The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-10
Bishops and Divorce.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUs-Sir: As a
Churchman and the son OF Churchman. glory
ing in the priceless heritage OF primitive
Cathoicity and the historic epscopate, I, in
common with many true sons and daughters
OF the Episcopal Church. have been grieved be-
yond expression by her furnished glory In
recent years. The curse OF the Church 10
summed up In two words-plutocracy and
society. The first 10 worshipped. the second Is
adored. Piety without riches Ia not wanted in
some Episcopal churches day; and true re-
liEion. II dressed in faded garb. lie relegated
to an obscure corner or politely bowed
out Of the church. 1t 10 the person In gay
clothing who 10 sought II Is tho goodly APP
parsl that is waited upon; It 10 the gold chain
and the gemmed ring that are wooed: 1t is the
society man or woman who is catered for
The vestry 10 obsequious to them, the rector
10 obedient, the Bishop Is deferential. their
sins are absolvsd. their crimes are forgiven,
their vices arc oondonsd. The rector will
smoke cigars with the dobauchee. ,and the
Bishop drink champagne with the easy -virtued
matron. false to her marriage VOWS. altar he
has joined the divorced woman In adultorous
bonds with another man guilty of adultery"
By the very act tSt. Matthew. xix. 81.
Beyond question the root OF the evil lies in
tho Bishops. Some may be startled at this
statement about the chief pastors. But will
prove II to the hilt Here. indeed. Is food for
sober thought. to be marked. learned and
inwardly digested." A Bishop opposed tho
proposed amended canon on divorce at the last
General Convention. His opposition was effect
ual. The admittedly unsatisfactory canon. al
lowed to be 30 by oil parties. Is sustained. Vice
futters with Joy at the fact. and souls. perjured
by broken vows have a new lease; for
society swears by the courtisr Bishop. The
taha oNti IL infn AfnI 0lv tRfn
preted OF course. as a conformation OF tho moral
lapses OF society. At any rate. there is soon
seen resistance to restraint. a greater laxity,
and finally. kicking over the traces
The Bishops are OF society, and 90 OF necessity
from their office. Thoy entertain and are enter
teined; Where they visit. other tranSsgr.ssors
at the same table. They exchange oourtesies in
the same drawing room. They are recognized
in the same ne carriage driye In word they
osm Of the wrongdoer: there is no CEN
sure Of the host or hostess who receives
inarcation between the sheep and the
goats OF society And ND 50 tn. s,iI goes
10 taken as consent. And the RESULT tbs IN ost
shame faced. brazen. loudtrumpeted act OF de-
lanoe OF the moral sense that pr esent or past
infection among tho lam BIS Of tho flock, and no
lightning tiashes from the Episcopal blue no
no trumpet sound is heard from the Angel OF
Ostraosm not only OF the WronRCOers. but
of those who receive them into their houses.
and give them an entre to society. which 10 all
these creatures care for. Is the only effectual
means Of putting an end to adultery, divorce.
remarriage. these mild sensations of society.
greater stigma than social ostracism-a
mightier power than socisty-the Church-can
he welded by the Bishops and by the Bishops
"fhe power OF tho keys" is theirs. They
can bind on earth and 1t will be bound In
heavsS They can Withhold the sacfea rites Of
ment OF the altar. They can exeommunieate the
evil livers and make them like heather man
and a publican" Will they illuminate the
wrath OF the Church against these sinners and
their abottors? That IL to be seen.
To do so will bring forth a howl from the
cold booded army OF the destroyers OF peace
full homes and happy families But II will
gather round the Church women OF pure hea rts
and men OF chaste lives. 1t will present her
escutcheon unsullied once more to the world.
And angels that now weep at the slight TO the
Gross of Christ and the insult to the sign OF re-
demption will proclaim among the spirit thu on
IN the presence OF God. Rejoice! rejoice! for
not only ono sinner. but the saints OF the
Church Of God havo repentedl" Arise. Bish-
ops in the m light OF thy cousecrated oflce. and
lead the hosts OF the faithful to battle against
the communicating influence that Is starving
the splrit and corrodl ng tho body OF the Church
OF Christ! l could also deal with the sins OF
omission and commission OF the Bishop OF q
Western diocese. CHURCHMAN.