Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-10-17
NEW EPISCOPAL RULE
CHURCH TO DISCIPLINE MEM
BEERS WHO VIOLATE THIS
DECREE.
CANON GOES TO DEPUTIES.
Coordinate Branch of the Conven-
ton Will Now Consider
Mooted Matter.

San Francisco, Oct. 11-Action of thC
greatest Importance was taken Wednes-
day by the Episcopal convention. 1t was
the adoption by the bishops by vote OF
81 to II of canon SO, which relates tc
the solemnization of marriage. All its
provisions had been previously argued
except those contained in section
which forbade the marriage of persons
divorced for any cause not existing be-
fore marriage.
Some Causes Cited.
For any cause not existing before
marriage" is understood to refer tc
such causes as insanity, inability to ex-
ecute contract, the existence of a living
wife or husband, or like reasons which
practically render marriage null and
void. The section was the bone of con-
tention, one strong element holding
that the remarriage of an innocent par
ty to a divorce granted on the ground
OF infidelity should not be forbidden
The bishops refused to accept this view
Canon Goes to Deputies.
The question is by no means settled
as the whole subject will now come up
in the house of deputies, where it is
expected to cause protracted debate
The canon, as finally passed by the
bishops, reads
Text of Rule.
Canon So: or The solemnization OF
matrimony. The soiemniZ2tion of mat
rimony in this church in which the
mutual consent of each party entering
into this state of life is given in the
presence of the minister, who, having
pronounced them. in the name of the
Holy Trinity to be man and wife, in
vokes the divine blessing upon this I'M
ion.
Requirements of Law.
III. The requirements Of the laws of
the state regarding 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 a minor
under the law of place OF marriage. un-
less the parent or guardian of such min
or is present and consenting, or shall
have given written consent to the mar
riage, or is permanently resident in a
foreign country.
witnesses Imperative.
NO minister shall solemnize mar
riage except in the presence of at least
two witnesses, the minister or witnesses
being personally acquainted with the
parties. Every minister shall without
delay formally record In the proper reg
lister the name, age and residence OF
each party. Such records will be signed
by the minister who performs the cere-
mony, and, if practicable, by the mar
ried parties, and by at least two wit
ne5ses of the marriage.
Minister'S Duty.
wi. No minister shall so1emnize
marriage between any two persons until
by inquiry he shall have satisfied him
self that neither psrson has been or
is the husband or wife of any other per-
son then living; unless TIE former mar
riage was annulled by a decree OF a
civil court of competent jurisdiction for
cause existing before marriage"
The bishops have yet to consider
canon 81, providing discipline of per-
sons marrying after having been di-
vorced.
Change in Church Name.
Another important feature of the
work of the bishops today was the ap
pointment of a committee of five to act
with similar committees of priests and
laymen, constituting the joint commit
tee OF 5, in considering the proposed
change of the name of the church. The
committee has no power to act, but is
to report its findings at the next gen.
eral convention in Boston in 1904.
AS to Marginal Readings.
The deputies adopted the report OF
the joint committee on marginal read
ings, after agreeing to an amendmenr
eliminating those readings which are
original with the committee. The vote
on the main proposition as amended
was.
Clerical-Aye, 50 dioceses; nay, 6 do
ceses: divided. 1.
Lay-Aye. 40 dioceses; nay, do
ceses; divided. > dioceses.
SPECIAL VEhlRE FOR