The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-23
CONCUR IN DIVORCE CANON.
EPISCOPAL BISHOPS VOTE IN
FAVOR OF NEW RULE.

Two Slight Amendments Made. which tho
House OF Deputies VIII Undoubtedly
Approve OF To-morrow-RepOrt on
the Growth OF the Church Received.
BosToN Oct. 22.-The House of Bishops
OF the Episcopal General Convention late this
afternoon. with the exception of making
two minor amendments, ooncurred with
the House of Deputies in the new marriage
and divorce canon, adopted by the latter
body by an overwhelming vote few days
ago The amendments, tritiins as they are,
bring the whole canon back to the House
OF Deputies for concurrence, but it is quite
probable that the canon will become a law
of the Church on Monday.
The first amendment made by the Bishops
was to that section of the new canon which
declares a marriage shall not take place
until after the case has been referred to a
Bishop and he. having taken legal advice
thereon, shall have issued a license for the
marriage" AS amanded by the Bishops
the clause reads: Having taken legal
advice thereon, declared in writing, that
in his Judgment ia: case of the applicant
conforms to the requirements of this
canon"
The other amendment is In the section
relating to the administration OF the sacra-
ment The canon as adopted by the
deputies provided that a minister shall
not refuse the ordinance to a penitent
person in imminent danger of death or to
a remarked divorces. The Bishops elm
mated that part relating to the remarked
divorcee.
In the House Of Deputies to-day the Rev.
DR. William r. Huntin gton of New York
of the committee on amendments to the
constitution, called attention to the matter
OF the permanent Presiding Bishop for the
convention. r. A. Robinson of Louisville
followed with resolution which provides
for the appointment of a special committee,
consisting of three Bishops, three presby-
tiers and three laymen, to take up this mat
ter and to report TO the next General Con-
vention.
At this point the Chair ruled that Mr..
Robinson was out OF order, as this was
deemed new business, and the time for the
vote Of two-thirds of the floor, the rule Of
order was suspended and Mr.. Robinsons
motion was placed on the calendar to come
up later.
The committee on state Of the Church
reported on the growth of the Episcopal
communion. At the time Of the last con-
vention in this city in 1877, there were forty
five dioceses in the Church; to-day there are
sixty-two. The number Of clergy at that
time was 1882; now the number is $40.
Number OF communicates then, 279,287,
against S04 ,sO8 now. The present property
valuation Of the Church Throughout the
country Is s47 ,005, 405. In the last three
years there has been an increase Of per
cent. in the number OF communicates.
The report declared that the Church
stands as the friend Of capital and labor.
"We find" the committee goes on to say
"that the enemy is abroad in the land.
A great danger is threatening; the re-
ligious life Of the whole community is
greatly impeded by the neglect Of family
worship There Ia a danger to Church
and nation in the RELOCATION of religious
education to make place for instruction
in the arts and sciences. Religious edu-
cation must ever be held Of paramount i'm
| portance to secular education.
MANY minds are weakened by the pres
entation to them Of lurid horrors in books
| and papers OF to-day, and as a result sui
cides and other crimes are marked char
| acteristics Of this generation. We cannot
| forbear noting the great need that exists
| that the men OF the nation should see to it
| that pernicious books and papers should
| find no place upon the tables OF their dwell
| ing places and in their places Of resort
| and recreation, oftentimes falsely so called. .
The report was adopted.
The Bishops to-day concurred with the
deputies on the Huntington amendment
| providing for special forms Of worship