The morning call., 1895-02-12
DIVORCE WAS DISCUSSED.
Resolutions Passed by Protestant
Clergymen.
In Reply to Communications From the
Glorious Bishop Nichols Defends
His Action.


justified in marrying divorced persons
was the one most discussed at the Profess
tant clerical meetings yesterday. The
question arose from a communication
which the clericus of Episcopal ministers
sent out short time ago drawing the
attention of the various Protestant de-
nominations of this city to the need OF
doing something to check the prevailing
disregard for the marriage law as inter
preted by the light of Scripture.
At the Presbyterian Minister'S Union
DR.. Alexander, professor in the San Fran
cisco Theological College at San Anseimo,
read paper entitled 'The Presbyterian
Scriptural Doctrine of Marriage and
Divorce" The speaker stated that adul-
terry and obstinate desertion were the only
Just grounds on which a divorce could be
secured.
'sThe iniquitous divorce laws" he said,
(which deface the statute books of most
of our States are probably the work OF de-
based politicians"
In the discussion which followed the gen.
eral opinion was that, unless divorced on
scriptural grounds, people should not re-
marry. A few ministers were in favor OF
considering the expediency OF the partlc:,n-
lar case, but Rev. MeSsrS. DOan, Merrill,
Irwin and others favored refusing the mar
riage rite to people not divorced on scrip
tural grounds. The latter gentleman re-
GREETED that divorced people were per-
mitted to put 'single," instead of ''dl-
vorced, in their lines. "Can l insult peo-
pie by asking, Are you divorced%" he
said
Dr. Minton brought forward set of reso-
lutions addressed to the clergy deploring
''the prevalent laxity of thought and prac-
tice upon the sacred subject of divorce"
These resolutions were carried unani-
mously.
AT the Congregational Ministers Club
the special committee, consisting. OF Rey.
iams, DID,, and Rev. John Kimball,
which had been appointed to reply to the
clericus on the divorce subject, reported by
reading a set of resolutions in which di-
vorce on any but scriptural grounds was
deplored. 1t was also stated that while
the Congregationalists accepted the teach
ings OF the New Testament on the subject
it was impossible to point to any church
canons, the Congregationalsts being made
up of number of individual churches and
pastors.
A communication that was listened to
with interest was one from Bishop Nichols
in answer to question addressed to him
by the Congregational Club, asking what
bearing his refusal to allow Rev. Mr.. Haweis
to preach in Congregational pulpit had
on the proposition for Christian unity put
forward by the authorities of the Protes-
tant Episcopal church. Some of the rea-
sons given by the Bishop for his action
were:
"First-Whatever bearing full exchange
of pulpits might have upon progress
toward church unity as outlined in the
declaration the point was not and could
not be that. To effect full and fair ex-
change, for example, we should get the
pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church
the first time he visits London to occupy,
as he would as much to the edifcation of
hearers there as here, the pulpit of ST.
James, Marylebone Unless and until
there be strict reciprocity possible the
whole matter resolves itself into choice
between letting the long-established Gus
which fails of any semblance to a true ex-
change.
"Second-One-sided exchange in pulpits,
as in anything else, must sooner or later
inevitably lead to a new estrangement."
An interesting description of Palestine
was given by Rev. H. o. Rommegee of
Oakland, and a unanimous vote of thanks
was passed for his able address.
The meeting of Methodist Episcopal min
listers listened to a review by A. P. Den
nett of George D. Herron's work "The
New Redemption" A discussion followed
which lasted till the closing of the meeting.
There was no meeting of the clericus yes
terday. Next Tuesday a retreat for Epis-
copal clergymen will be opened at San
Mateo, and will last till Friday at noon.
Bishop Nichols will conduct the retreat.