The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-16

T marriage divine institution, or only a clVll
contract of human origin? Does the marital re-
laton end with death, or is the perfect consuIn-
nation of marriage found only in celestial we'd
lock? Is divorce onense in the sight of God
and human society," or is 1t essential 10 t'e
harmonizng of social conditions?
These are questions that have never been answered
TO the complete satisfaction OF society IN sehelai
The views of several of the various religious poales
are here given entertaining medley OF opinion
upon the subject of marriage and divorce;
The general convention Of the Episcopal church re-
which opened at Washington D. c. on October In
episcopal well as the religious wGrld dt t.
1 t hs 5n Sassaioa a divorce and
. cidentaIy opens the door to the
The proposition to revise the canon Of the Eplsco.
pal church marriage and divorce VIII be one OF
the most important and interesting subjects come
before the convention. The sentiment of the clergy
clergymen asking for stringent rule upon the sub
ject has brought from the committee on revision OF
t tina :0-'''.'+- M . 's ,.~.,.. 49,
rage of either party to divorce during the lie OF
the other party"
substituted for the law that now obtains and which
provides that the innocent party to divorce doT the
The committee is composed of Bishops Doane of
Potter of New York Parent of Maryland, Burgess of
Quincy and thirteen ministers and laymen. But the
radical revision of the canon on divorce Bishop Pot
ter supported by four other members OF the com
mttee proposes moderate revision winch perIhlts
the marriage of the innocent party to divorce on
nishing of certified of the record of the court
granting the divorce
Rev. w. c. Shaw. assistant rector of st. Luke S
Episcopal Church. expressed this brief opinion on the
future of the marital state, which he ad-
might be Endorsed by his fellow clergy
men:
Cod has given us a law to guide US The moment
that and joined together in matri-
1nony there begins operation of the law that, if
not interrupted viii bring certain results but like
other laws if interrupted. wrong result is sure to
follow God has said that but thing will inter-
rupt the law Of atrmony and that the act OF in
fidelity.
The Protestant view of divorce was plainly and
positively expressed by Rev J. A. B. Wilson, pastor
------- of the Howard-street Methodist
METHODIST G dea en- Mn4 GSsseu by
View ing that the Savior himself settled
-- that question by declaring that
in the resurrection they neither marry given
in marriage, but the angels of God" On the
subject of divorce he said:
''The Bible which is the only moral standard, gives
hut one ground divorce; all divorce that
travene this law Ubiquitous and demoralizing to
the individual and the community. The divorce laws
OF this State monstrous.
II think no church advocates and no clergyman
believes in wishes to soennize marriage where
arty has been guilty of the infamy of divorce
For the one cause; but 1t is wholly impractcable to
ouestion persons upon such a subject Where the
the minister can exercise his discretion.
'erhe case of Mrs William K. Vanderbilt was no.
torious: greatest ecclesast1c and churchan
on earth Gin the sense of craftsmanship, Bishop Pot
fer nobIv did his duty by refusing TO soemnize her
marriage with Oliver Belmont. But think of min