Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-19
CHURCH AND DIVORCE.
Baltimore sun. \

The approaching session OF tho
Protestant Episcopal Church g General
Convention, which will open in San
Francisco October ID next, is creating
a great deal of interest among the
members OF that church, as the purpose
of this triennial gathering is to enact
new capons or modify old ones.
The general public is more widely
interested in the proposed legislation
cp marriage and divorce than in any
other subject that will come before the
convention. There seems to be large
majority in favor of refusing to allow
marriage of divorced Ierson under
any circumstances, with the single ex-
ception of cass where the former
marriage was annulled by decree of
some civil court of competent iurisdic-
tion Tor cause existing before matri-
mony. Only one member of the COM
mittee on this subject signed the dis
aenting note and desired to amend the
report by allowing the marriage of the
innocent party where the decree of
divorce was granted on the ground of
adultery. DIR. j. Houston Eccleston
OF Baltimore, and DIR. Morgan Dix of
New York, and such lawyers as f. A.
Lexis and II. L. Stetson were at one in
clos 'ng this door, which 30 many scholars
have thought that Christ Himself
opened. The scandal of some divorces
and some marriages that have shocked
the country and the increase Of the evil
have undoubtedly led to this proposed
canon, which must be based on expedi-
ency rather than on Scriptural exegesis.
Every possible loophole is to be closed
and the clergy are to be projected from
themselves.
On the refusal of the communion to
divorced persons who have married
again during the life time of the other
party there will probably be more dis
cussion, as many leaders are opposed
to this disciplinary use of the feast of
Fellowship and pardon, and think it
unfortunate to require such scrutiny
to be exercised by ministers when they
are reading the most pressing invita-
lions. There will certainly be some
discussion on this head. Bishop
PHILLIPS Brooks was much opposed to
this use Of the communion except in
notorious and extreme cases.
The livellest debate, however, will be
on the table Of prohibited degrees. The
co'nmittes has recommended the pro.
hibition OF the marriage OF man with
his brcthor's widow. The women are
not in position to protest against
this limitation of the matrimonial area,
and the widows keep discreetly silent.
But II woman may not marry her de.
ceased husbands brother it naturally
follows that man cannot properly
marry bis deceased wife's sister. So
the question that has long troubled
the Engiishman ,has at last crossed the
Atlantic, and next fall will cross the
continent and make its vexatlous power
felt on the shores OF the Pacific. The
clergy who have married,their sisters in.
law are already protesting. The Episco-
pal Church will find that the deceased
wiie's sister Is not easily disposed of.
FOR years in fact, since Chancellor
Judd brought in his famous resolutions
IN the General Convention In Chicago
IN the eighties-the question Of a
change of the name of the church has
been agitated at its sessions. Hitherto
the conservative wing has been uni
formly successful in debating the bold
proposition to change the present
designation. 1t is doubtful whether il
will even be renewed in that form in
San Francisco. Careful observers esti
mate that 1T has no likelihood of
passage.
Some months ago it looked as IL
sensational attempt, would be made to
test the validity OF tine conservation Of
Bishop Weller. The extraordinary
ritual used on that occasion led to a
letter from the presiding bishop dis
claiming all responsibility, and some
able canonists were doubtful whether
a conservation 30 far removed from the
use of the Protestant Episcopal Church
entitled the bishops SO consecrated to
seat in its House of Bishops. 1t is not
probable, however, that the point will
be raised. The General Convention is
a Legislative and not judicial or dis. /
oiplinary body. Even II the matter is
discussed debate will take place behind
closed doors, which guard the delibera-
tions of the House of Bishops.
A great deal OF feeling will be ELECTED
by the request for division Of the
Diocese of Springfield. The bishop of
TINS diocese, DR.. Seymour, whose ad-
vanced Guardianship and vehement
opposition tt the election Of the late
Phillips Brooks as Bishop of Massa-
chusetts have made him a target for
the criticism of the more liberal
ohurohmen, desires to have part Of his
diocese set of as missionary jurisdio-
tion. Illinois enjoys already the ser.
vices Of five Episcopal bishops, and IL
is claimed that more are not required
by the needs of the work.
A comE1ittee, OF which biebon
Thomas W, Dudley of Kentucky, for
merly rector OF Christ Church, Balti-
more, is the chairman. will recommend
number OF so-oalled marginal read.
ings" for the King James version of
the Scriptures. These readings are |
improved translations and the Commit.
tee proposes that they be printed as
interlinear readings and their inser;ion
be permitted in the public reading OF
the Scriptures in the lessons of the
church. The commission was CONFUSED
entirely OF bishops and ,clergymen Of
the Protestant Episcopal Church,
Among its members is the Rev. Thomas
Jones Packard, of the Diocese Of Wash |
lngton, whose father, the Rev. Josepb
Packard of Virginia. was one of the |
great company of scholars who co.
operated in the famous revision of 1880.
The report of the commission has
called forth much praise for the learn |
ing and industry of its members. The
trend OF opinion IS toward granting a |
permi5sive use Of the revised version.
On the death of the Rev. DIR. Lang
FORD few years ago the question was |
seriously mooted Of changing the con-
stitution OF the board Of missions. An
enthusiastic canonist and ardent be- |
never in the spiritual power of a
bishops leadership, the editor of a
great church paper, earnestly advocated
tne election OF q bishop to the vacant
place OF general secretary of the board.
Ills arguments made so great an i'm.
preston that Bishop Dudley was