Evening journal., 1922-09-25
Pc. DIVORCE
CANONS STAND
Bishops Refuse Agreement
for Special Commission
on Question
PRAYER BOOK
BODY RETAINED

PORTLAND. Ore. Sept. 25.-The
closing hours OF the general conven-
tion OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States were
marked Saturday by the House OF
Bishops refusing to concur in action
of the deputies in referring to a
special committee the whole mar
riage question, including a proposed
absolute prohibition of remarriage
Of divorced persons.
The Rev. DIR. w. F. Tomkins. of
Philadelphia, had proposed revoking
the present exception granted for
the remarriage OF persons in cases
where divorce had been granted on
grounds Of infidelity.
A resolution passed both houses
continuing the prayer book commits
sion during the next three years.
The commission was instructed 10
make no further revision OF such
sections OF the prayer book as have
been acted upon by both houses at
the present session.
Service, unity and devotion to
Christian principles are emphasized
in the pastoral letter read at the
closing services.
The clergy and the laity OF the
church are enjoined in this letter TO
put the principles Of Christ into ef-
feet TO solve the present day prob
lems of industry. labor and Of fam
fly life. Outstanding passages in the
letter follow:
Service: II Is the lesson which
many of the members Of this church
have special opportunity 20 apply TO
industrial life. Were great corpora
tions to realize that they are and
must be primarily corporations for
public service, rather than for
private profit. It would be easier to
reply 10 agitators who threaten their
peace and prosperity.
"And. laborl The unions will be as
cordially hated as the most un-
popular Of industrial trusts II they
neglect the call TO serve while in
sisting on the right to have. Eff
fciency in labor. better work as
well as better wages-this must be
the program II industrial justice is
also demanded.
"Too many Of the generation INV
passing have been content to have,
10 hold and enjoy. We have been
so easily satisfied with low ideals OF
the religion Of Christ. Our con-
sciences have not been troubled
when the strong oppressed the
weak. We have been fearful TO in
auire too closely as to sources OF
wealth and methods OF production.
''The young people Of today are
exactly what we made them. Too
frequently have parents abdicated
their position Of direction and lead
ership. certainly they have not eXer-
cised strong spiritual influence by
example as well as precept In hold
ing up a simple and natural re-
ngious home life. Without a vital
faith. without definite standards OF
conduct having back Of them
divine sanctions. the level OF
popular moral opinions will steadily
become lowered. It has already been
terribly lowered through the menace
OF divorce. which encourages sell
fish and extreme individualism in |
disrupting the American home and |
POISONING the rNA mss "a -NN---- ~
I'VE have little sympathy with |
critics who adopt a censorious at
titude toward youth, always COM
plaining and generally condemning.
Freedom Of behavior and careless
ness Of speech may mean, and often
does mean. not lack Of courtesy or
consideration. but dislike Of conven-
tion, the desire to be natural and
human.
This Church has labored faith
fully in the case Of that unity for
which Christ prayed. Conferences on
unity will accomplish something;
plans for unity may bring Christians
of many names into fuller sympathy
and understanding and growing ap-
probation each of the others; but
only as we give ourselves fully and
free TO unselfish service can we
come together in unity Of life. we
must refuse 10 isolate the spiritual
life. So shall we find life in losing IT,
not merely as individuals. but as
church"