Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-10-12
SWEEPING DIVORCE RULE
The EpiscopaIian House Of Bishops
Adopted Mooted Canon So.
DEPUTIES CONSIDER IT TODAY
innocent par,g o a 0yores Granted on Inf
deli, Grounds Ganoot Remary IN ihe
,arta-0pnsg;na L. Haweyer,
IN M Means SeIlIed.

By No Means Settled.
san francisco, Oct. 10.-The action
of greatest Importance taken yester-
day by the triennial Episcopal conven-
ton was the adoption by the house OF
bishops, by vote OF 81 to q. of
canon SO, which relates to the solem-
nization of marriage. All of its pro-
visions had been argued except those
contained in section A, which forbade
the marriage Of persons divorced for
any cause not existing before mar
riage.
For any cause not existing before
marriage" d understood to refer to
such causes as insanity, inability to
execute a contract, the existence of
living wife or husband, or like rea-
sons which practically render the mar
rage null and void. This section has
been a bone of contention, strong ell
ement In the church holding that the
remarriage of the innocentparty to
divorce, granted on the ground of in
fidelity. should not be forbidden. The
bishops have refused to accept this
view Of the matter.
The question is by no means set
tied, as the whole subject is now to
come up in the house of deputies,
where it is expected to cause a pro-
tracted debate. The canon, as finally
passed by the house OF bishops, reads:
Canon 36--Of the solemnization of
matrimony
a. The solemnization of matrimony
In this church, in which the mutual
consent OF each party entering into
this state of life is given in the pres
ence of a minister who, having pro
nounced, in the name of the Holy
Trinity, to be man and wife, invokes
the divine blessing upon their union.
"2. The requirement of the laws Of
the state regarding the conditions for
the civil contract of marriage shall in
all cases be carefully observed before
the marriage is solemnized
"3. No minister shall solemnize the
marriage of any person who is minor
under the law OF the place of mar
riage unless the parent or guardian
of such minor is present and consent
ing. or shall have given written con-
sent to the marriage, or is perma-
nently resident in a foreign country.
No minister shall solemnize a mar
riage except in the presence of at
least two witnesses, the minister or
the witnesses being personally ac-
quainted with the parties. Every min
lister shall without delay formally re-
cord in the proper register the name,
age and residence of each party. Such
record shall be signed by the minister
who performs the ceremony. and, If
practicable, by the married parties,
and by at least two witnesses of the
marriage.
a. No minister shall solemnize a
| marriage between any two persons
unless, nor, until by inquiry, he shall
have satisfied himself that neither
person has been or is the husband or
the wife of any other person then liv-
ing; unless the former marriage was
annulled by a decree of some civil
court of competent judges for cause
existing before such former mar
riage."
The bishops have yet to consider
canon 81, providing for the discipline
of persons marrying after having been
| divorced. This also will cause lively
discussion.
The house of deputies today will
take up the canon ON marriage and
divorce.
Both houses unanimously selected
Boston as the place for holding the
next triennial convention.
A general reception to the delegates
was given last night at the Mark Hop
| kins institute of Art. II was largely
attep and was one of the most
h social functions ever held in
| this city.