Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-12
QUESTION OF DIVORCE
Discussed Pro and Con at the
Boston Triennial.
THE OPINIONS DIFFER
DEBATE ON MAJORITY AND MI
NORITY REPORTS CONTINUED.
Joint Commission to MemoriaIize State
Legislatures Proposed-Women's
Auxiliary Work.
THE OPINIONS DIFFER
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
BOSTON, Mass, October 1.-THE order
for yesterday was the consideration of that
part of the report of committee on canons
pertaining to marriage and divorce. There
was a majority and a minority report. The
former advised against the church solem-
nizing the rite of marriage of divorced
persons altogether, leaving with the bishop
the consideration of admitting such persons
to the sacraments.
The minority report would leave the
| canon substantially as it is, going to the
previous civil courts record as to the in
nocency' of the party seeking remarriage.
DIR. Lewis, physician of New York; Mr..
Battle of North Carolina and Rev. Mr..
Van Waters of Oregon favored the minor
ity report and contended, contrary to
Bishop Doane's statement, that persons
may remarry for sufficient reasons and on
prayer-book grounds.
Business Mans View.
Mr.. Bailey took business mans view
and thought the tendency of the times i'll
the increased laxity on the subject de-
nanded great care in the clergy.
Mr.. Stanley of Washington thought the
minority report dangerous. He said he did
not often speak but this matter drew him
out. MI Stanley went on WOuiu pi
fer the present canon to any canon com
peling the conscience of the bishop or the
clergy. When you take the records of the
courts what have you? Perhaps an eX-
parte proceeding by publication. In some
jurisdictions you have testimony taken
orally because of the high standing of the
parties. At present the testimony is often
absolutely useless.
Marriage More Than Contract.
Il believe, with Chief Justice Field. mar
riage is more than a contract. 1t is con-
dition. 1t is the foundation of society. l
contend that this church ought to turn its
face against divorce. 1 don't believe in the
minority report, because believe it would
establish a most dangerous doctrine"
The house rose as committee of the whole,
the debate to continue on,Wednesday.
In the afternoon a packed church hefrd
the reports of foreign missions, which set
forth before the body as the board of mis-
sions the absolute necessity of aggressive
work in foreign fields, especially In Japan
Washingtonian on Committee.
Mr.. C. H. Stanley of Washington is a
member of the committee on canons. Mr..
Stanley works we'll in committees, but
leaves speaking to others. This body has
abundance of men over ready to speak.
Four addresses on Tuesday gave little ad-
ditional light and consumed the whole time
to adjournment.
At 3 o'clock the bishops and deputies sat
as one body composing a board of missions.
Addresses were made on general mission
interests, no matter for legislation coming
up. Some members are already leaving,
and express regret that legislative meas
ures may not proceed at once
Richmond is regarded as a particularly
happy place for the next meeting. 1t Is
near jamestown, which will then be in a
jubilee; it is the first place in Dixie
chosen since 1859, when Richmond was the
place; and 1t was one of the few churches
unsplit by the civil war. There is also St.
Johns Church. where Patrick Henry made
his Give me liberty or give me death
speech Richmond is strong in Episcopal
churches, fifteen in all.
Bishop Osborne to Go to Springfield.
Bishop Osborne will go as coadjutor to
Springfield H.. and not Massachusetts. 1t
is missionary territory and has much hard
work to be done.
The convention parts reluctantly with
the archbishop of Canterbury, who leaves
us today.
The full report of the joint commission
on canvas consists of ninety pages. and re-
fers to proposed alterations in thirty can
ons. This will give one an idea of the i'm
mense opportunity offorded for an imprac-
teal tinkering and caviling over mere
words.
The minority report today on marriage
and divorce proposes to leave the canon
as it is, only adding that the civil court
may give it's testimony
The most important measures Will be
practically settled this week.
This Mornings Session.
The convention met at 10 o'clock. The
committee on canons commended the pass
ing of deaconesses at twenty-three years Of
age. This was agreed to by the house Of
deputies. The order of the day, the court
of appeal question, gave way to the dis
cussion of marriage and divorce.
Mr.. Packard of Maryland was asked to
take the chair. The addresses so far have
been strong.
A delegate from Delaware was first to
speak. He contended that he was opposed
to change because the Bible favored the
remarrying of divorced persons for one
cause until the scholars agreed that the
passage in Matthew was spurious. The
church would be against Christ and the
Bible to forbid marriage to the innocent
party
Articles of Church Against Change.
Mr.. Randall of Maryland made a power
full appeal for no change. His position was
also on the principle that the articles of
the church forbade any change in doctrine
not borne out by Gods word
Both these gentlemen admitted that the
evil of divorce was frightful They con-
tended that legislation should not be in ad-
vance of healthy sentiment. They also
drew attention to the fact that the civil
court records were totally unreliable and
the minister had to assume one party inno-
cent.
The rest of the debate at noon was
against any change in the canon, though
pronounced in favor Of doing something for
a remedy.