The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-06-24
Rich New Workers Under Leadership
OF j. PierpOnt Morgan Expected
to Oppose Proposed Change.


Milwaukee, June 24-The strongest OPP
position to the proposed new Episcopal
canons on divorce Is expected from the
richest New York members of the
church when the canons come up for dis
cussion at the general convention Of the
church In San Francisco next October.
Moreover, 1t is anticipated that the op-
position TO the divorce canons Will be
led by Pierpone Morgan, who heads the
lay delegation from New York 10 the con-
vention.
These statements are made on the au-
thority OF II. Il. st. George, canon OF All
Saints Cathedral in this city lie has
made close study of the attitude of the
church on divorce.
Said the Rev. Canon st. George today:
From what have learned there is but
one sentiment among the clergy and 1t is
favorable 10 the proposed change But It
= will prove awkward 10 many prominent
lay members of the church ii 1t goes
through.
The Vanderbllts. the Belmonts and
other families of New York prominent in
the Episcopal church have been impli-
Gated in divorce proceedings. Both Mrs
Belmont are divorced women. Perry Bel
mont has been quite an active factor I'm
church affairs.
'"Those who could be directly affected
by the measure can bring powerful i'm
fiuences 10 bear The head OF the New
York lay delegation to the convention. J.
Pierpont Morgan, may be counted on 10
oppose II, and his influence is consider
able.
Besides this the power of the Wander
bits and the Belmonts i'm the church is
not confined 20 the New York diocese
alone IL will be noticeable In delegations
from various parts OF the country when
the Beneral convention comes together"
THE CONDITION OF THE CHURCH
Apropos of this utterance OF Canon ST
George, wei-Anown authority may be
quoted:
THE Roman Catholic church, holding
marriage 20 be a sacrament, makes IL alb
sufutrfy- -ihdissolube and treats civil di-
Norce as sinful. The existing canon OF
the Episcopal church is similar 90 the law
OF New Nork--it recognizes but one cause
Tor divorce and forbds remarriage eX-
cept TO the innocent party.
Practically, however, as the conduct
of fashionable society in New York
proves conspicuously. Episcopalians pay
no heed to this canon of their church. but
set divorced and remarked In open de-
fiance OF IL Socially their divorces and
iemarrages are accepted without ques-
lion provided they are legal, and eccles-
ias1cally they are not put under reproach.
The divorced and remarked move still
In circle OF society which receives the
counteuance OF implied approval OF the
presence IN Il of bishops and other clergy
OF the Episcopal church
"of late years there has been a strong
party In the Episcopal church which de-
ell 49,
making marriage indissoluble forany cause
and ~ has been gaining rouns steadily
so that az the last general convention OF
the church, three years ago, it was hope
full OF accomplishing its purpose OF elm
mating divorce entirely: but IL encounter
ed a successful opposition from the advo-
Gates Of the existing canoh.s
Recent examples OF the extremity 90
which the actual practice OF Episcopal
isns may be carried will give fresh and
more earnest impulse TO this movement
20 put Che prohibition OF the church on