1927-01-11 — Page 8

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 11th, 1927.

THE ENGLISH

CHURCH AND DIVORCE.

DEAN INGE'S OPINION.

HISTORICAL PRECEDENT AND MODERN PRACTICE.

LAXITY IN MODERN ENGLISH SOCIETY.

No modern churchman commanda more attention among laymen than the Very Rev. W. R. Lage, Dean of St. Paul's. This is largely because he puts the ecclesiastical view without relinquishing a real grasp of modern actualities Dean Enge is never fanctical, he never judges without understanding. The following analysis of the attitude of the Christian Church, past and present, on the vexed subject of divorce should be of general interest;

Public opinion has pronounced ; Church of Rome has found sa con- very decidedly against the Papalvenient, and perhaps so lucrative. decree of nullity in a notorious case. But the laity are not willing to It is not surprising that many have accept the most rigorous interpreta- recalled the mediavat rhyme that tion of the, disputed texts in, the the Roman Curia, loves a sheep with Gospels, A good fesce:

"

Curia Romana non curat avem

sine lana; Dantes exaudit; non "dantibus

ostia claudit”

Without expressing any persona! opinion, about this case, it may be interesting to summarise the atti tude of he differant churches on the question of divorce.

The teaching of Christ Himself on the subject is unfortunately doubt ful. In the opinion of most modern scholars, the exception which in our version is allowed, except for fornication," is not part of the original text, so that our Lord's prohibition of divorce is in form absolute.

Again, there is much uncertainty as to the meaning of the word trans lated "fornication," which is not the usual word for "adultery Augustine suggests that it covers not only unchastity, but idolatry and avarice!" Lastly, the excep- tion, even if it cannot claim the direct authority of Christ, is a very early interpretation of His mea ing, Accepted by the Church as cor- rect. 1 is probably best to sup. pose that Christ was not legislating for the Church-a thing which Ee never did. He was laying down the general principle that the marriage bond ought to be held inviolable.

WAJ

The Ne Tamere " Decred. St. Paul advises, on his own authority, that if a heathen partner (it would generally be the husband) wished to break of a marriage, the Christian partner

"free"-- free, that is, to marry again. This is the foundation of the Roman Canon law that a marriage between a Christian and an unbeliever may be dissolved by mutual consent. In 1907 Pope Leo X. published the famous Ne

temere decree, whereby & marriage between a Catholic and Protestant is null

and void unless it is celebrated in the presence of a priest and in a Roman Church, and unless there is guarantee that the children will be brought up as Catholics.

The Roman Church claims the right to annul a marriage on these and other grounds, but not to grant divorce with right of remarriage. A woman can only free herself at the price of admitting that she has all the time been only her husband's

mistress.

They point out very reasonably that the exception in the case of post-nuptial unchastity has very early ecclesiastical authority, and that the primitive Church was will in to accept it as coming from the Founder Himself.

Bishops' Compromise. ¦

Farther, it is felt that to debar an innocent and injured partner from subsequent remarriage is a cruel injustice. Even among the Anglican clergy there is much dif fercace of opinion; it is chiefly among the Anglo Catholics that there is a disposition to uphold the most rigorous Roman theory, The bishops in conference, have recor mended a compromise. If the inno cent party remarries in a register office, he or she is not to be refused the Holy Communion, but it is undesirable that such marriages should be solemnised in church.

LOCAL GOLF.

THE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

RESULTS OF QUALIFYING

ROUND.

The qualifying round of the Junior Championship of the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club was played

YACHTING.

A CORRECTION IN NAVAL DAY EVENT.

Ia our report yesterday of Naval Day at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, it was inadvertently stated that the Navy accured a lead on the day of 99 points, and that on the result of the two races the Royal

at Fanling on Sunday. The boat Hong Kong Yacht Club are now one cards were returned by G. F. Lam-point down. mert and A. Somerfelt, both of whom went round in 88.

G. P. Lammert

This is incorrect On Sunday's' race, the Navy only secured a lead The following sixteen players of six points on the total points qualify:-

registered. The Club led by 11 points on the morning race, and the Navy by 17 on the afternoon event, On the race in November the Club led by 95 points, so that the Club ate si leading, but by a margin of 15 points. **

A. Romerfelt

88 88

J. 8. McLaren

D. Ferbes cour

88

T. S. Whyte-Smith

80

A. E. Lissamaa

W. J. Clerk

U. B. Layton

C. B. Robertson

W. C. Bonnar E. Greensmith Taylor

A. D. Humphreys

A. O. Brawa

A. K. Henderson

A. C. I. Bowker

Other scores were as under:

A: Leach

E A. Brodie

W. Ironside

"A. EL" Wood"

D. G. Bruce E. Grimble

T. Ramsey

H. R. Cleland

S. T. Batlin

F. H. Crapnell C. A. Peall JY. Alabaster

841

94

$4

05

97

97

97

The apparent inconsistency of this attitude-is-sometimes justified by the argument that collusion in divorce is so common that the in nocent party is by no means al- ways innocent, nor even the "guilty party" always guilty. If a clergy. man were obliged to remarry in church all innocent divorcees, be might have to perform a cere mony which to his knowledge was ontrary to the law of God for there is no difference of opinion that a guilty couple ought never to GIRLS' DASH FROM BLAZING have the blessing of the Church on their union.

