The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1906-07-19
Lutheran Synod Ends.

Dallas, Special.-The general Unit.
ed Synod Of the Evangelical Lutheran
church, which was held here, closed
its work OH Saturday. From every
viewpoint it was highly interesting
and profitable meeting. Deep spiritu-
allty and profound earnestness per
vaded all its deliberations From a
standpoint of general interest its de-
livery on the divorce evil is perhaps
one Of the greatest things accomplish
ed. This is strong reiteration Of the
action taken two years ago, and the
report is as follows:
The attitude of the Church of
Christ is regard to the sacredness of
the marriage bond aad its indissol-
liable character should be made clear
and unmistakable. In view of the
revival of the agitation of this sub
lect In this country. it is proper that
the United Synod should give utter
ance to what it believes is the teach
ing. Of the Scri ptures, and that in
terms unequiovocal.
''In the perview Of the State mar
| rlage is civil contract and nothing
more. DEGREES Of divorce affect such
contract only in its civil aspect. There
fore an annulment by the State Of
the bonds of marriage can have no
binding effect upon the conscience Of
the Church Of Christ, which, resting
upon the Holy Scriptures, recognizes
in marriage an institution ordained
| of God and hed@ed about with divine
sanctions and limitations.
While the Church cannot but look
with dlsfavor upon the facility with
which the bonds of marriage are dis
solved under the laws of the State be-
cause Of its natural effect in beget-
| ting a perverted view of the charac-
| Ter of the marital bond, yet it is not
m our province to dictate to the State
how it shall deal with this subject,
viewed as simply contract between
citizens of the Commonwealth. 1t is
our duty. however. as churchmen. to
| consider marriage as more than
| civil contract and to so act as to en-
phasize its divine and Scriptural char
acter.
The special function Of the Church
| therefore is to indicate by faithful
teachings. proper sentiments as to the
sacredness of the marriage relation as
of divine sanction. and through its
ministry to testify to the indissoluble-
ness of the martial bond by declining
to officiate at the remarriage of di-
vorced parties while both are living.
Viewed in the light of Scripture,
marriage is an engagement as long
as both parties do live, and the vow
prescribed in the ritual so afirms
! While for one specified cause and
perhans also for wilful desertion,
there was be a proper dissolution of
that bond and Of all obligations grow
ing out of such marriages, there is
no Scriptural warrant for either party
to remarry, while the other is living.
| Therefore no minister of the Church
of Christ should officiate at the re-
marriage of divorced parties unless
he is assured that the marriage bond
has been dissolved by God Himself
that is by the death Of one of the
parties.
Publishing Committee Report.
The publishing committee held a
meeting, the chairman, Rev. W. L.
Sabrook, submitted the following re-
port from the meeting:
Whereas, proposition has been
laid before this committee by private
parties from Columbia respecting the
purchase of property in said city
for the purpose Of furnishing the
publication interests Of this Synod,
RESOLVED, That, having heard and
considered the aforesaid proposition,
this committee reports it with its ap-
proval to Synod and requests that its
acceptance be authorized.
"W. L. SEABROOK.
chairman.
"GEO. B. CROMER. Sec.