New-York tribune., 1904-10-12
DIVORCE QUESTION UP.
CHURCHMEN DISCUSS 1T.
amendment FOrbidding Remarrying
Any DiuOrced Person Submitted.

OF the Episcopal Church, whereby cIergynaen are
forbidden to remarry any person who has been
divorced was discussed for two hours by the
House os Deputies ar ro-iays session OF the
Episcopal General Convention. The House of Dep
uties v4s sitting: as committee OF the whole. and
the consideration ot the subject. regarded one
of the most important to come before the present
convention VIII De taken uo from time time
until ths matter is finally disposed Of The present
canon on marriage permits the rerlarctase OF the
innocent person In divorce suit wherein uli-
delitv is alleged. For some time there has been q
strong sentiment the Church thst the clergy
should NOT remarry even the innocent person
The committee carOus. OF which the Rev
Dr. F p Davenport Of Memphis. Tenn. IS chair
man presented amendment 20 the present
canon forbidding -e-narriage OF auT persons who
have been divorced y minority report permitting
the present to remain as IL Is WIN the eN-
ceptou OF an added provision for the presentation
OF court evidence when applicant for renlarriage
appears before a clergyman. .ras submitted by the
Rev. Or J. Lewis Parks. OF New-Tor ard others
Or Parks. r. r. Battle, OF Releigh. n c., and
the Rev. c. B- Van Waters. oe Portland. Ore.
spoke in behalf OF the minority report. whi.e the
majority report was advocated by the Rev. John
Williams, OF Omaha Neo., E P Bailey Of Chi
oago; the Rev. Samuel Ringguld OF Knoxville.
Tenn. and c.. II. Stanley. of Washington D. c
The Archbishop Of Canterbury present dur
ing the debate The members OF the House OF
Bishops. in their individual capacity, have
rg CUP
The House OF Bishops voted to-day in favor oc
consecrating bishop for Cuba The Cuban field Is
under the supervision OF the Right Rev. James
H. Van Buren,. Bishop OF Porto Rico Il IS under
stood that If the House OF Deputies indorses the
action OF the bishops q diocesan Tor Cuba viii BE-
chosen at The present convention Conferences by
the worIan's auxiliary the training OF mis-
siOnartes We're held at Pierce Hall Bishop Hare,
OF South Dakota. and others made addresses
IN the House OF Deputies discussion took place
10 whether the term 'Tn the United States
meant that territory between the Atlantic and Pa
cifc or included the insuar possessions as we'll
The matter came up in connection with an article
in the constitution governing representation from
missionary districts The disputed point was final
" referred 70 the COMMITTEES on constitutional
amendments.
The committee on cauous. in charge Of the pro-
posed canon ON marriage and divorce, then
submitted a long report through It's chairman. the
Rev. Dr. +. ?. Davenport. OF Memphis, Tenn The
following amendments were recommended,
II any minister OF the Church shall have rea-
sonable cause 70 doubt whether person desirous
OF being admitted Holy Baptism. TO contrTa-
ried otherwise than as the Word Of God and dis
receiving sIcb person ~ these ordinances shall
refer the 70 the bishop for his So1ly JIdsen-
fin any case refuse the sacrauents TO q psnirent
person iu imminent danger or desIn Eor % an any
was The innocent party IN a divorce ror the cause
No r1iaster shall soIsmntze q marriage between
any TWO persons unless by inquiry ne snau nave
satisfied himself that neither person mas oe1L or
Is the husband or the wife OF any other person
then living from whom he or she has been d.
II any question shall arise under this canon IN
IS NJ ;sp - IL 4{asie-,,-- ~ bv the stan5Ii1E
committee, and the bishop 70 whom suc1 gueslloEs %
i1 ii-- sYrL manner as he shall deem expedieut and
zra deliver Judgment the premises.
The report was signed BY Dr. Davenport. the
Rev Dr.. J II EccIestou. of Baltimore; the Rev.
Dr. John Fulton. OF Philadelphia; The Rev Dr.
George A1cC. FIske, OF Providence; D. B. Lyman.
Chicago: " II. Lightner. OF Minnesota; Francis
Lyude stetsou, OF New-York: Charles G. Saunders.
OF Boston: C. Il Stanley. q Washington. and F.
=. Lewis. OF Washington.
MINORITY REPORT PRESENTED.
minority report. signed BY the Rev. DIT J.
Lewis Parks ot New-York: the Rev Henry 5.
Mast OF Cambridge. Mass. and E. H Battle was
presented follows.
s Sest2S f c596 596hh s % be 5rned de mi by the rseord
Of the civil court which adtudged or decreed the
court shall be furnished the minister requested 10
sOlemnize the marriage.
The effect OF the minority report. u adopted
would be 10 leave unchanged that part OF the Old
canon permitting remarriage of the innocent person
in a case OF inddelity. The minority. however de-
sired 10 provide for greater safeguards in the shape
OF civil court testimony when innocent persons
who have been divorced desire 70 be remarked
After the presentation OF both ma iority and MI
nortty reports discussion ensued 70 the method
OF procedure. Or. Davenport DR.. Parks Mr.
Lewis. Dr. Fulton and other members OF the com
mittee took part in the debate. An attempt was
made by William Bayard Cutting OF New-YorlS. to
have the doors closed during the debate but ir
failed by an overwhelming vote. The house then
went into committee OF the whole TO consider the
proposed changes IN the canOns- Joseph Packard,
OF Baltimore. assumed the chair After some
further debate It voted consider the pro
posed amendment prohibiting the remarriage Of a.
vorced persons.
Dr. Parks. speaking sor the minority members
OF the committee. said that the passage in the
nineteenth chapter OF ST. Matthew. touching on
marriage and divorce. was uncertain De thought
that the common conscience OF America would
never accept any sucn dictun as thac presented IN
the majority report and said that IL man had an
adulterous spouse legislation by the Church
would have effect IN preventing his rsmarriags
II he so desired.
the committee. thought that civil court IN Amer
tea should adiudge any one 70 be divorced unless
the cause appeared in the records and declared that
the breaking OF a vow or covenant taken in thu
marriage ceremony by one OF ne principals freed
the other. according to the practice OF common law
He said that there was nothing in the prayer
book 70 prevent the renarriage OF the innocent
person.
IN DOUBT ABOUT GOSPEL PASSAGE
The Rev. John Williams. OF Omaha Nsb. thought
that the deputy from North Carolina was correct
in his argument 70 the marriage VOW the Church
had laws as loose those OF South Dakota. Con-
tinuing. the Omaha clergyman said:
do not want 10 give the beuedictiou OF the
Church OF God To a marriage a which I am t1
doubt. / am IN doubt about the passage IN ST
Matthew'S Gospel. but take the position thar what
God cannot bless no priest, bishop even a pope
bless
Two members announced that since the san