WORTHINGTON AND PASTOR BIRCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5328, 5 August 1895, Page 2

WORTHINGTON AND PASTOR BIRCH.

In the meantime Mr Worthington called ' upon the Rev W. Birch, and requested him to perform the marriage service on the following Tueeday, and this gentleman thinking that he was bound by his license to marry any couple who applied to him, reluctantly agreed to undertake ; the oeremony. Not being quite satisfied ,' as to his position in the matter, however, j he consulted authorities, with the result j ( that he sent the following letter to Mr I Worthington: — i "Thursday Morning. Dear Sir,— lt has ; been .stated to me on authority that there | are legal impediments in the United States, 1 and I was requested to refer to the United I States Consul in Auckland, who, it is said, I is in a position to show that; legal impedi- { ments do exUt. The generally accepted j opinion is that Sister Magdala stands before the world as your wife, and it would be morally wrong for you to marry another .woman during her life. In these circumstances I could not perform the ceremony of marriage on your behalf, and at the earliest moment I inform you of this.*— Tours, &c, «W. Bihch, Pastor." To this Pastor Birch received the following reply :— "Temple of Truth, " Christohurch, N.Z. " My Dear Brother,— Tours of this date, declining to perform my marriage oeremony, is received. In reply, permit me to say there is no impediment, legal or otherwise, to such marriagt, or I assure you I would not put myself into the bands of such enemies. The United States Consul at Auckland can have no such information, as is stated to you, and the official opinion you quote re Sister Magdala is a very weak one, however official. Much as I regret the awkward incident, believe me, my dear sir, when I say I would much prefer your declination than your officiating under any mental reservation as to the moral question. The Registrar will act for me. — Sincerely yours, « " A. B. WOBTHINGTON."