New-York tribune., 1901-10-10
THE CHURCH AND DIVORCE
HOUSE OF BISHOPS OF EPISCOPAL CON
vENTION ADOPTS NEW CANON-NO
MARRIAGE OF DIVORCED PERSONS.

IBY TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUSE.l
San Francisco Oct. 9.-By vote that gave
evidence OF strong difference in feeling on the
subject the House OF Bishops of the Protestant
Episcopal Convention to-day adopted the new
canon for the solemnization Of marriage This
was the most important business of the con-
vention, in either the House Of Bishops or the
House OF Deputies. The amendment prohibit
ing the solemnization Of marriage of any d.
vorced person adopted by vote OF "a to 70
The debate long and spirited. Many
bishops went on record holding to the belief
that the teachings Of the Saviour permitted the
rernarriage OF persons whose former life part
ners had been guilty of adultery. The majority,
however held to the opinion that the Church
was obliged TO take most stringent measures in
order to set the seal of its condemnation on the
loose practices prevailing in this country in re-
gard TO the marriage tie.
The canon as amended goes to the House
of Deputies. whose discussions are public, and
whose greater numbers and less conservative
spirit are apt TO provoke a still more vigorous
debate.
The canon, as finally passed by the House of
Bishops, reads:
Canon 36-Of the solemnization Of matrimony
First-The solemnization OF rnatrimony 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 pro-
nounced. in the name OF the Holy Trinity, to be
man and wife, invokes the Divine blessing upon
their union.
Second-The requirements of the laws Of the
State regarding the conditions for the civil con-
tract OF marriage shall in all cases be carefully
observed before the marriage is solennized.
Third-No minister shall solemnize the mar
riage OF any person who is a minor under the
law Of the place Of marriage, unless the parent
guardian OF such minor is present and
senting, or shall have given written consent to
the marriage, or is permanently resident in a
aigr1 1fFT rlfCFa hal EOla pa
a marriage except in the presence Of at least
two witnesses. the minister the witnesses
being personally acquainted with the parties
Every minister shall without delay formally re-
cord in the proper register the name, age ana
residence of each party. such record shall be
signed by the minister who performs the cere-
mony, and, If practicable by the married parties,
and by at least two witnesses Of the marriage
F0urth--No minister shall solemniZe a
riage between any two persons unless. 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; unless the
former marriage annuled by decree of
some civil court of competent jurisdiction for
cause existing before such former marriage
The bishops have yet to consider Canon No. 81.
providing for the discipline of persons marrying
after having been divorced. This also will cause
lively discussion.
Both houses to-day adopted resolution Sc
lecting Boston as the place Of holding the next
Trennial General Convention in 1904. The
House Of Bishops resurrected Section and the
rider to Section 1O, both proposed as amend
ments 10 the constitution, and killed by the
House OF Deputies, and discussed them at some
length in the afternoon, and voted them down.
Section was designed to regulate the formation
Of new missionary districts, and the rider to
Section 10 intended to permit variations
from tie established form Of worship in congre-
cations fully in union with the church.
1t was almost foregone conclusion that the
bishops would not accede to the last named
amendment.
The House of Bishops appointed five members
Of joint committee to include also five clerical
and five lay deputies, to Investigate the matter
OF a proposed change Of the name Of the church,
and to make recommendations to the next gen.
eral convention.
The House Of Deputies was occupied nearly all
day IL considering the report of the joint COM
mttee marginal readings. 1t finally de-
ciGed that all the English and American versions
be entered in the margin, and that ministers be
permitted TO read them at option. The bishops
tomorrow viii probably receive the report Of the
committee to whom referred the nomina-
ton OF two candidates for the vacant bishopric
OF North Dakota and Olympia. The House of
Deputies will continue its calendar. and may
take up the canon marriage and divorce. To-
night both houses met in joint session as
board of missions