The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-06-07
VICAR WHO we'd.
DUKE, 'VALLY',
EXPLAINS ACT
Says Church, Government
Will Regret Stand; Lat
ter Fears Boomerang"

DARLINGTON, Eng, June Z.
(UP)-The Rev. Robert Ander-
son Jardinc last night told his
Pensioners in n sermon that his
defiant decision to mark the
Duke and Duchess of Windsor ha"
restored the faith of many in
God and the church"
The round-shouldercd vicar.
known in Yorkshirc's working
class districts as "the poor mans
palson," said that bath the churci
of England hierarchy headed by
the Archbishop Of Canterbury and
the government certainly will re-
greet their action
He referred to the church's os
tarcism of the wedding and the
governments refusal to allow any
members of the ROYAL family OF
persons in British public life to
witness the elimination of "thc
worlds greatest romance"
81 believe" the vicar told the
more than 500 persons who crowd
ed ST. Paul'S church for the
eagcrly-awaited Sunday night SER
mon, "that ! have saved the gov
eminent and church Of this coun-
try from inevitable regrets in the
years to come.
"They would not authorize a
religious ceremony for his royal
highness. and it is sure they GER
tainlv will regret their action.
"Through my simple action the
faith of many has been restored
in God and the church"
Long before the mild-manner-
ed vicar-he was scarcely known
outside his parish until the eve of
the dukes marriage to Mrs. War
field last Thursday-appcarcd in
the pulpit the church was cram
med to capacity.
More than three fourchs of the
congregation were women.
Despite the subject Of his ser
mon there was an atmosphere OF
reverence, rather than curiosity.
Rv. Jardne spoke as though he
had no fear Of punishment at the
hands of his ecclesiastical super
iOrS.
1t was reported that the gov.
eminent has discrcetly informed
newspapers which were favorable
to it during the abdication crisis
that further mention OF attacks
upon the vicar by other clergy
men may act as Il boomerang
and tend to create sympathy fol
the exiled duke.
For his text for the evenSonp
service, he chose the topic of love
and the influence which queens
of Biblical times had on heir coun,
tries.
Though | speak with the tom
CUES of men and angels and
have not charity. ] have become
as sounding brass and tinkling
cymbal."
He said that all through the
ages the hand of divine provid-
encc could be traced.
an my case" he said, sin
marrying the Duke of Windsor,
the hand of God began to move
slowly in the form Of a little scrap
of paper which ! have here in my
hand. It is newspaper clipping
which says no religious ceremony
for Duke of Windor.'
"From that moment, became
in the hands of God Just a simple
channel for Gods will to be car
ried out in this matter.
"The Duke of Windsor was q
member of the royal family: he
had given great service to the en-
pire for 25 years and the greatest
desire in his heart and that Of
the lady he was marrying was to
have a religious ceremony. He
not only wanted it but sought it
and could not find it.
ale was overjoyed when he
found that his hearts desire was
possible.
care we back in the middle
ages when popes could make
kings stand shivering in the cold?
1--WE should remember: Let him
who is without sin cast the first
stone
81 was simple country parson
who was destined to perform that
simple ceremony. | did perform
it. 1t was a simple ceremony
and all the powers could not have
stopped it before the will of God
had been accomplished.
81 did not seek publicity, as
you gentlemen of the press, who
are here now, know very well.
During the sermon many of the
women in the congregation wept,
especially when he said, in end
ing his words:
Faith, hope and love; these