The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-10
BY the House of Bishops by aVote
of 81 to Fl Was the Most I'M
portant Action Taken YeSter-
day at TrienniaI Convention
QUESTION is BY
NO MEANS SETTLED
The Subject Must Now Come Up
in the House of Deputies Where
it is Expected to Cause Pro-
traCted Debate-Next Conven-
ton to be Held at Boston

lIOIl W UG 7Glu dl OUSlUIl
San Francisco, Oct 9-The action of
greatest Importance taken today by the
triennial Episcopal Convention, was
the adoption by the house Of bishops,
by vote Of 81 to 81, of Canon Sc,
which relates to the determination of
marriage All of it's provisions had
previously been argued, except those
contained in section four, which for
babe the marriage of persons divorced
for any cause not existing before mar
riage.
For any cause not existing before
marriage" is understood to refer to-
such causes as insanity, inability to|
execute contract, the existence Of a
living wife or husband. or like reasons
which practically render the marriage
null and void. This section has been
a bone of contention, a strong element
in the church holding that the remar-
riage of the innocent party to a di-
vorce, granted on the ground of inf
deity should not be forbidden. The
bishops have refused to accept this
view of the matter.
The question is by no means settled,
while the subject is now to come up in
the house of deputies, where it is ex-
pected it will cause a protracted de-
bate. The canon as finally passed by
the house of bishops, reads:
Canon 36-Of the solemnization of
matrimony:
1.-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 presence
of a minister who, having pronounced
in the name of the Holy Trinity to be
man and wife. invokes the divine bless
ing upon their union.
1.-THE requirements 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.
"III-No minister shall solemnize the
marriage of any person who is minor
under the law of the place of marriage,
unless the parent OF guardian of such
minor is present and consenting, or
| shall have given written consent to the
marriage, or is permanently resident
in a foreign country. No minister shall
solemniZe a marriage except in the
presence of at least two witnesses, the
minister or the Witnesses being per-
sonally acquainted with the parties.
Every minister shall without delay
name and age of each party. Such rec
ord shall be signed by the minister who
performs the ceremony, and, If prac-
ticable, by the married parties and by
at least two witnesses of the marriage.
Nv. No minister shall solemnize a
marriage between any two persons UNI
less he shall have satisfied himself that
neither person has been or is the hus-
band or the wife of any other person
was annulled by a decree of some civil
court of competent Jurisdiction for
cause existing before such former mar
riage." The bishops have yet to con-
slider canon 81. providing for the dis
cipline of persons marrying after hav-
ing been divorced. This also will cause
lively discussion"
Another important feature of the
work of the house of bishops today was
the appointment of committee of five
to act with similar committees Of priests |
and laymen, constituting joint com
mittee of 10, to consider the proposed |
change of name of the church. The COM
mittee has no power to act, but it Is |
to report its findings at the next gener-
al convention to be held in Boston in
1904.
The house of deputies adopted the re-
ports of the joint committee on mar
ginal readings. after agreeing to an
amendment eliminating those readings. |
which are original with the committee. |
The vote on the main proposition, as
amended, was: Clerical, aye 2, diocese, |
nay 6. Divided 2. Lay, aye As, diocese, !
nay 6; divided 2.
The report, as amended, VIII now go
back to the house of bishops for ac-
ton on the amendment. The house Of
deputies tomorrow will take up the
canon on marriage and divorce.
Both houses unanimously selected
Boston as the place for holding the 4
next triennial convention.
A general reception to the delegates
was given tonight at the Mark Hop
kins Institute of Art. 1t was largely
attended and was one of the most bril-
liant social functions ever held in this
city.
The headquarters of the Womensl
Auxiliary was thronged all day with
strangers as residents of the city,
many of whom were attracted by the
fine display of work exhibited by the
missions of all lands. The first ses-
sions of the Girls Friendly Society
were held today at St. Lukes Church.