The Washington herald., 1911-09-11

bring people to church "is to advertise
your church" there was a perceptible
stir.
Il took the counsel Of several minis
ters in the city CProvidence). and I
found that they thought. generally. as I
did about the marriage" said DR.. Lam
bert to-day.
No Need TO Explain,
Il see no necessity for any explana-
tion or defense of my action in marry
ing Col. Astor," said Rev Mr.. Lambert
I have been informed to-day that several
members of church are Indignant over
the matter. That l expected But I am
gratifed to believe that the majority, in
fact, the greater proportion, OF our mem
bers approve of what I did To-day
number Of the most prominent and in
fluential 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 person
approved IT, So evidently that proper
ton thinks did right
In the Congregational Church there
is no bishop or any other church head
Sc to speak 10 whom its ministers are
held amenable. We are independent as
the heads OF our respective churches.
They may call me TO account before the
General Conference. That is the only
Eody which may discipline me. But
have no fear Of being called there. They
will not dare TO call me.
why? because 20 per cent Of the min
listers of this church perform such mar
riages all the time"
DEPRESSING abruptly to another phase
Of this matter. DR.. Lambert said:
Now as TO the fee from Col. Astor.
That IS something OF an entirely per-
sOnal matter between Col AstOr and
myself"
But Dr. Lambert, as several ministers
rejected an offer of $1,000 the public de-
sires TO know whether you received even
more than this unusual amount"
There was never an offer of $1,000 to
any Cne TO perform this ceremony" was
the surprising rejoinder. Il am sure of
that because those who engaged me, and
who knew all the facts in the other
cases, told me no such offer had ever
been made.
Got n Good Fee.
when I was asked to name my fee.
refused. did not want II said afterward
that had acted for any certain sum Of
money. I told them that I always re-
Ceived 81, or such additional money as the
bridegroom gave voluntarily. and that I
would not change 1t" And DR.. Lambert
laughed and said: 1T is atUral TO believe
that Col. Astor gave more than 81"
After the morning service, DR.. Lambert
held a brief meeting for members only"
and thIrty-fve persons attended At the
conclusion Of the meeting those who
were questioned declared that only plans
for an entertainment were mentioned.
The stewards Of the church have been
called together for Wednesday night but
all insist this will be for perfeCting plans
for the entertainment
Ecclesiastical ostracism'' is threatened
upon DR.. Lambert by the ministers of
the leading churches OF Providence, re-
gardless of denomination. His action
will be discussed at the meetings OF the
Ministerial Union and the Federation OF
Protestant Church Ministers Tomorrow
Said Rev. Asbury E. Krom. of Benif-
cent Congregational Church: Il have
made 1t a rule not to marry the guilty
party to a divorce suit. At our meet
ing of all the Congregational ministers
of the Providence churches tomorrow,
I expect this Astor wedding will be dis
cussed. I do not know of anything that
We can do to DR.. Lambert; but pstra-
cism 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 coun-
try. 1t may be brought about by the
public sentiment that follows Col. Astor's
marriage. Not for all his great fortune
would l have officIated for Col. Astor.
am indeed sorry that they found a min
lister in the city of Providence. 1 am
sure that is the attitude Of all Providence
ministers. There may not follow direct
ostracism, but there are certain ecclesi-
astical proprieties which Rev. Mr.. LAM
bert, II he does not know them, may
soon realize"