The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-02-18
DIVINITY PROFESSOR ON DIVORCE

the midway divinity school of the University OF
Chicago, in an address to tho theological students
last Sunday said:
statutory prohibition of divorce never
divorce law. 1t IS mistake to believe that Christ
opposed to divorce He merely set forth an
ideal in regard to marriage-not written law
against divorce
This is a consoling doctrine from theological
professor, and as the learned professor assumes
infallble authority on tho texts of Scripture he
quotes namely. Matthew v, 1892; Matthew xix, 80
Mark X, ZIP; Luke xvi, 49, his decision must be
final. Professor Votaw says "Tho fact seems to be
that Jesus, in his teaching concerning marriage,
Is dealing with the principles and the ideal of mar
riagc rather than enacting legal statutes III regard
to ii"
To whom does it seem So doctor? 1t might seem
So to Mr. Hoch, with his thirty wives. 1t does not
! seem so to the president of the United States who,
IN his special message to the senate and house of
representatives on tho 18th of last month, said:
The institution Of marriage is, of course, at the
very foundation of our social organizations and all
influences that affect that institution arc of vital
concern to the people of the whole country There is
widespread conviction that the divorce laws are
dangerously lax and indiferenty administered in
some OF the states, resulting IL Diminishing re-
gard for the sapctty of the marriage relation"
Inc president realizes the Importance of the grave
question better than the professor. He knows that
the family depends the marriage question: and as
the family is the foundation of society so does the
state itself ultimately depend on the marriage ques-
ton Hence his far-reaehing conclusion that LAX
divorce laws diminish regard for the sanctity of the
marriage relation Very true when tho sacredness
and nviolabiity of marriage on which the sacred
ness and invioability of the family rest are disre-
garded society begins to totter and the life of the
nation IS endangered. The history of pagan nations
teaches that the social corruption began with the
family which led to the ruin of society, and in time
to that of the state. When the family became ex-
tines very civilization is lost.
But it may be asked, what has divorce to do
with the family! Its possibility and probability I
make children very announcement The result, as
facts prove is that the famy is reduced to mimi
MUM; that unlawful methods, which undermine the
health of woman practiced to an alarming ex-
tent, and that maternal instinct is sacrificed for
and dissipation Would tho theological
professor of the Chicago University endorse all
this Commenting on the texts of Scripture which
10 quoted he said:
Jesus was merely setting forth the will Of God
for in revealing the purpose and the divine con-
ceptions of the institution of marriage He estab-
fishes the ideal of marriage as perfect permanent
nion and enjoins all the married to strive to attain
this ideal" n
Our learned professors are always hunting after
ideals" which are rarely realized Ills ideal of
he divine conception of marriage" is different from
hatof St. Paul. who said: But to them, that are
married. not I, but tho Lord commandeth that the
wife depart not from her husband. And if she de-
'art, that she remain unmarried or be reconcied
Q her husband. And let not the husband put away
lis wife" Cor vii, 10. But St. Paul must take
Jack seat when the modern theological professor
peaks authoritatiyely on this subject. He says:
The whole treatment of his words as marriage
egisation which began with his diciples and which
las continued to this day, is big mistake, and has
ed to gretat confusion hardship contradiction and
trifc.o
Marriage legislation did not begin with his dis :
lples but it was begun III Paradise by our heavenly
ather, who said: wherefore man shall! leave >
ather and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and
ney shall be two in one flesh" Did the Lord who
ade marriage the closest union closer than that of
lother and child, because the married couple "are
NO IN one iesh. make mistake when he declared: t
What God hath joined together let no man put Q
'sunder! Did the professor ever take into account
he great hardship contradiction and strife" which
vorce brings to the family? The very nature and n
sel1ce OF the marriage contract makes it indis-
'luble When entered into the couple marry for h
rel There is no reservation for certain time in Il
e minds OF the contracting parties. They promise O
II HE, or until separated by DEATH This promise Al
nctloned by the supreme lawgiver wher carried h
IL tends to promote the happiness not 'the great
rdshlp, contradiction and strife" of married life
cause human nature will reconcile itself to the
evltable, and give up fighting against it. "
The professors "divne conception of the insti D
ton OF marriage reaching high ideal" may be y
pular doctrine, but it is bad doctrine in morals. :
trey unchristian and each year its evil effects -
more manifested When the statistics upon mar y
age and divorce since 1885, which the president in
message asks the director of tho census to col &c
It. are published, Professor Votaw NAV change his re
'ws OF modern marriage and divorce and conform OF
] teachings to the divine law WI
va
SECULAR EDUCATION. es
we have already referred to the practical ci