The record-union., 1892-03-26

In desiring to maintain an advantage
70 winch they are in no way entitled
Is 100 apparent to need any eXpatiat-
ing upon. The same policy insisted upon
20 any great extent would most certainly
! DC Inc cause OF a religious war, in which
Nathollcs would have the support OF
nlne-tenths Of the American people,
whenever the enormity OF the outrage
upon the liberty of conscience, which it
| Is sought to perpetuate, comes to be
properly understood"
The mere circumstance of man and a
woman presenting themselves at q minis
Ter house and asking to be united in
Weolock," observes the New York En-
@a't'2tei tBapt.l, seems TO be regarded by
many ministers as a sufficient warrant for
/ consummatlng otl-hand the most solemn
ana portentouS compact into which two
human beings can enter. Marrying peo-
pie Is oiten talked of by ministers as if it
were rather jocose incident among their
more serious duties, and the man who can
loot up the biggest sum of marriage fees
likes 70 crow over his clerical brethren.
Inc Strlcter requirements Of our laws
within recent years have done something
to mitigate this evil. Thoughtful minis
terS rejoice IN every regulation thus le-
gally imposed, and only wish the require
helltS We're more searching than they are.
But after all possible safeguards Of law
nave been provided. much must still be left
TO the individual ministers discretion and
/! conscience. There may be instances in
which minister honestly feels that the
consequences Will be worse il he refuses
to perform a dubious marriage than if he
gives formal sanction to what is already
bad bargain, But duty will. as rule,
be quite clear to any man who sticks TO
the preceptS of the New Testament and
mas the courage of his principles. If
you have any reason to doubt the pro-
prlety OF marriage, at least delay
IL until the doubt can be removed.
In the case Of tota! strangers. eX-
ercise the utmost caution. In the case
OF minors, require the consent OF parents.
IN the case OF a mature woman who
wants TO be married TO q mere boy, de-
cline. In the case of divorced persons,
except that of the innocent party in the
one divorce allowed by the New Test
ament, refuse peremptorily. Above all,
doh' resort TO the coWardly excuse so
often urged that if you don't do it some
one else viii. Let some one else.'
The New York Ch14stian -1dcocote
tMeth.), commenting upon case Of re-
cent notorIety, observes: 1.-The son of a
prominent citizen Of BROOKLYN shot a
man under circumstances equally de-
structlve OF the reputation of the man
shot and the man who shot him. He was
tried and acquitted. During his impms-
onment he protessed to be converted.
Much debate has arisen in the papers
about the proposition TO receive him as a
member IN plymouth Church. lie was re-
ceiVed on Sunday last. There is no reason
now why the worst characters who fur
nlsh a presumption of having been con-
verified should not be admitted Yet the
family character of the Christian Church
makes 1t necessary to be particularly
it is sometimes joined by those who
desire to wipe out an evil reputa-
ton, make new friends, and by some
who have matrimonial, political or trade
purposes in view, there can be no doubt
The probationary system of the Methodist
Episcopal Church is admirably adapted
to such cases. And it has this further adj
vantage, the Discipline says at least six
months implying if there be reason pro-
baton may be prolonged"