The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1882-07-19
Wants TO Know u no q WaTVy O
Grass Wido~--An Answer oy
Mr.. Dana.

M. Dana.
The case IF a Young man in Boston,
who writes to US as follows. Is worthy o.
very serious attention
SIN would like 20 ask through your
columns. one question. am a Young
man 25 wears OF age. nave been keep
ing with u young lady - years
Of age for about nine months. FIVE
months g | joined the Methodist Epls-
copal Church. The question | wish 10
ask i. this: Four years ago this young
LADY was married to a man who treated
her so badly that in six months she had
to leave him, and applied for a divorce,
which was granted. Now. in rssding my
Rib.e. find in Matthew, chapter v,
verse 90. also Mark. chapter x. and the
first twelve verses. also in other places III
Christ's teachings. that a divorced wife
i forbidden TO marry again while the
husband is living. As | am very much
attached to the young lady. ana stlll
want 10 be true to my creed and honor
able to her, | am at a loss how TO act.
Will YOU please give me your advlve, ana
oDlige ,. ". ".
By the laws of Massachusetts,, where
the two reside, undoubtedly the woman
is entitled to marry again If her divorce
was properly obtained. Our c~orrespon-
dent can make her his wife. But can the
two be united in wedlock without DISC
bevine the commands of Christi Tha
is a verv different matter. The present
divorce laws of Massachusetts and of
New England generally were not framed
in accordance with the teaching. Of Chris
t%ianitv. They were based on the theory
that marriage is a contract which may be
broken by the misbehavior of one or the
other of the parties to 1t, II that lmpro,
per conduct shall be satisfactorily proved
before a Judge. The marriage may be
dissolved not only because OF adultery,
but also ON account Of abandonment n
for various other causes. 1t seems maj
very MANY people in New England, both
men and wemen. are glad to take advan
taoe of the divorce laws to throw on
marriage bonds, without careing Whether
the laws are in accordance with Christian
precepts or not. They are eager to es-
cape from a conjugal yoke under Whlch
they chafe TO be rid of obligations to
husbands who treat them i'll or abandon
them or to put away wives with whom
they cannot live peaceable. Very often,
perhaps generally. they are anxious to
Sc parate fsom their mates In order that
they may be happy with new ones. The
divorced are more likely to marry than
any other class Of people, if they can get
the chance. They therefore have not
acquired a distaste for matrimoay because
of hardships suffered in married life. But
what does the Christ say IN regard to dl-
vorce and marriage? We quote the pas
sages from the gospels of Matthew and
Mark to which our correspondent refers
but | say unto you, that whatsoever
shall put away his wife, saving for the
of fornication. causeth her to commit
adultery and whosoever shall marry heI
that is divorced cOmmitteth adultery.
Matt. v: 80.
And He saith unto them, WhOsoevei
shall put away his wife and marry anoth-
er, committeth adultery against her.
And if a woman shall put away her hus'
band ard be married 10 another, she
committeth adultery.'-Luke XII, l3
There is no mistaking the meaning OF
this language. The simplest man caE
understand it as we'll as the most learned,
The teachings of Jesus Christ are in dl
rect OppOsltlOn 10 the ulNOICc laws VI
Massachusetts. No faithful Christian
can take advantage Of these laws, witt
the words of Christ SO clear and SO posi-
tive before him.
Freedom of divorce is undoubtedly
opposed to Christianity. The marriage
of the woman divorced is also expressly
stigmatized by Christ as adulterous il
the passage above quoted. Our young
Methods; friend In Boston cannot obey
the commands of Christ and marry Ei'
sweetheart also.
Yet we do not deny that very many
men who call themselves Christians woulo
not hesitate to we'd her in spite of tht
words which arc a stumbling block FOL
him. Genuine Christians are not very
numerous in these days. Even minister
Of the Gospel will explain away the words
of Christ.-NeU York Sun.
How would it do to have W kinds o
marriage, the Legal, and the Sacred
This would allow those who tank thei
love will ''stand the storm" till dealt
doth part.-to be married IN church
while those who amt so sure-''an 4 lit
tie jubious,"- and ''naterly uncertain
to marry in the court house, and keel
a tryin till they got things to their taste