The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-09-21
DEN0UNCES PASTOR
WHO MARRIED ASTOR
Clergyman Who United Million
aire and Miss Force Says He
Believes Most Members of
His Church Approve of
His Course.

PROVIDENCE, Special. - Rev. Jo-
seph Lambert, who leaped from &C.
clesiastical obscurity into worldwide
notice by officiating at the marriage
of Colonel John Jacob Astor and Miss
Magdeleine Force. at Newport on Sat
urday, faced a flock Of parishioners
yesterday who are thoroughly aroused
over his action.
When DR.. Lambert arose to deliver
MS sermon in the Elmwood Temple
yesterday morning in the local Con-
gregational Church, Of which he is
the pastor, he found his followers di-
Vided in their opinions of his act
II is understood that he will be
summoned before the General Con-
terence of the congregational Church
to explain.
The minister avoided direct refer
ence to the subject that forcibly iden-
titled him in every mind. But when
he declared his belief that one thing
necessary to bring people to church
was perceptible stir.
L took the counsel Of several min
listers in the city (Providence). and
found that they thought. generally.
as as ulu about the marriage" said
Dr. Lambert yesterday.
Will Not Explain.
see no necessity for any explain
alton or defense of my action in mar
rying Colonel Aston" said Rev. Mr..
Lambert. Il have been Informed to-
day that several members of the
church are indignant over the matter.
Ihat l expected. But 1 am gratified
TO believe that the majority-in fact.
the greater portion-of our members
approve OF what did. Today a num-
Der OF the most prominent and infiu-
entail persons in my congregation
came forward voluntarily TO congratu-
late me.
Where I heard of one or two who
opposed my act four or five in per-
son approved it. So. evidently, that
proportion thinks 1 did right.
In the Congregational Church
there is no bishop or any other
church head so to speak. to whom
its ministers are held amenable. We
are Independent as the heads of our
respective churches. They NAV call
me to account before the General
Conference. That is the only body
which may discipline me. But 1 have
no fear OF being called there. They
VIII not dare TO call me.
Why? Because so per cent. of the
minister's of this Church perform such
marriages all the time"
DEPRESSING abruptly to another
phase Of this matter, DR.. Lambert
said:
Now as to the fee from Colonel
Astor. That is something of an en-
urely personal matter between Colonel
Astor anu myself"
But DIR. Lambert, as several minis
tiers rejected an offer of $1,000. the
public desires to know whether YOU
received even more than this unusual
amount"
There was never an offer of $1,000
10 any one TO perform this ceremony. "
was the surprising rejoinder Il am
sure of that because those who en-
gagged me. and who knew all the facts
in the other cases, told me no sucb
offer had ever been made.
Fee Was satisfactory.
when was asked TO name my fee
/ refused. 1 did not want il said af-
terward that / had acted for any Ger
tam sum OF money. l told them that
l always received 81, or such addition
al money as the bridegroom gave vol
UNFAIRLY, and that / would not change
It. And DR.. Lambert laughed and
sald; IL is natural to believe that
Coionel Astor gave more than ST.
After the morning service DR.. Lam
pert held brief meeting for mem
Ders only, and thirty-fiVe persons at
tended. AT the conclusion of the
meeting those who were questioned
declared that only plans for an enter
talnment were mentioned.
The stewards of the church have
been called together for Wednesday
night, but all insist this will be for per
Iectlng plans for the entertainment
Ecclesiastical ostra ciSm' is threat
ters OF the leading churches of Provi-
dence, regardless of denomination. His
action will be discussed at the meet
ings of the Ministerial Union and the
Federation of Protestant Church Min
listers tomorrow.
Said Rev. Asbury +. Krom, of Ben
ehcent Congregational Church: 81
nave made it a rule not to marry the
guilty party to a divorce suit At our
meeting of all the Congregational min
listers of the Providence churches to-
morrow, / expect this Astor wedding
VIII be discussed. ] do not know Of
anything that We can do to DR.. Lam
bert; but ostracism may follow"
Rev. John a. HaYnOr. Pearl Street
Baptist Church: Every clergyman ] /
meet expresses a desire to see the uni :
form divorce laws adopted in this
country 1t may be brought about ~ .
the public sentiment that follows Colo .
mel Astor's marriage. Not for all his /
great fortune would I have oficiated !
for Colonel Astor. / am indeed sorry
that they found a minister in the city /
of Providence. l am sure that is the /
attitude of all Providence ministers !
There may not follow direct ostracism |
but there are certain ecclesiastical /
prophecies which Rev. Mr.. Lambert. if /
he does not know them. may soon |
4s!TSE 1N /