Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-01
CELEBRATED CASE.
TIE MARRIAGE OF TEE DIVORCED DAUGHTER
OF BISHOP LITILEJOHE,
Of the PrOtestan: Episcopal Church-The Clergy ani
Laity Much Exercised Over ths Bishops
Actiou-The Groom May Have Sgmt-
thing TO Say in Reply.

NEW YORK, May 31.-The clergy and
laity of the Episcopal Church in Brook
lyn are very much moved over the dec
laration OF the four Bishops that the
marriage of Corporation Counsel jerks
and the daughter of Bishop Littlejohn
was no marriage at all. They are talk
ing over the case among themselves,
but refuse to say anything for publica-
ton.
Mir. jerks is in Stockbridge, Mass,
with his second wife. He will remain
there until Monday, and on his return
it is understood that he will make a
public statement. Just what this state
ment will be is not positively known,
but his friends say that he will not
quietly rest under the stigma that has
been put upon him. 1t may possibly
take the shape of proceedings in a court
of justice.
A reporter for The Continent sought in
terviews with several leading Episcopal
clergymen, but one aud all refused to
enter into the merits OF the case,
though they deprecated the publication
of the story. 1t is well known that
Bishop Littlejohn has been severely
criticised by his clergymen on account
of the Newport divorce case, in which
he appeared as witness for his daugh-
ter. and the action Of the bishops has
not tended to help the matter On the
contrary, the indorsement OF his action
by the bishops may only serve to stimu-
late the tongues of criticism TO greater
activity than ever.
The Rev. DIR. Reese +. Aslop, rector
OF st. AIMS Church, was asked whether
the action Of the bishops was likely to
form, precedent as to the causes for
which Episcopalians would recognize
divorces. Il should say not" he re-
piled. THE action of the bishops does
not in any way vacate the canon OF the
Church. which forbids divorce on any
other grounds than adultery, and |
should say that their action is not in
tended to do so. Beyond this do not
wish to say anything. 1t is an action
for which my Bishop is alone response
Bile, and uy relations with him are such
that it would oe unbecoming in me to
discuss the matter further"
This was more thaa most OF the other
ministers would say, and the majority
of them refused to be seen at all. One
minister, who would not allow his name
10 be used under any circumstances,
said:
The Bishop could well have secured
the divorce. if canonical causes for it
existed, right here in Brooklyn. The
ordeal might have seemed harder, but
il would have been easier aud much
shorter. He owed it to his citizenship
as well as to the Church if there were
Scriptural reasons to ask the relief OF a
State which alone recognizes such reas-
ons for divorce. To stand against
Rhode Island reasons in New York is
gro esquely inconsistent.
As to the legal aspects OF the case,
little can be learned, as neither judges
nor la wyers care to discuss it. Several
Judges who were seen said it would be
manifestly improper for them to talk
about it, as the case might be brought
before them, in one shape or another,
at any time, and it would not do TO give
an opinion in advance.
LAWYERS, however, discussed the mat
ter freely, and said that it was alto
gether wrong that Mr.. jerks was not
cited TO appear before the Bishops, and
there is no intimation in the declaration
of the reasons that led them to
pronounce the marriage null and
void from the beginning. Strict
church people may accept it in good
faith, they say, but others will want to
ask few questions. II the marriage
was not marriage why should it have
taken thirteen years TO discover the
fact? They say that this question
should be answered in order to prevent
less experienced people from falling in
to the same error.
OF course the declaration OF the
bishops has no legal standing. 1t was
simply procured in order that Bishop
Littlejohn might straighten himself
with his people who were talking too
much about his appearance in the New
port Divorce Court. Whether it will
have that effect is an open question.
Bishop Littlejohn is lying seriously
i'll at his home at Garden City. His
lIltUuN dlC luutu tbilb'IHtN III iNS ui
to his illness. They say it Is the result
OF over-exertion, as his energies have
been much taxed Of late by the illness OF
members OF his family and his clerical
duties.
A reporter called at the parsonage in
Garden City last night, and was in
formed that the Bishop was very ILL.,.
He was unable to be about yesterday,
and was confined to his bed all day.
"It is simply case OF over cxcrtion," "
said a member OF the household. His
wife and daughter have been i'll long
time. and his constant attention 10 them,
in addition TO his other work, has re-
suited in prostraton. With a few days
quiet and rest, the family physician
says that be will be restored, but it will
probably be necessary for him to take a
vacation"
From the air of anxiety about the
house It seemed evident that his illness
is considered in a serious light.
] SUFFERED with rheumatism in the shoul-
der for months and the only thing found
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