The age-herald., 1901-10-05
.EPISCOPAL|ANS SOON ID TAKEUP DIVORCE LAWS ''RlgOTists" Want to Put Ban
 on Marriage of DiVOrc- ed Persons CONSIDER MISSIONARY WORK Convention Decides to Adjourn On October 17-A Committee Is Ap- pointed to Select Next 5 Place of Meeting.
CONSIDER MISSIONARY WORK

San Francisco, October 1.-The attitude of the Protestant Episcopal churches in America toward divorce and the re- marriage of divorced persons is sure to give rise to much debate during the present general convention. A majority report, prepared by some of the most learned bishops, clerical and lay, deputies will come up for action recommending that the church adopt Canon IA, prevent Ing a minister of the church from sol emnizing a marriage between any two persons, unless or 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 living"
 This is a sweeping law, not recognizing even infidelity as a cause for divorce, and not permitting Episcopal clergymen to solemnize the marriage of an innocent sperson in divorce. The action taken by the ''rigorists, as those taking this treme stand are called. is based on the ground that the church is called upon to register its protest against the laxity or the subject ot divorce that prevails in the United States. As stated by one of the signers of the report:
 Must Spurn Responsibility.
 
 church can avoid complicity in divorces of the most scandalous character except in so far as it may refuse to assume any color of responsibility for any divorce by forbidding the clergy to solemnize the marriage of divorced persons in any case whatever"
 This extreme stand is departure from the precedent established by the church In 1898, when a resolution was adopted authorizing the solemnization of the marriage of an innocent person to a di- vorce when the cause was infidelity.
 Proceedings of the Day.
 Todays deliberations of the triennial session were mainly devoted to the mis- sionary field and offered real popular in- terest. A resolution was adopted to ad- journ the convention sine die on Thurs Hay, October II, at p. m.
 Petitions from representative cities anx- loHs to secure the next triennial meeting were presented in behalf of Pittsburg, Boston. Cincinnati. Louisville and New Orl, ans.
 So action was taken, but upon motion J. Pierpont Morgan. a committee was appointed to decide where the next con vention should be held. The house of bishops decided to take up the considera- tfon Of the constitution as soon as 1t is acted upon by the house of deputies. The nouse oi ueputies decided to take up the matter of marginal readings, which were yesterday passed on by the bishops as soon as 1t had finished the constitution, which is now considering. The proposed canon on marriage and divorce will be considered next.
 When the time came for calling to or der the board of missions there was scarcely standing room in the auditorium of the church Bishop Deane of Albany presented the annual report of managers Although the financial statement re- vealed deficit of $102719, this has been temporarily covered by drawing on the reserve fund. The statement that pro- vision must be made foraccruing liabili- ties, work in China Cuba and the new possessions of the United States, Porto Rico and the Philippines is given special prominence in the report. which was re- serred to a special committed