The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-14
Both Clergy and Laymen Ma
jOrity Opposed 1t.
Canon Would Prohibit Remar-
riage of Divorces.
INNOCENT WOULD SUFFER?
Would Drive Men and Women
Out of Church.
Problem Must Be Met With
Present Day Methods.

st. Louis, Mo-, Oct. 1.-THE pro-
posed change in the canons of the
Protestant Episcopal church, forbid
ding the re-marriage of persons di-
vorced for causes arising after mar
riage, regardless of the cause, was re-
jected by the house of deputies of the
general convention today.
The proposed canon failed of adop-
ton because of non-concurrence of the
clerical and lay delegates.
The delegates voted by dioceses. The
clerical delegates approved the pro-
posed cannon by a vote of 4012 to
24A. The lay delegates rejected by a
vote of 29 affirmative to 32% mega
tive.
The rejection of the canon leaves
the present church law unchanged.
Under this law, an Episcopal clergy
man can perform the marriage cere-
mony for the innocent party to a di-
vorce granted on statutory grounds,
provided the evidence in the case first
has been submitted to the diocesan
bishop and he agrees that the evil
dence was sufficient for the granting
of the divorce.
The fight for the new canon was
led in the house of deputies by Rev.
Leighton Parks of New York The
opposition was led by DIR. R. H. Nc
Kim of Washington.
Aroused Heated Debate.
st. Louis. Mo-, Oct. 14-Discussion
of the proposal to enact church law
forbidding a clergyman to perform
re-marriage ceremony regardless OF
the question of the supposed guilt"
or Innocence of divorced persons,
was resumed at today's session of the
house of deputies of the triennial con-
vention of the Protestant Episcopal
church.
The proposed canon, recommended
in the report of a commission ap-
pointed at the last general convention
to study the problem precipitated a
lively debate last Thursday and has
church. Speakers, arguing for it's
1option generally conceded that no
legislation of the church can put an
end to re-marriage, but asserted that
church to live up to its marriage SER
vice which binds a man and a woman
until death do us part"
How Can Clergyman Tell?
1t was pointed out that the present
canon, providing that cIergymen shall
not solemnize a marriage for a di
vorced person unless he or she was the
innocent party to the divorce, i'm
poses a difficult problem on the
clergy. particularly where a divorce is
believed to have been obtained by ac-
tual collusion. Other deputies urged
the adoption of the proposed canon
would cause the innocent to suffer
with the guilty and would drive
Christian men and women forced by
circumstances over which they had no
coatrol to obtain a divorce out of the
church. 1t was asserted the problem
is one which must be dealt with in
present day methods and not sin the
methods of a century ago."
Visitors to Preach Tomorrow.
Today was reunion and reception
day for most of the auxiliary associa-
tions of the church Following cor
porate communion at Christ church
Cathedral, early this morning, the va
rious associations began their meet
| ings. Several of the attending bishops
addressed civic organizations while
others were preparing sermons they
will preach from local pulpits tomor-
row. The only session of the confer
ence today was the conference on
| theological education by the general
board of religious education. Reports
| of various committees of the board
were read at the morning session and
the general discussion of the question
put over until this afternoon.
Ruction Over $4,000 Salary.
There was still much discussion to-
day among the bishops and deputies
on the question raised yesterday as to
| the $500 yearly salary of Bishop
Arthur Selden Lloyd of New York,
head of missions conference. Bishop
| Arthur c. A. Hall, Vermont, who was
rebuked for his demand that the sal
! airy be reduced, said today he would
not again attempt to introduce the
measure.
The action of Bishop Tuttle of st.
Louis. presiding bishop of the joint
/ session, in tabling the suggestion was
held proper by most of the members
| of the conference.