DIVORCE by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 7, 1881

DIVORCE.

By James White

A PERSON signing himself, “A Commandment Keeper,” in Chicago, Ill., asks:—

“Is divorce allowed under the present dispensation for any cause?”

It surely is. We do not see how the words of the Saviour could be more plain than they are on this subject. “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery.” This exception is as explicit as can be, making one and only one cause which can justify a divorce.

We do not wonder that questions are continually asked on this subject, considering how easily divorces may be obtained under our State laws, for almost every imaginable reason; and how slight a hold the marriage tie has upon the hearts and consciences of the mass of the people. We have some statistics in our hands, showing the great increase in number of divorces according to population, which are startling. The New England States are falling sadly into the background in this matter. We cannot see any reason for the Catholic faith on this subject, that marriage is a sacrament of the church, and the bond indissoluble. Marriage is an original ordinance, the same as the Sabbath, instituted in Eden, in man’s innocency. It is a sacred institution, and should be regarded and respected as such by all.

We think our divorce laws are seriously faulty Reason would teach us, and observation proves, that where divorces may be obtained for so many and such slight reasons, the marriage tie will be little respected by a large class, and marriage will be contracted without much consideration of the sacred nature of the obligation. That obligation will thoughtlessly be taken up which may easily be thrown off. While we think the Catholic reason is faulty, we can but regret that Protestants are setting a bad example by sanctioning the practice of “putting away” “for every cause,”—a practice condemned by our Saviour.

Another question is often asked: “If a man puts away his wife for the cause specified by the Saviour, is he permitted to marry again?” The Saviour’s words touch this point also; they show that, if a man puts away his wife and marries another, except if she be put away for fornication, he commits adultery. We do not see how the conclusion can be avoided that a man is permitted, by the words of our Saviour, to procure a divorce for this one cause, and to marry another. Yet we can appreciate the position of those whose feelings recoil from the idea of a second contract of this sacred nature. But however much our feelings may turn toward, and fond memories clusters around, a first marriage, we are obliged to assent to the permission granted by the Saviour. And let us not judge those who have acted according to this permit. J. H. W.