Many regret that the marriage of an adulterer and his paramour is not forbidden by the State. Such a law might prevent many happy homes from being broken up.

LADIES EVENT.

Gry CHAMPIONSHIP RACE.

LAWN TENNIS.

H. K. C. O. ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS,

The programme and entry forms for the annual lawn tennis tourba- ment of the Hong Kong Cricket Club, which will commence on March 1st will be circulated in the course of a day or two and entries will close on the 29th idat.

The chief events of the tourna- meat are as usual, the Open Singles and Open Doubles Championship of the Colony and it is expected that all the well-known local ax. ponents who competed last year will take part again except Capt. West and Ho Ka Lau who have left the Colony. Contrary to expectations Wei Wing Lok will leave before the tournament starts. Major Hattersley- Smith is at present away, but may return in time. T. Honds, the Colony's champion, is now in Japan and is expected to return Yesterday afternoon the Ladies' by the first week of March. Of Section of the Royal Hong Kong the others, R. I. B. Hancock, ex- Yacht Club aniled their eth Cham-champion, Ng Em Kwong, ex-· pionship race.

champion, Ng Ste Cheung, B. E The wind was favourable, and Green; ex-champion, F. A. Red-" there was some good sailing. The mood, Col. Russell Brown, Major? eduras was lover a" distance of six W. B. Stevenson, R. E. Tottenham, miles, and was from the Club Mark Yer Man Tsun, Yew Man Kit, C. Ling to the Tamar, then to star-Chan, the Lo brothers, E. Q. Fin- board and back to Kowloon Rock,

cher, H. D. Ramjahn and 6. A.

and starboard back to the Club for

Runjaho, doubles champio

champions for a inish.

two years, are amongst the best.

Promising Nawcomers,

......... 97 The first round of the Junior Championship will be decided on Sunday, January 23rd; the second. Diane came in first in the Handi- round on Sunday, February 6th; cap class, but had to take fourth the semi-final on February 20th; place ce corrected time. The second and the final on March 13th. yacht home was Colleen, which won the race, and Dorothea which came in third was second on time.

The results follow:-

Handicap Class.

Finishing Corrected

FACTORY.

EXCITING FIRE SCENES IN EAST-END STREET.

Time. Time. 4.09.34 4.08.34 1.04.56 406.34

Nox that the civil grounds of London fog, says a London contem-orothed (ad)... 4.1.53

4.05.55 4.03.30

Linna Colleen (1st).... 4.09.26 Fire engines dashed through a

La Linda (3rd)... 4.10.34 porary to hand, narrowly missing. Falcon 4.15.20 divorce have been extended, it

buses, taxi-cabs, and pedestrians, seems inevitable that the Church in response to an alarm of fire

I, T. and G. Class. should recognise a double standard

43410 4.91.40 its own and that of the State. which had come from extensive toy Louium (1st) Churchmen who have taken advan-workshops and stores at the Lime jane

4.25.14 house end of Commercial-road, E.

---------- 6:45, 15 Bluture. (nd)... 4:23.38 4.23.08 tage of the laxer code may perhaps

The first messages received stated Why Wonder? 4.27.03 in the future be excluded from

424.35 Communion for a time and then that scores of girls were employed Pierrette

4.28.10 *4.24.10 readmitted. Permanent exclusion in the building, and that some of Ailsa

4.28.46 -4.28.46 4.29.09 4.96:09 has always been regarded as the them were trapped by the flames fo

Fortunately when the fire escapes Thedin (3rd) 4.29.45 4.23.43 reached the scene they found that Zephyr" Penalty for heinous crime only.

4:30.47 4.97.17 all of the girls in the building bad escaped safely.

#

It is said that the war has had an injurious effect upon publie morals, and this may be true. But the main cause vis the con- tempt for all. authority, and the tendency to regard all traditional morality as a system of anti quated taboos which may be dout- ed with impunity,

It is believed that the purity of

-

Contempt for Authority, Even those who think the Church of England too strict about divorce must admit that a needed against the shocking laxity firm stand is with which the marriage bond is In the Eastern Orthodox Church, regarded in modern society, and which has always been more or less especially among the titled Bristo under the power of the State, the cracy, who set an extremely bad rule has been much less rigid. Un-example in this respect. til the reign of Justinian, in the sixth century, mutual consent was admitted as a ground for divorce and many other offences besides adultery were accepted as sufficient reasons for dissolving a marriage.

