo held to account.
though can't why there should be any distinc-
ton between a case of that kind and in which a
minor is married. think publication OF intention
would be an excellent safcguard but by the procur-
ing H . license, unless the minister is thereby
lievcd of legal responsibility. nothing will be gained.
The seventh Street Methodist Church is said to be
q favorite place OF marriage among persons to whom
despatch important consideration and the pas
tor generally marries o large number OF persons
during the three years Of his term His clients are
not. however. always scrupulous In the payment Of
the marriage fee and many the tricks resorted 10
In order TO escape that little forInality.
''THE LIrrIE CHURCH AROUND THE CORNER"
Rev. Dr. Houg ghton, rector OF the Episcopal Church
of the TRANSPORTATION. the Little Church Around
Fifth avenue. thinks that the proposed law s step
I'm tho right direction. He Is almost extreme in his
views of the sanctty Of marriage. and holds that it
should bc guarded not only by legal restrictions.
but by n religious public feeling. II am averse to
hasty marriages us rule" he said, ''but do not
like to refuse to perform the ceremony when there
IL nothing In the circumstances the case
suspicion. In this state the clergy man Is author
lied to exact an oath from asking to bc mar
ricd, and if he does l don't think he Is held
sponsibe in anything should be wrong. But for
my part should be glad to be relieved OF the moral
responsibility. Our Church laws allow the rcmar
riage of the innocent party whom divorce has been
granted for certain cause, but personally l never
consent TO perform the ceremony tor divorced per
son. no matter what the circumstances OF the ease
may be. In some cases hasty marriages are for the
best and then. of course tho necessity of procuring
q license would be an annoyance. But, ON the
whole. IL should be enforced and. additional
prccaution, think it would be well to have the
license published IN advance.
WHAT DR CHAPLIN THINKS or IT.
Rev. DR.. =. Ii. Chaplin, OF the Fourth Universalist
Church. spoke highly of the bill Tho looscness in
rtbafu W h"tihiohs Which prcN"iir hcro anu cisc-
where throughou the country is scandalous. IL
couple were to come In now and ask to be married
should have TO marry them. OF course can demand
oath, but that is an awkward thing, and
/ should hesitate 10 insist upor 1t. l have
never had occasion to put All applicant upon
oath. Many years ago, when lived
In Massachusetts, license had to be obtained there
from the City Clerk. II In Boston. or from the Town
Clerk In other parts of the state Notice of intention
10 marry was tackled ON tho church door; but. OF
course. that wouldn't do at the present day. How
ever approve OF some form OF publication-in tho
CRY Record, for instance. do not think clergy man
should be held responsible IL he show that there
was reason to apprehend the existence OF any i'm
pcdiment to marriage. Particularly, IL the contract
Ing parties have sworn to their right 10 marry, he
should be considered Justified IN marrying thom.
But this proposed licensing will be an additional
safeguard, ana for that reason trust the HERALD
will advocate it,"
No PROTECTION IN CANADA
Rev. DIR. Ormiston OF the Fifth Avenue Reformed
Dutch Church. said that ho had seen memorial
from Prcsbyteria at Rochestnr nsklnn tho Icpis-