Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-04-28
DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE
Report % he Washingtou City Presby'
terry.

Report % The washington City Presby.
terry.
TIE REfoRT DEBATED AT TIE MEETING TO-DAY.
meeting this morning at the eth street church;
Rev. Dr.. Childs presided moderator, and Rev. DIR.
Bittenger a. clerk.
On motion Of Rev. Dr.. Chester It was resolved TO
overture the assembly to define the relation and
duties OF the Freedman's Board and the Presby-
teries in relation 70 the Freedman churches under
The committee to which was referred resolu-
ton offered by Rev. Mr. Cobb, calling attention TO
swIllfui desertion" as a cause OF divorce. while
Christ recognized only one cause adultery reported
as follows:
REroRf ON DIVORCE
"The presoytery OF Washington city, approving
the action OF the last general assembly IN bearing
testimony against the immortality OF divorce for in
sufncfent and trif1ing reasons and against the
ton OF civil courts and divorce laws In many OF the
God, would respectfully overture the general as
ss ss 70 make fn explicit deveranoe prohibiting
those forth In the Scriptures as Interpreted by
the Confession OF Faith OF thePresbyterian church,
REV. DR. cRAroHEAp OPENS THE DEBATE
Rev. Dr. Craighead spoke on this subject, giving
WIZ SAO80SAD Va usOHCC 10 W III inc biOlc
He said that all Protestant denominations recog-
nized two causes for divorce-namely adultery and
w1llfW deeertion-and this unanimity OF sentiment
was an argument as to the soundness ofethe posi-
sistent with tho meaning OF divorce, which was a
breaking or annullng OF the bond The theory OF
believers WAS indssoluble, and the effect OF this In
countries where this teaching prevailed was that
immortality was largely increased In conclusion,
the grounds OF divorce separation, as mentioned
BY Paul In the 18th chapter OF Corinthians applied
in the speakers mind about the application Of the
doctrine OF wtful deeertion set forth by Paul TO
marriage between Q believer and q non-belieyer.
PAUL DID NOT AUTHORIZE RH-AARRIAek.
Rev. Mr.. Cobb, the author OF the resolution, said
there was too much apathy on the part OF the
church. II any one preached tho matter. what
Paul had said on the subject WAS always referred
to and considered conclusive. For his part, the
plainly authorizing q separation, did not say that
the parties could marry again, and there was not
particle OF evidence authorizing re-marriage. He
Old not think that the church had any ground for
saying that there were two causes for divorce.
Christ found long line OF precedents, from Moses
down, upon which to found bis declaration that
ADULTERY WAS THE ONLY CAUSE FOR pIvoRCR.
Rev. MI. Ramsdell said that, rs a minister, fire.
quently called upon TO marry persons, he would
like the general assembly TO be asked practical
question for hts own guidance His question was
whether ministers were authorized, In view OF the
use OF the words "w1ful desertion," 10 unite d.
vorced, though innocent party, when the desertion
arose from another cause than the Christian faith
Of the believing party.
senbly." remarked DR.. sunderland, ''in that way,
ana there is no use In sending such an Inquiry.
"What would you dor" asked MT. Ramsdell.
doctor.
sNeither would In asserted Mr. Ramsdell.
The PTeSbyterv then recess lunch
VIEWS or REV. DIR. SUNDERLAND.
AFTER the recess the discussion OF the report was
resumed. Rev. DR.. Sunderland occupied the floor.
He distinguished between the meaning OF the
words used BY Christ and Paul In reference TO this
complete divorce and by the latter a separation
He maintained that the right OF separation as
stated by St Paul. did not carry with IL the right
OF re-marnage. He believed that Paul was not
writing about divorce It ALL but simply OF separa-
lions, made necessary In the dissensions that had
that the memSers Of the were Of the
opinion that there was only one cause for divorce
specified In the Bible that they could recommend
change In the confession.
Mr. BITTINGKR's SUBSTITUTE
Dr.. Bitttnger offered substitute In the following
words: 1.-THE Presbytery OF Washington city re-
spectfully overtures the general assembly to send
down to the Presby teries an overture expunging
from section OF chapter "a, OF the Confession OF
ton as can no way be remed!ed by the church or
civil courtS'" This would limit the cause OF d.
vorce recognized by the Presbyterian church TO
adultery alone
Rev. Mr.. Cobb accepted this overture instead OF
the one offered by him and IL was then laid before
the Presbytery for argument
SPIRITED DEBATE
then took place between Rev. Dr. Sunderland and
Rev. Dr.. Little on the construction Of the passage
OF Matthew, 10 chapter, to verses, inclusive.
The moderator then called Dr. Bittenger TO the
chair, and said In effect that he not so clear as
TO the ACCESSIBILITY OF sending In such an overture
difference In the Interpretation OF these words
among SCHOLARS He proceeded to argue the matter
at length.