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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA 5 DIVORCE AND THE BIBLE oince the last issue of i he bulletin tne bureau has sent out about 33,UUU copies of *Y\n Open Letter to Our Protestant Friends.” It was a clear-cut chal lenge and at least one of the puDlicicy committee was of the opinion that its sending would be detrimental to our work. In brief form it set torth the Biolical texts against the severance of the marriage tie, ar raying them against a recitation ot the causes for, or grounds on which the State permits, divorce. 1 he conclusion is inevitable: the Bible and the State laws state at directly opposite points. 1 he motive of the Association in issuing the letter was of the best, but some of us feared it would be misconstrued and, therefore, be made the occasion of a new attack on Georgia Catholics. I hat these fears were groundless is proved by scores of letters. In fact, for one antagonistic we have received ten indorsing the sentiments of the leaflet and decrying the great evil of divorce. And most singular of all, those who wrote against the letter in most instances gave no names, but hid their abuse behind anonymity. One wrote us “How Ab surd,” and another said we were simply trying to overthrow the State and thereby secure the ascend ency of the Pope in America. Little was said about the letter in the press which, the experience of the publicity department says is a good sign; for where there is desire to attack much gets into print and where there is not most of the Georgia editors say nothing rather than praise anything Catholic. But, as is The Bulletin way, we prefer that the letters speak for themselves. It is not possible to print many of them, but the below-given are typical of the various kinds received: Atlanta, Ga. Your way of treating the question of divorce in a pamphlet recently sent me was just the right one, according to my view. “Thus saith the Lord” is worth more to me than books full of folk opinion. The subject was one about which I have given little thought except to leave it alone and keep every one I can away from it, too. Nevertheless the authority of the Scriptures is undisputable, and their backing is always added strength to any moral sub ject. Columbus, Ga.— I beg to acknowledge receipt of your “Open Letter to Our Protestant Friends,” and wish to say that I thoroughly approve of and indorse everything you have to say. I am a member, however, of the Episcopal Church, and as you probably know we do not allow re-mar riage of divorced persons, except in the case of an innocent party in divorce for adultery, and there is a strong movement in the Church to eliminate this one exception, as it seems to be doubtful if it was really intended. I thank you for your circular and will keep same for reference. I will always endeavor to do all I can to promote education and proper laws on this subject. Atlanta, Ga. 1 am pleased to receive your “Open Letter to Our Protestant Friends,” and would thank you to send me other booklets that you may have at your disposal. I have always assumed the attitude concerning religion that every one is justified accord ing to their belief. I believe that religious sects, like persons, have their faults. Griffin, Ga.—In reading your literature and par ticularly that part that refers to marriage, you lay great stress on the saying “That what God hath joined together let no man put asunder,” and I agree with you in that statement, and if a couple be joined by God nothing on earth can sever them. Poverty and sickness would only make them love one another more and today 1 had rather live in the most humble and obscure part of any town with a good woman (my wife) and have the bare necessities of life than to live at the finest hotel and have an untrue wife or be untrue to her, but gentlemen, you do not con tend that, because these words are merely said by a preacher, and as you admit a Protestant marriage is legal and binding. Surely many marriages are made and recorded any where but in Heaven, and with due reverence to the Almighty He was no where around when the con tract was made. Sad personal experience has taught me that, and to use a homely expression the “proof of the pudding is the eating thereof.” I will also make another statement that if about half of those married now and living together were separated they and all concerned would be better off. How is God pleased and society benefited by two persons contin ually nagging at each other? Best wishes to you, gentlemen. Chauncy, Ga.—Yours of the 3d with enclosure noted. Some time last year you mailed to my ad dress “Catholics and Marriage,” and I read it with pleasure and refreshed my memory by reading the last one. I was impressed with the facts therein con tained, and believe that if all the Protestant branches of the Christian Church were more outspoken in the sacred rights of marriage entered into by their com municants, much of the divorce evil would be cured. I see no reason why Catholics and Protestants can’t present a more united front in the future than the past, in working for the uplift of humanity and glory of God. Bainbridge, Ga. Your argument in this matter is correct. Protestant Churches of today have no more use for the Holy Scriptures than a pig has for a dress suit. I was born and raised in the Methodist Church, was an active worker in it for many years, but when