Civil legislation has often differed from- écclésiastical Even Jerome." in the fourth century, says that in these matters the laws of the Cesars and these of Christ do not alwayi agree. But in the Middle Ages the Western Church gained almost com- plate control over the marriage law, There has never been a time when licentiousness was more univereat many bishops had troops of bas- tards; but in the strict sense "divorce" was not recognised. The catalier scrutate must retain his ambiguous position; he and his Experience has shown that mistress could never be married Church legislation must not differ during the lifetime of the husband. very widely from what public opinion In modern times, beginning with sanctions. It is generally believed Napoleon, civil legislation has not that there is more, not less, marital sought to conform itself to Canon unfaithfulness in countries where Law. The Code Napoleon allowed divorce is forbidden; and such divores by mutual consent. This transparent evasions as we hear of was repealed when the Bourbatis sometimes in the Church of Rome were restored, and has never been cannot increase the respect felt for revived, but between 1880 and 1800 its decisions.

unmarried girls, which has long been a source of pride to English people, has in very many cases been tarnished by the fashionable un bridled liberty. While these things are so, the Church must use some aternaess in maintaining its prin- ciples, even though it may lose some adherents by doing so.

|

Ordinarily between Afly and J. and H. Clasman, toy merchants, sixty girls are employed by Mesars, in their warehouse, but when the alarm of fire was raised the majority of them were out of the building at lunch. “

A few of them, however, were on the first floor and it was one of them, Miss Winnie Clark, who discovered the fire.

A few minutes later the girls had excaped into the street. Flames were bursting from every window on the top floor and it was seen that at least two of the rooms were en-

veloped. Large quantities of toys

were destroyed...

There was some panic in the district following a rumour that a number of girls had been trapped

-

NOEL COWARD AS A

FIEM STAR.

AUTHOR TO APPEAR IN ALL "BRITISH PRODUCTION.

It is also expected that the Navy and Scottish Borderers will be re presented. Tennis has, however, been out-of-SCHOR and little is known of the Navy players. Capt. Jobbie, the all round cricketer, of the Scottish Borderers, is no mean exponent and is a likely contender. He is the champion of the regiment. Lieut. Welch, of the same regiment, is also a good player:

O the local players, Lau Man Kwong has improved considerably and he is expected by his Chinese friends to do well this menson, A. A Komjann, champion of the Laivers for four consecutive years, may take part again, while Tottenham who was unexpectedly defeated up Major. Stevenson last year in the 3rd round, is playing better than beiore. The Portuguese will also participate, though they have at present no world beatera.” Doubles Changes.

The partnership of last year's runners-up, Major Prats and Major Stevenson, has been broken up, by the departure from, the Colony of the former and, it is not known

with whom Major Stevenson will play. Yow Mai Teun will, in all probability, partner his cousin, Yew Cables were received in London Mar Kit, in the absence of Ho recently from Mr. Noel Coward, Ka Lan. Tottenham and Redmond who is in California, which bring are likely to represent the Univer to a successful end protracted negosity. They will make a tough pair. tiations for an important series of **Other Events. British films.

As a result, the following Noel Coward plays have beencap

tured" from the Americans for British production: "The Vortex," "Easy Virtue," and "The Queen was in the Parlour." The produc- ing arm is Piccadilly Pictures, Ltd., Mr. Michael Balcon, joint at the top of the building, but when managing director with Mr. Carlyle & roll call was held in the fog it Blackwell, told me that Mr. was found that every one of the Coward will play in at least one staff was accounted for.

of the pictures, and thus make his Parents of some of the girls dash- | debut as a screen actor. ed to the scene, and many were

their daughters were safe.

13

sobbing till they discovered that

THE

MODERN. TYPE OF

BURGLAR.

"Our star, Ivor Novello, will also appear in one, possibly in

two," added Mr. Balcon.

Broadway Beaten,

as that of last year, consists also The programme, which is the same of Club Singles Championship, of

which 3. E. Gren is the holder. for

-1928 and 1926, and Singles Handi- capa A" and *B, Doubles Handicap and Mixed Doubles Handicap.

CAPT. E. W. MORRIS..

