DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1561, 3 October 1912, Page 7

DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.

■'PRESBYTERIANS ON MARRIAGE *' ■ QUESTION. isy Telegraph—Press Assoclation-OopyriKht : ' ' . . Melbourne, October 2. The Presbyterian Assembly rejected a motion referring.the question of the marriage of a deceased wife's sister to the Pan-Presbyteriari Council sitting ot Aberdeen, Scotland, in June, 1914. ' An amendment was carried to the effect that an .alteration bo made in the Confession of Faith, declaring that such a marriage should not bo visited by ecclesiastical censure or the inflicticn of disability upon tho minister performing the marriogo or tho parties to it.

In the report of the sub-committee of the Assembly, on re-marriage of divorced persons, it was stated that as regards tho question of marriage with a deceased wife's sister the committee held that the duration should be referred tn the PanPresbyterian Council, to be held in Aberdeen next year. Dr. Harper (N.S.W.), in moving the adontion of the report, said it was a remarknble thing that if anyope could bo found to marry a man to his eister. daughter, or granddaughter it •would be ■ valid under the law of Victoria,, and the children would be legitimate. Such marriage was only voidable if an appeal were made V one of the parties during his or her' lifetime. Thot showed that the State laws could not be followed > bj' the Church. If they agreed to' niarriatre with deceased wife's sister it wonld add a new torment to the life of every woman in that her husband might becomo too fond of her sister.