New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-24
CONFER ON DIVORCE LAW
CHURCHMEN TAKE ACTION
Report Recommitted to Legislation
Committee-Appedls To BE Issued.

At what Coadjutor Bishop Greer termed one
of the most important Protestant conferences
ever held in this country. and attended by prom
inent representatives OF twelve Protestant de-
nominations. conference looking - the pro-
hioition Of divorce in the Protestant Church and
a quasi-divorce extradition treaty between the
various Protestant denominations. "a well as
national or State anti-divorce legislation. took
place in St Bartholomew's parish house yester-
day afternoon.
The formation OF this conference was the out
come OF a communication on the subject Of
Marriage and Divorce" sent BY the Protestant
Episcopal Church 20 the Presbyterian General
Assembly.
Bishop Doane presided al the conference.
which lasted for nearly four hours Bishop
Coadjutor Greer denounced divorce and rernar-
riage and declared that the marriage bond was
severed only by death.
On his motion. seconded by Dr. c. a. Dickey
Of the committee OF the General Assembly OF
the Presbyterian Church in this country. Il was
resolved:
First-That in recognition Of the comfy which
should exist between Christian churches. II Is de-
sirable and world tend to an increase OF sne s2r5 ~
81 CHTsan u' ~ ADVISE and n eccIes!astical au-
thority will allow cntoin its ministers 10 refuse
unite in marriage any person whose marriage
such ministers have good reason TO believe is for
hidden by he laws of the Church IN which either
party seeking TO be married holds membership.
The discussion that led 20 the casting of one
negative vote on the resolution was based on
the idea that II would not be acceptable to the
governing bodies Of certain OF the churches rep
resented in the conference II was said that II
might not suit the Presbyterian General Assem-
bly, but none OF the representatives Of the Pres
byterian Church present objected in any way TO
.ts adoption.
A second resolution was offered by Bishop
Wilson. It read
Resolved That the report Of the COMMITTEE on m
Natona! and SLaIe LeglSiaton i pe S eiigSestioo
to the best methods for securing such uninca1
20 secure legislative harmony.
This resolution was adopted without dissent
Bishop Doane said he did not think constitu-
tional amendment was the proper way TO deal
with the problem. and that better results could
be obtained through the State legislatures II
they would accept the divorce laws Of New
York OF North Carolina standards.
on the motion of Bishop Doane. seconded by
Bishop Andrews. # was further resolved:
That the executive committee be authorized
To prepare and issue in their discretion dec
laratior and appeal TO the public as TO the sane
tity of marriage and the grave dangers OF exist
ing laxity in the frequency OF divorce
The committee. TO whom the legislative report
was recommitted. is composed OF William NJ
Ianning. of Trenton: John e. Parsons and
Francis Lynde Stetson.
The next meeting viii be at the call of the
Chair Among those who attended the confer
ence I'm addition to those already noted were
Bishop Paret Of Maryland: Bishop McVlckar. Of
Rhode Island Dr. John Fulton. OF Philadelphia;
Congressman w. w. Old. or Norfolk, Va. rep
resenting the Protestant Episcopal Church; DR..
w J. McCaughan, Of Chicago. representing the
PRESBYTERIAN denomination: DR.. William v.
Kelly and Justice George q. Reynolds. repre-
senting the Methodist Episcopal Church: DR..
w H. Roberts, OF Philadelphia; DR.. D. j.
BurreIl and Dr. James l. Good. OF Reading.
Penn. representing the alliance of the reformed
churches holding the Presbyterian system; DR..
z J. Wolf of Gettysburg. Penn. representing
the Synod OF the Evangelical Lutheran Church;
DR.. Edward p Johnson or Albany representing
America; Dr. Henry G. Weston. of Chester
Penn representing the Baptist churches; Rob-
ert C. Benedict repre- senting the Congregational
churches and Dr. James ID. Steele, represent
ing the General Synod Of the Reformed Presby-
terian Church.
Bishop Doane had invited the cooperation of
the Roman Catholic Church in the conference
In a letter Bishop Doane received Archbishop
Fnrley expressed sympathy with the movement
but maintained that, as marriage I'm the Cath
olic Church was a sacrament and outside the
power of the State. IL was unnecessary foT the
Church to be represented.
The appeal to the public. If = is decided TO is
sue one. is TO be prepared in the next thirty
DAYS The executive committee was also au-
thorized TO send the appeal TO the national con-
church conferences