Capt Morris, Hon. Secretary of the United Services Recreation: Club for the last two years, has left the Colony for a short stay in Shanghai. His departure will be a loss not only to the U.B.R.C. viho are soon holding their Annual Lawn "In signing the contracts," he Tennis Tournament, but also to the continued, "Mr. Coward has done Kowloon Cricket Club- Capt. no small thing for British ln pro- Morris is a valuable player and duction. It has to remembered his place, will be hard to fill. Dur POLICE AND MAN WHO GOT that the Broadway theatrical in ing the past month he had been terests insist on obtaining the film in particularly good batting form SEVEN YEARS.

rights before they will stage & play. and has made some big scores, in- "But the author was determined cluding a century, not out, against that in this case the films should be H... Hermes on December 9th British. He gained his point. and 105 against the Hong Kong

* Easy Virtus? and

Cricket Club in the Army-HKO.C.

without the film rights, and are big Capt. Charles has been appoint Vortex were produced in America match on Boxing Day..

the American stage production of Services Recreation Club in the ab- Juccesses. Negotiations regarding ed Hon. Secretary to the United

The Queen was in, the Parlour sence of Capt. Morris, are in progress

Some remarkable particulars of a criminal career were given at the récent Leeds Assizes by a London detective."

most of the other provisions of the The Church ought to be g

be guided Code, including divorce for cruelty, by the best lay conscience, not at were restored In Spain the Charch taching too much importance to retained her grip over legislation ecclesiastical tradition, but refusing In the United States complete to make any compromise with loose- chaos prevails. In-South Carolina neas. There will probably be a sad Maryland divorce was, till Puritan reaction some day, when

Leopold Nash a smartly dressed quite lately, impossible in some the Church will be severely blamed athletic man described as a tailer, other States it is granted with the if it has made say persons and giving his age as 93, was found most cynical levity,

and unnecesañry surrenders.

guilty of stealing from the dwell The Church of England in theory The Roman Caria does not caringhouse of Mrs. Martha Birch, a tends to maintain the most rigid for a sheep without wool. It bears Leeds widow, jewellery value £50 Catholic doctrine, without admit those who give, but closes the door and ten £1 Treasury hotes. ting the subterfuges which the or those who don't.]

VESUVIUS, GROWS TALLER.

The shape of Mount Vesuvius wil

be changed in one year, said PIG

Detective-inspector. Sharpe, J. Division Metropolitan Police, said the police regarded Nish as a very PRAYING FOR RAIN AT clover climbing burglar. He was a convict on leave who was wanted - JERUSALEM.

for failing to report. He had pass- ed under any names, Miller and Mason amongst them, but his pro-

Jess on November 20th filled the

Batb

The

"Large finance is involved in the forthcoming series of British dima, through that friend of British pro- and this fits been forthcoming duction, Mr. C. H: Wooll. I should also like to record that the idea for these productions arose out of your suggestion in the Evening Stan dard.

*Treatments

ENGLAND'S RAT WEEK.

the national zal week at the begin-

The use of hydrocyanic gas

during ning of November is believed to have wiped out 500,000 rats

Lemor Malladra, director of the aynagogue in the old City of Jeru- per name was Kudroweier form the nucleus of anu, this year was 3,017-200 mare

„Vesuvius observáidzy; who was in-salem when a special service was His father was a Ttumian and his terviewed in consequence of the arranged by the Chief Rabbi to mother a Lithuanian, and both had volcano's recent activity. The com- pray for rain. The present drought been deported as undesirable aliens. ing change in due to the accumula has caused great hardship, especial- From 1914 to 1917 he served short tion of lava inside the cratory which is the poorer quarters, which terms of imprisonment, and for thus forms a cone. The beight of depend on rain to 511 the cisterns cat" burglaries had been sen the mantain has intressed by more which supply drinking water tenced to 21 months and three than eighty feet in three years, and Strest posters signed by rabila a years penal servitude. the heat is so intense that rainwater pealed to Jews to suspend all work evaporates before it reaches the ground.

and pray to God to send down the blessed rain on Jerusalem.

He was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude.

"These

The bag of Mr. William Dalton, the official rat catcher, to the City of London, and his assist-

our next year's programme, which than last year, The rats were caught will also include the Ivor Novello mainly in traps nefs, and cages-in Down Hill and One of the hotels, restaurants, warehouses, and Beat, the well-known melodrama. offices within a quarter, of a mile pared in advance in each case, and of buildings in course of demolition "Treatments are to be pre-radius of St. Paul's. The number

important work will be en aided the hunters,

trusted to the Hon. Ivor Montagu, Seven hundred London trapped who is Already associated with our fats were sent to Holland for bradaction Apres la Guerre."

vivisection.

HANDCRAFT

Wood Carving

ancient and modern It has been the delight of crafts- men of all ages to transform plain solid material into a wonder of design and embellishment. A trans formation which could only be achieved by hand.

It is the same spirit of handcraft allied with

pure golden

Virginia leaf which produces the World's most fainous cigarettes.

STATE EXPRESS

VIRGINIA

CIGARETTES

555

Made by hand One at a time!

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