The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-06
DIOCESAN LAW OF DIVORCE.
BISHOP NELSON PUTS HIS FOOT
DOWN on RE-MARRIAGE.

No Law Compelling the Clergy TO Re
marry Divorced People and the
Clergy Not Free TO Act without
Consulting the BfshOp-A Large
characterization Of the Clergy an !
Laymen Present at the Convention
splendid Progress in Church work
shown in the bishops Address.
Macon. Ca. May 5.-The diocesan con-
vention of the Episcopal church Of Geor-
gia met at Christ church this morning
Bishop Nelson presiding. A large repre-
sentation Of clergy and laymen were pres
ent.
The sacrament Of the communion was ad-
rninistered. Rev. Lucien Lee Kinsoiving
reading the epist.e and Rev. John McCoT-
mick the gospel
Seated on the right OF the chancel was
Rev. Robb White and Rev. C. II. Strong
OF Savannah. on the left were the Rev.
H. o. Judd Of s. Paul church at Macon.
and Rev. Woodson Walker Of Atlanta.
At the conclusion Of the communion SER
vice. Bishop Nelson delivered his annual
address. which was listened to with close
attention. He prefaced it with commem-
orative notices Of the death OF Bishop
Cox OF New York. Rev. Robert South Bar
rett Rev. Frances Sharp and ". ".
Montgomery.
ON behalf Of the church in Macon Bisn-
on Nelson welcomed the clergy ana lay
delegates to the city. he exOrted the con-
Nention to avoid all partial or selfish We" S
in conflict with their duty to the church.
High compliment was paid by him 10 the
earnest cooperation OF the clergy anu lalty
IN the promotion OF the best interests OF
The diocese. Alusion was made TO the ne
cessity Of prompt cooperation by all the
committees with the bishop
statistics were submitted showing l4f
churches in 1897 as against II in 1880, ana
funds of diocese and benevolent instltu-
lions under its control TO the amount OF
S2le 1901
More vigorous work was urged IN behai
of the diocesan missions and attention was
ca1led to the increase in missions from Y in
1895 TO ll3 in 1897. Mission Work at Macon,
Savannah. Augusta, Atlanta and Column
Ins was especially noted. General mission
vyorlr came in for a good word II was
emphasized that every possible EFFORT 10
extend and promote this important oranch
Of the church work should De eNeTted.
The question Of divorce was handled
this point, he said:
First, There is no law compelling US TO
marry divorced people: therefore, there ls
no danger to US in refusing 70 do so.
second, Clergy are not free to act In
dependently in the premises. but are re-
duired 70 refer TO the ordinary ]. e. the
bishop Of the diocese.
Third, Nv convictions are clear that
there are causes for separation Of man
and woman who have been married, nut
that none Of these causes carry with them
or imply the right of second union on
the part Of either man or woman.
Fourth, Ny conclusions are that o.
vorce. a mensa ct thora. does not give
release a vinculo, that willful severance
OF the tie By the infdelity Of either Toes
not give liberty 10 the other party to con-
tract a new union. Our marriage service
is concurrent, our canon is not. II Is
quite possible by means of a canon when
can be enacted in two days to contravene
the law Of marriage service that cam
not be altered in less than thirty days.
There ought to be no discussion as 70
which law is the higher"
The bishop concluded his remarks on
tbs subject by reminding the clergy that
thev were not authorized to marry a d.
vorced person without consulting him.
Diocesan legislation was fully discussed
ard the rights OF the bishop and the duties
OF AAE tuAANu MEAt Greatly anu AAE'NiAt~~AS
enunciated.
The address showed that 506 people had
been confirmed and IFS visits made by the
bishop to different portions Of the diocese
IN the past year
The total value Of property acquired dur
ing 1896 foots up a total OF 1850; losses
By FIRE and other causes, SO. so; net value,
$4,000. New churches in process OF cree
tion are ST. Peters at Rome and Emanuel
al Athens. New churches are under con-
sheraton at Dublin, Triton and Eiberton.
Since the last convention. the bishop had
written 5000 letters, Travelled %, 102 miles,
ana furnished 100 pages Of copy for pub
locations.
When the bishop concluded. the service
OF the holy communion was celebrated
with Rev r. +. Reese, assisting.
The convention was called to order and
organized by the election of Rev. +. f.
Reese as secretary, who named as his as
sistant Rev. J. J. Perry.
The convention held a session tonight,
which was devoted to the discussion OF re-
ports and other matters.
MARRIAGE OF MISS GRADY.