Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-28

The hnal vote taken at san Francisco
last Tuesday in the house OF deputies OF
the trieunial convention Of tho Episcopal
church. unon the proposed new canon re-
IatilE "a divorce and remarriage, was
grtevous disappointment 10 a large pro-
ECriioE 90 Episcopalansa II puts period
of three years 10 the hope fer more strin-
gent ecclesiastical laws. regulating divorce
ard rerlarriage.
The decided action OF the house OF bish-
ops few days previous. In favor Of the
new canon arrested az once the attention
OF the country. AID was generally regard
Cd as a long step forward IN placing on
tho right SIDE the influence OF many OF
the most distinguished churchmen Of the
caT.= ~ 90
as Is nov well known. this position OF
the bishops was az first sustained by the
deputies. acting as a committee OF the
whole On last Tuesday. upon a vote TO
reconsider. the canon was defeated by the
deputies Until further action. which can
not he taken for three years. the Episcopal
Church Notwithstanding all the late incl
dental exCitements. stands urna the same
cid srcuad r. this matter. Some OF the
most fearless 81 the Episcopal clergy now
positively decline 10 perform the marriage
ceremony for divorced persons while 9TH
ers Wilh less pronounced churchly views
10 give the church's blessing and sanction
TO such marriages
TO TIE Iaity-not OF the present house
CT derutics-!t doth appear that this great
religious body. the Episcopal church.
stands sadly IN need OF a canon which will
make. the action Of the ciergy. regarding
divorce and remarriage both uniform and
consistent
One branch OF the priesthood In this
matter can only be right: both cannot
possibly be. IN the natural order OF things.
With The alarming increase OF public
sentiment IN favor OF divorces. for many
and various causes. a large body OF think
ing men and women desired TO see the
Episcopal church place itself upon the
same elevated plane os that occupied by
the Roman Catholic church upon this i'm
portant question Two such powerful and
influential ecclesiastical organizations
could and would do a magnificent work
in lessening the growing evils arising from
lax ctEorce sentiments and e1RctmeRts-e +
Those persons who expected much on
this lire from the trfennial convention at
san Francisco must possess their souls In
patience. until a new house OF deputies
convenes three years hence at Boston
The chief hope OF the American people
In checking divorces and remarTiages-
must come from an outspoken and indIg-
nant public opinion
81 One OF the results OF the Awakening OF
a righteous sentiment for the protection
Of the family and home life OF the coun-
Try was the action q few months since OF
the supreme court OF. the United States in
declaring that hencefOrth no divorce can
be granted i'm any section OF the republic
except after a legal residence OF two years
In an especial locality. This decision put
a stop 70 many an unfortunate, irregu-
lar romance" Men and women who con-
templated securing release from irksOms
marriage bonds BY a six months rest,
de1ce IN some cheerful dfverting city.
were made TO realize that the moral SEN
riment OF the country was sustained By
Americas highest legal tribunal. - :
Tie woman who yearns for an ''afanity9
and the man who Is LOOKING for an ideal"
with lawful but neglected husband. wife
and children az home. are rarely willing
20 submit 70 hope deferred for two pro-
sale years. Such romantic individuals gen
orally discover several afinitfes and ideals
in the required "a months OF weary but
wholesome waiting
II was. expected that. a tremendous
check would have been put upon the recI-
less granting u divorces. and the gtill
more reckless rema-rying Of divorced per-
sons. II the decision Of the supreme court
had been supplemented by stringent d.
vorce canous passed BY the trienniai con-
vention OF the Episcopal church.
Eve-y observant man and woman must
acknowledge ard realize the fact that
there do exist conditions which justify
husbands and wives In seeking relief
from humiliating and offensive marital
relations. There are men who 50 trans
gress all moral law. that no respectable
wife. could be expected 70 live with them;
there are women 80 regardless OF all wife
y and mofherly duties that they forfeit
the protection OF every self-respecting
husband
For men and women 20 continue 70 live
with each other. under these unbearable.
CALLING circumstances. IS 10 bring the in
nocent parties into disrepute and con-
demnatior.. and rightly so.
But q separation givirg legal protection
need not imply nor prophecy remarriage.
When men and women realize that the
religious. moral and legal sentiment OF
the country Is against easily procured
divorces they VIII adjust themselves more
readily 20 their environment. VIII exer-
else more patience and forbearance with