Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-04-19

SeIS IN "oroy now
Refusing at first to even discuss
his suit for divorce, Mr.. Morris later
engaged in q wordy newspaper con-
troyersy with the official board Of
his former Denver charge when It
was charged that he had quit the
church and ministry 10 get a divorcC
which is not sanctioned by the
Church-and that he denounced tho
evil from the pulpit. Replying to the
church Mr.. Morris denied the allega-
tons and said that he could not pay
his bills on the salary ne received.
AT the time he resigned here to so
70 Denver he felt he said, that the
new field gave wider scope" Tor him
and presented great opportunities
Mrs. Morris refused to discuss the
case for publication.
Petition lons Suppressed.
The following accounts OF the SEN
saton. under huge headlines were
published by the Denver Post under
successive dates Of Anril u, II and
18, as the story developed:
After years of aggressive activity
in upholiing the doctrinal law Of his
church against the institution Of d.
vorce, except for scripturaI cause
Dr.. c. H Morris. former pastor Of
che Central Christian church Of Den
yer. has set aside his own religious
convictions by filing an action
against his wife, Mrs. Ethel Nc
DougaI Morris, in the county court.
The grounds cited are general acts
Of cruelty Both principals refuse TO
discuss their marital differences, but
it is known that incompatibility is
the underlying cause.
Church Officers Shocked.
THAT the breach between the cou-
pie has been IN existence for some
time and OF late has been steadily
widening, IS indicated by a state
ment issued by DR.. ]. r. Durrett
chairman Of the board Of elders OF
the Central Christian church.
1.-The Central Christian church
followed the leadership Of DR.. and
Mrs. Morris for almost half decade,
with love and loyalty, and so far az
the church Is concerned never knew
that any difference existed in the
household, the family always appear
ing TO be beautifully devoted TO each
other the statement says. The cou-
pie became actually separated and
divorce papers had been served be-
fore even the officers Of the church
knew what had happened.
1.-The officers of the church and
our pastor, Or. J. E. Davis, have
labored in vain to effect an adjust
ulent.
Church Against Divorce.
The Christian church does not
believe IN divorce, except for scrip
tural cause, upholds the scriptures
against It, and sustained DR.. Norris
In his ministry when he preached
gainst divorce and greatly depre-
Gates this choice Of a course from
which DR.. Morris will not be moved"
REV. James E. Davis, present pas
tor Of Dr. Morris former charge,
said:
"I have known DR.. Morris and
Mrs. Morris IN their work since their
college days. l have never had &C.
casion to do other than hold them IN
high esteem. l knew nothing OF any
differences between them until about
Aprl /. I have done everything
could, by prayer and personal appeal
to each one, as a faithful pastor in
an endeavor to avert the disaster.
81 regret with deep and sting
ing sorrow the widening OF this
chasrn between the two
"ous Of the friends Of the couple
asserted that the chasIn between
them, 1t is now said. can never be
pridged.'
DIR. Morris refused TO make any
comment. Mrs. Morris said!
81 certainly have nothing to say
sho,,t the affair. I will not discuss
Il at all, with the papers or with any
one else. 1t Is not, in my opinion a
r,e+-e- for discussion by outside par
ties
Mr.. Morris Talks.
"stung into speech by the report
that he had resigned from the minis
try last October to be free to oesln
divorce proceedings, the Row =. r.
Norris, broke his silence to make an
emphatic denial Of the qsDort,
AT resigned from tbs pastorate OF
the Central Christian church because
If I'll health, and for financial rea-
sons, DR.. Morris asserted.
The divorce had nothing to DO
with my action, greatly deplors the
publicity that has been given the az
fair. az had besn assured there
would be no publicity whatever. !
regret 1t on Mrs. Morris account
more than any other.
Says Was In Debt.
",At the time decided to quit the
ministry, was broken in health, due
in part to worry over money matters
and partly TO the fact that I had been
working too hard, without vacation
q. .corA than a year. 81
n was in debt, and could see no
prospect of getting out as long as
remained In the ministry. When
man Is past 40 and gets into debt, ne
begins to wonder how he Is to pay on
his debts out of salary that is no
larger today than It was fifteen years
ago, The opportunity came to get
into business, and resigned from
the ministry, That Is ali there is 70
it-except that ] believed ! was justi-
fed, and believe 50 still!
"sWhen I resigned from the Central