Evening star., 1909-07-15
GIBBONS TO BROWN
Cardinal Replies to Justices
Remarks on Divorce.
.BLAMES THE MODERN LAWS
Criticises Loose Legislation on
Matrimony.
MARRIAGE TIE EASILY BROKEN
Answers Reported Reference to
Founder of Christian Religion
as an Idealist.
MARRIAGE TIE EASILY BROKEN

4, BALTIMORE Md. July 13.-Cardinal
Gibbons in an interview has replied to re
marks of Justice Henry B. Brown, United
States Supreme Court. retired on the
subject of divorce before the Maryland
Bar Association at Old Point Comfort
last week The cardinal. discussing the
reported reference of Justice Brown 10
the Savior as an "dealist.'' after express
ing his high esteem for the justice both
as a citizen and iurist said:
I'm recent convention of lawyers held
at Old Point Comfort Justice Brown
while referring TO myself in kind and
courteous language, has taken exception
to my views on divorce and remarriage.
He Is reported to have referred to the
Founder OF the Christian Religion an
'idealist, whose sentiments, while suitab
to less favored times and circumstances
are not adapted to this enlightened age.
Influence of Christ's Teachings.
1.-The learned jurist will permit me to
say that the teachings of Christ have
been the basis of all Christian legislation
for nearly two thousand years and con-
tinue to be the light and guide of hun
dreds of millions of souls. We are in
debted to this divine legislator for the
Iii IislldEI ClNlllLdllOH tndl TuleS lne ufS-
tines of Europe, North and South Amer
lea. Australia and large portions of Asia
and Africa. Neither SolOn, nor Lycurgus.
nor Justinian, nor Napoleon, nor any other
Trainer of laws ever exerted tithe of
the influence which the gospel of Christ
exercised on the human races.
And there is no subject which He
treats more fully and clearly than the
question of marriage, which is the very
foundation stone of family and social
life In three of the pnSnalS He
claims the unity of marriage and permits
separation of a married couple only in the
cause of adultery. l do not see why
law which has been enforced and cordial
~ accepted in every age and country
where Christianity dominates should be
considered obsolete or impracticabe in
the United States.
Multiplicity of Divorces.
'The multiplication of divorces" the
cardinal continued, is largely ascribed
by some writers not to our divorce laws,
but to the eager and reckless manner in
which ministers of God officate at mar
riage services. l have no word of apology
or excuse for the scandalous conduct of
some cler2ymen in this respect. But are
not these person confounding cause for
effect? Divorces are multiplied not by
ministers willingly assisting at ill-assorted
marriages, but because loose legislation
on matrimony renders it easy for married
parties to annul the marriage bond If
the civil laws of all our states were as
strict as they are in South Carolina and
in Canada the persons contemplating mar
riage would seriously and prayerfully re
fleet. they would study each others dis
position and temperament before engag-
ing in contract which would bind them
for life. And certainly the peace and
good order in the family life In South
Carolina and Canada can be favorably
compared with the domestic conditions ex-
listing in those states where divorces can
be easily obtained"