Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-06-19
Mafrhmar d gonrral.
General Convention at Rutland.

General Convention at Rutland.
The eighty-third annual meeting of the
General Convention of Congregational Min
listers and Churches OF Vermont al Rutland
last week, which we had the privilege Of at.
tending, was one of more than ordinary excel.
lence and interest. 1t was such in the num-
bers in attendance from first to last, and at
every session. in the practical quality and
ability of the papers prepared and presented,
and the discussions they drew out; in the
clearness and force with which the great
subjects of education at home and abroad,
missions in the state, home and foreign,
church building, extension and growth, and,
in short, all its appointments and exercises,
were taken up, carried forward and sus-
tanned. There was not one failure in part
appointed, nor can we recall one part per
formed but what was really practically and
well done giving to the whole far more than
ordinary interest and influence.
The convention had a new experience in
its presiding officer. d. NJ. Camp, Esq, of
Newport, filed the presidents chair, as he
did at the last session of the convention,
representing not only the intelligent and de
voted lay brethren of the church, but in a
sense the state and the press, for he is known
in both these departments of the common
wealth. We hardly need add that he pre-
sided with dignity and dispatch, honorably
to himself and the body he guided Ex-
Governor Page was chosen to the vice-presi-
dency of the body, and will in due course of
administration, we trust, come to the honor
of the chair.
Besides the subjects of direct church and
religious interest entertained by the conven-
ton, that of divorce, which has so largely
filed our courts of late, and been source
of corruption in the family and neighbor-
hood, and Of scandal throughout the state
and beyond, came up for consideration.
The following resolutions touching this sub
ject were introduced through the business
committee, read, and, for want of time, re-
ferred without debate to a committee to
consider and report at the next meeting Of
the conventions
"Resolred, That the frequency of divorces in
this state upon the insufficient causes for which
they are granted, is a great and growing evil,
working injury to the family and corrupting the
morals Of the people; and that our laws ought to
be 40 changed as to prevent and not encourage
this evil
" ResolUed, That such is the plain teaching of
Christ as to the only lawful ground for divorce,
that we regard it as wrong for parties divorced,
for any cause except adultery, to be married to
other persons while those from whom they were
divorced are yet living; and that it is wrong for
any person to officiate in remarrying such per-
sons, except to those from whom they have been
divorced"
An episode of social character was in
troduced TO the convention and added greatly
to its delight and profit This was an in
vitation from Lieutenant Governor Proctor
to visit the quarries and mills of the Suth-
erland Falls Marble Company at Suther-
land Falls, and share Colonel Proctor's hos
pitality. This courteous invitation the con-
vention accepted, and TO the number of two
hundred or more took special train pro.
vided by our host and rode to the Falls.
Here, after an hour spent in social vista
ton, inspecting the quarries, mills, falls and
highly picturesque surroundings, the party
assembled on the grounds of Colonel Proc
tor, near his residence, where were spread
tables ample in extent and choicely laden
with the things that charm the eye and de-
light the taste. The collation. was as ample
and elegant as we have ever seen on such
an occasion. 1t was, as we understand, fur
nished by Hall & Whipple, of Young's Hotel,
Boston, and consisted of sandwiches, creams,
ices, strawberries, oranges bananas, salads,
cake, tea, coffee, ETC., ETC., served in ware
that delights the eye and improves the taste.
After the collation. the president introduced
Colonel Proctor, Mrs. Proctor and little
daughter, fine group. Colonel Proctor,
thanking the convention for the honor of
their presence, briefly sketched the opening,
extent and working of the marble quarries
at the Falls, deeply interesting all. The
president replied, expressing the thanks of
the convention for the generous hospitality
OF Colonel Proctor, so cordially given. The
convention returned to Rutland refreshed in
body and mind. The whole thing was con-
ceived and carried out on the part of Colonel
Proctor in delicate manner, and with a
truly liberal and bountiful hand. Fortunate
was the convention in thus having the bur-
den of its labors lightened and delight
fErNt t,.tx, sta lit
journed to meet at Burlington next year.