MARRIAGE WITH DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3666, 14 April 1883, Page 3

MARRIAGE WITH DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.

[TO THE EdITOH OF THE DAILY TtXEGEAriI.] Sir, —Yesterday afternoon the Dean of Christchurch moved in the Synod, "That this Synod recognises the prohibition of marriage Avith a deceased wife's sister as the hiAV of the Christian Church, .based on the AVord of God, and holds accordingly that any clergyman of the Church of this Province of Ncav Zealand would be justified in refusing to solemnise such a marriage." It is impossible, of course, at this stage to say Avhether the above resolution will be carried or not. But I Avould point out that, as the law of this countiy permits such marriage, and that, as the State, licenses clergy to marry, any clergyman refusing to perform or solemnise the marriage of a man with his deceased Avife's sister Avould lay himself open to an action at hnv. There is another point Avhich the Synod perhaps Avould do Avell to bear in mind. A constant theme ter pulpit discourse is the gradual Aveakening of the influence of the church OA-er the minds of fiie people, and the spread of free-thought. If the church through itsSynod boldly sets itself in opposition to thelaws of the land, and to the Avishes of th© people, Avil' it not hasten the time Avhen the Church Avill luive no influence at all ? "Be ye as aviso as serpents, kc," is an injunction that should not be lost sight of. T3ic Synod Avould do Avell not to d'.scuss the subject, because it may bo unpleasantly reminded that it is not necessary to go to church at all te get mariied r—l am, kr„, C. AY. Napier, April 1-1, 18S3.