The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-03-30
Episcopal Clergyman Contends
That Unhappy Marriages
Shouldn't Be IndissOlubIe.
BY THE REV. E. A. WATSON.

Rector of st. stephens II. f. Church.
Sf-s HE subject OF divorce has at
tracted much attention during
the last few years. Many good
persons have become alarmed over its
prevalence; and some of them have adj
vocated drastic measures to put a stop
TO it. Their Way of putting a stop to di-
yorce would be q law forbidding it, or
permitting it only under the fewest n
severest conditions. Without such
legislation they apprehend an increas-
ing recourse to divorce till marriage
shall become only a temporary ar
rangement terminable for any and
every reason. They seem to have lost
confidence in the ability of the mar
riage institution to stand ON its own
merits. Married people, il free to do
so, would separate. Only legal duress
can hold them together. This is assur-
eddy a pessimistic view of an institu>
tion which they are fond of proclaim
ing divine.
The Catholic church permits no di-
vorce; the Episcopal church permits it
for one cause; and the Greek church
permits divorce with remarriage for
several causes, 1t would seem to fol-
low from these differences of view that
| the teaching of Scripture on this head
is not clear; at least, not clear enough
to be imposed as a rule of faith. My
own position on the subject Is that
ascribed to St. Paul. ] believe hat the
matter is left largely, il not wholly, to
the Christian conscience and judgment.
But all agree that the Scriptural ideal
of marriage is a union of a man and a
woman lasting till death. Not only is
this the Christian ideal, but it is the
ideal of Christendom.
But this ideal marriage is more. than
a mere outward propinauity. a mere
external bond that cannot be severed.
That is only the bare form of wedlock,
and Is quite consistent with a denial Of
the power, or virtue, thereof. For
Scriptural marriage contemplates a
union, of lives, a union of hearts, a
union cemented by abiding love. 1t is
the love, devotion, service and honor
of zach for the other that are to last
till death. Real marriage, according to
the Scriptural ideal, is no mere legal
relation. 1t is the intimate com
mingling of two lives, SO that each is
increased and enriched by the other.
Now in the relation of husbands anc
wives the Scriptural ideal is seldom
realized. But in very many cases,
believe in the great majority of cases
so much of it is realized as TO make
the. marriage relation fruitful in good
After dedueting the misunderstanding
and EMBELLISHMENTS, there is a pre-
ponderance of usefulness goodness
and satisfaction in married life. Gen
orally. all that is needed is that there
should be, on both sides, patience, {
Willingness to overlook, and a disposi
Ition 10 make a fair trial; and with thes,
in time the friction will be reduced OF
even disappear. 1t is the part of tn
state to insist that there shall be thi
fair trial this honest effort at mutua
adjustments; aud to this end 1t SHOULD
not allow the matter to be the subjec
OF a snap Judgment. Divorce SHOULD
not be so easy. as to invite recours t
it as a relief from imaginary, trivial
or transient discords.
But alas. there are marital discord
that are not imaginary or trivial o
transient. Married life Is sometimes
hell. Continuance in even the outwar'
relation may mean worse than uqhap
pinesss 1t may mean degradation.
coarsening of the souls fibre. a harden
ing of the finer sensibiiities. 1t ma,
\ mean suicide or murder in respect Q
the true manhood or ~womanhood. On
may md oneself linkAd to q tyrant, I
q brute, to IA sct, 20 a clod, to a sen