The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-08
Colonel Astor Will EncOun-
ter Trouble in Claim
ing. His Bride
SOCIETY WONDERING IF
MARRIAGE WILL OCCUR
Philadelphia Rector Contin-
ues to Fire Broadsides
and Bishop Backs
Him Up

PROVIDENCE. r. l.. Aug. THE
Episcopal church, or which Colonel
John Jacob Aston and his beautiful
young fiance. Madeline Talmage Force,
are both mem bers, Will not permit any
Clergyman of its sect to perform the
marriage ceremony.
This positive statement was made
by the Right Rev. James DeWolf
Perry. bishop of the Protestant Epis-
copal Diocese Of Rhode Island. to-
day.
If this marriage would not be al
lowed in New York State by the civil
authorities, it would not be allowed
in any Episcopal diocese of that State.
nor OF any other state" was the posi-
tive declaration OF the bishop.
When Mrs. Ava willing Aston OBJ
tatned her divorce, IL little more than
year ago, the courts made the ex-
press decree that Colonel Aston should
not be permitted 10 marry again tn
the State of New York So Tong MS
mis- divorced wife remained alive. The
first Mrs. Aston is very much alive.
Mr. William Force, the father of
Miss Madeline, is nov III Newport
with his daughter, making selection
Of cottages. 1t was understood that
they hoped and expected to have the
marriage ceremony performed in that
city,
May he No Wedding,
Following the denunctation Of Col
unet Aston ard hts proposed mar
riage by the Rev. George Chalmers
Richmond from his pulpit In 81
Johns church in Philadelphia last
night. the announcement by Bishop
Perry comes as e telling blow upon
the richest young man In America.
Indeed. in view Of these statements
society is wondering IL the marriage
will ever take place.
Permission for any Episcopal cler-
Eyman 10 perform such "A marriage
would depend entirely upon the pa
pers submitted when the application
rs made by the parties 10 the marriage
contract" pursued the bishop. IF the
papers are OF a character which allow
our clergy To perform such a mar
rage It would be permitted the de-
cislon being based entirely upon the
papers.
You see Il Is not question for
the bishop 10 decide. since it is a
purely legal question. Hut / woeld
not sanction any marriage in my do
cese which the diocese had sufficient
reasons for refusing To SANCTION nat
is all there is to IT."
stands by Guns
PHILADELPHIA. PA. Aug -
My congregation fully approves my
denunciation Of the projected Aston
Forte disgrace made from The pulpit
last night. My bishop understands
me and my views and approves them.
intend TO denounce the Astor bar
gain again and again. and 10 do all
can To make IL Impossible for that
wedding 10 be solemnized by a clcrgy =
man OF any faith
The Rev Or. George Chain ers
s%aetlsa01lsf made fhls declaration to-
night after conference with yestry-
men of st. Johns Episcopal churhc
OF which he is the rector.
Early In the day Dr. Richmond re-
ceiyed a summons from the arch
Episcopal residence because Of his
sermon and while he admitted later
that Bishop Macksy- Smith. and him
setf Were not in hearty accord stated
that the bishop Was ready TO stand
by him.
The welfare of the Episcopalia n
church aud OF the whole United
States requires that some plain speak
ing be done ut this time he eN-
planned. The proposition to unite
the divorced scion OF the Aston family
with an unknown young girl furnish
ed concrete example,
Canon Enacted in Richmond.
The Episcopalian church is no
longer to be branded as the exclusive
property OF the rich. II is no longer
"a church in which bishops connive
with plutocrats for ecclesiastical sane
tion OF divorces and remarriages
Fashionable New York Chicago.
Pittsburg, San Francisco. Philad del
phia and people of all classes every
where must be taught that this change
has come upon us. Not only did |
intend 10 serve notice upon all clergy
mon of the Episcopalian church that
they must obey the canon enacted
years ago ia Richmond, but / also
meant to call this marriage to the
attention of ministers of all faiths
SO that they too might close their
churches against this purpose o.
Astor.
70 Pierpunt Morgan was one al
those who worked for the enactme n,
Of this canon. Mr.. Astor will no,
find Morgans influence arrayed with
MIN In the eUort winch ne VIII un-
doubtedly make to find complacen,
clergyman. OF course, he can always
get a justice of the peace, but he
and that fashionable set want a
church wedding above everything
else.
Forces Are Climbers.
II know this pretty intimately.
was in Newport only last week and
| ran down to Narragansett pier once
In n while. / have ministered to those
people and know what manner Of
lives they lead. They believe their
money will buy everything, women
churchly sanction, worldly approval
immunity from retribution.
This Aston matter has to do with
integrity and the quality of the Epis-
copaltan church. The Astors. includ-
ing John Jacob Aster. are professec
members OF our community. I don't
know anything about the Force fam.
lily. They appear to be merel,
climbers. dazzled by the Astor mil
lions 1t Is impossible. under all the
conditions. that an Episcopaliar