New-York tribune., 1902-03-17
DIR. SAVAGE ON DIVORCE.
SAYS IT'S NOT ALWAYS AN INJURY To
HUSBAND. WIFE AND SOCIETY.

The Rev. DR.. Minot J. Savage yesterday preached
at the Church OF the Messiah on divorce. After
declaring that must nationally come to the
cluson that We know Of no divine authority on
divorce which is binding the world, he said in
part:
Is divorce always injury the husband and
the VIE: II seems to me that the asking II Is
parenty perfectly plain that II is for the advan-
they separate. There are other cases where it is
an undoubted injury. Is divorce always an injury
truth with suficie1t acciIraCv bv some Eeneraliza-
lima, for example. Do any OF you believe that the
Carolina is above that of Massachusetts Divorce
IS permitted In New-Nork for one cause only: but
Carolina is better than New-York? Are ready
civilized and represents a higher level Of human
society than Massachusetts, where divorce is per
State STATE? reasons against Only ''' " '''7
There is no place in the world no other country
where divorces are easily obtained as In the
United States of America; and there is no place
in the world where women stand 50 high. where
many % Liberties her and and rights no piace wh+re tney
where they are surrounded by so much care, such
courtesy, such sympathy, such respect.
~ me great cause why tnere are 50 many NOR
divorces in this country than any other Is that
granted freedom to throw off a thousand int"lero-
BILE burdens under which they have been borne
down and crushed from the beginning of the world
1 believe that If careful investigation We're made
we should find that large proportion of the
divorces granted in this country means kindliness
and consideration toward woman. readiness on the
part of the manhood of America to deliver her
from crushing burdens. her free, give her an
opportunity to retrieve a far wasted life
/ believe with my whole soul that what God hath
Joined together man has right TO put aSuuder,
believe that in the cases whore God has Joined
them together no man can put asunder-no man
ever does ever will-bUt / have too
much respect for God u feel willing to hold Him
responsible for all the marriages that have taken
place since the beginning Of the world. / believe
we have q right to turn that saying around. Where
God has put people aSunder has right to
force them to stay together
The matter is very simple in a like this, II
the husband and wife have both ceased 20 love
each other and there children. then il ought
to be simple and easy, and they should he per
mitted to separate. Suppose there children
suppose husband and wife have lost their love each
for the other think il depends. If the children =
welfare would be subserved by their maintaining
home, then they under the highest kind Of
obligation to maintain that home.
I have been reported CritiCiSing. in direC-
tions, the rich and fashionable society Of this city
of New York, but | believe that in the main the
social life of these men and women. considering the
temptation and opportunities that come with un-
limited wealth. Is singulary wholesome and clean
| would make divorce difficult. | would compel
people to take at least year in the process of
divorce; they should not be able TO through in
one month. or three months or six, and perhaps
by the time a year was ended they might have had
time think il and reconsider their intention
would not allow them 10 remarry the next day.
the next week the next year. | would have
1t at least two years, and perhaps three.