The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-10-14
When Delegates Decide To
Elect A Ruling Bishop
Fear Holder Of Office viii
Become An American Pope"

new YORK, OCTOBER lU-PropOSeu
church legislation on marriage and
divorce occupied the attention of the
House of Deputies today at the trien-
nial general convention of the Protest
ant Episcopal Church.
Discussion of the me temere" pro-
| mitigation of the Roman Catholic
| Church, regarding marriage between
| Catholics and non-Catholics, led to
suggestion on the floor that the
| Episcopal church agitate before Con-
gress a constitution amendment pre-
scribing definitely what shall consti-
tute validity of marriage in this coun-
| try.
The Diocese of Western New York
requested the convention TO consider
the situation created by the Roman
Catholic promulgaton, the diocese
urging that the marriage tie should
not be dealt with other than as the
holy scriptures and the laws of this
land based thereon allowed"
Rev. Dr.. J. w. Ashton, of Olean, N.
Y, offered a resolution that, the
House of Bishops concurring, spec
ial commission of five Bishops, five
presbyters and five laymen be ap-
pointed to consider and report to the
next general convention the whole
subject of marriage, and especially
ON the grounds of assumed authority
| of the Church of Rome to declare
that only those marriages are valid
which are contracted according to
| the terms of ne temere decree SO
far as the operation of said decree
affects members of this communion
who contract mixed marriages"
The suggestion that the church
seek enactment of an amendment to
the United States Constitution was
formally made by DR.. Ashon after a
discussion of the matter. The reso.
luton and the Ashton amendment
were referred to the Committee on
Canons.
Similar action was taken on a reso-
luton to amend Section of Canon SO
to read, mo minister knowingly, az
ter due inquiry, shall solemnize the
marriage of any person who has been
the husband or wife of any person
then living from whom he or she has
been divorced for any cause arising
after marriage"
A resolution also referred to the
Committee on Canons authorized that
a commission be appointed to report
to the next general convention, suit
able legislation whereby discipline of
this church, relating to holy matri-
mony, shall be plainly set forth"
An amendment to the church rule,
providing that the Primus, or Presid-
ing Bishop, shall be elected for a
term of three years instead of as
suming the Office by right of seniority
was passed today.
During the discussion of this
high-churcn and low-church factions
were sharply drawn for the first time
in the session. Many of the low
church men did not hesitate to de
clare the passing of this amendment
meant that the holder of he office
would become the American Episco
pal Pope"
The vote on this amendment, the
only one voted upon, showed 5s dio
ceses voting in favor and s voting
: against
| The Gala diocese presented mem
: orlal, providing the title page of the
prayer book should be amended t.
| read "the book of common prayer
: and demonstration of the saera
. ment and other rites and ceremonies
? of the Holy Catholic Church, accord
ling to the use of that branch thereo