Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-05-25
Ministers Plan Curb Oh Eloping
Couples.

Rockville, whose reputation as a Gretna
Green has of late years become somewhat
unenviable. will not continue to be the
stage upon which more or less inebriated
couples, slipping away at night from their
friends and families, will in future enter
into the solemn state Of matrimony, two
OF the ministers here have decided, if they
can bring it about. it has been learned.
In the past ministers have frequently
been called upon at all hours of the night
to leave their homes and 90 elsewhere to
perform marriage ceremonies under more
or less spectacular conditions that would
bring undue notoriety to all concerned
thereby subjecting themselves and the
town to unfavorable criticism.
The Rev. M. F. Minnick. pastor of Christ
Episcopal Church, president of the Rock
vile Ministerial Association, said
ii wish law would be enacted to cur
tail this practice to some extent II creates
bad impression in the public mind tow
ard ministers OF the gospel when it can be
said that they are careless in exercising
this all-imp0rtant function of a minis
ter. | have always refused to perform
marriage ceremonies for divorced people,
inebriated couples, or, in fact. any persons
when have any cause to suspect such
action would not be in accord with the
highest moral and spiritual obligations of
a minister. think we should have law
that would require at least As hours in
term between the time the license is oh
tanned and the ceremony performed"
Several of the ministers have decided, it
was learned, that they would perform no
marriage ceremonies except in their own
homes, in churches or in the homes of the
contracting parties for the numerous cou-
Piles from Washington. Virginia and other
sections who flock to Rockville TO obtain
licenses. Mr.. Minnick said further:
THE marriage laws of the State of Mary
land are lax. Justices of the Peace and
Judges are not permitted to perform mar
riage ceremonies. Only ministers of the
gospel may do that Even then, as I'M
derstand 1t, any person may clam to be IA
minister and officiate at weddings. since
no checkup is required as TO his identity,
nor does he have to furnish the authorities
with evidence that he is actually an Or
dained minister. In Virginia, the con-
tracing parties must be at least q years
old; in the District of Columbia. they must
furnish the name Of the minister at the
time of applying for the license In Mary
land. no such impediments are to be found.
This should be changed. in my opinion.
The Rev. b. w. John. pastor of the Rock
vile Methodist Church. said II am en-
trely in agreement with MIR. Minnick' s
views upon this subject. am certain the
present practices Of abusing the marriage
ceremony should be abolished.
While the County Ministerial Associa =
ton has not as yet acted upon the matter.
for the reason that il has not been brought
before ii at any meeting, il is indicated
that il will be the subject of grave discus D..
sion at an early date.
The Rev. B. M. OsgOod, pastor of the
Rockville Baptist Church. said he does not
believe newspapers should print anything
at this time about the situation.
The Rev. Henry X. Pasma. pastor of the
Rockville Presbyterian Church. said: II
am in thorough accord with Mr.. Minnick :
views upon this very important subject.
Perhaps | would 60 further than he sug-
gests in the way of legal safeguards to
the marriage institution: but he iseXactly
right all the way through. think ii is
very proper the newspapers should publish
the facts about the conditions"
The Rev. S. j. Goode pastor of the Rock.
vile Christian Church. said; IL don't think
any minister should marry people who are
under the influence of liquor. Ihave never
d0oe il that know of. and | will not.
think the matter is too sacred to abuse in
that way. OF course. occasionally persons
come long distance TO Rockville and ar.
rive there in the night. Other things be.
ing all right. see no reason why they
should not be married. agree with Mr.
Minnick in his general views
/ The Rev. j. 7. COOlahan. pastor Of the
Rock Vile Catholic Church said that n,
agrees with the position taken by thos'
ministers who desire TO curtail some of III,
evils attendant upon a too promiscuou
use Of a minister's privilege of performing
marriage ceremonies.