Religion: Presbyterian Divorces

Presbyterian rule has held that only desertion and adultery are legitimate grounds for divorce. In this Presbyterians have been more liberal than most Christian denominations. Most admit only adultery as a divorce cause. A Presbyterian minister might properly marry a divorce only if the person were the innocent derelict of desertion or the innocent cheat of adultery. And, because the minister has had free discretion to judge marital innocence, amiable pew-holders occasionally have tried to strain his goodwill.

Dr. James Palmer, long associate rector at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in...

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