Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-06-13

On motion of DR. A Stevens. il Was voted
that the protest be received and entered on
the records.
J. c. Emery, Treasurer of the Convention,
presented lis annual report.
The Committee on Finance reported BY
Hon. Jos. Poland, that the sum of 800 was
needed for the expenses of the Convention,
and that that sum had been assessed on the
Conferences on the basis of 81 cents to each
resident member.
The Fairbanks Education Board reported
by II. Fairbanks, Treasurer.
The following resolutions, introduced yes
terday by Rev Mr. Rabbit of Swanton.
were taken up;
| Resolred, That committee of hve two pastors
and three laymen, he appointed 10 consider the
| whole matter of the present constitution of This
| body and especially whether it be not expeIient As
wei As more in accord with Congregational poliiy
to secure a more direct representation of the
churches and a larger proportion of The lay ele-
ment, and in their discretion TO suggest such
changes in the modes of designating lis members
as they may deem advisable.
The resolution was adopted; and the Pres
ident subsequently, announced as the COM
mittee Rev. 5. r. Wilder, Rev r. T. Hail.
Joseph Poland, J. G.. Stimson, F. Fairbanks
Rssoired That the 18th rule of this Convention he
amended by emitting the words for the prcri0aS
qestfoh" IN the al aud 3rd lines and the words or
'0T the precious question IN the last line
The change of the rules proposed WAS
favored by DIR. Stevens and by Rev ]. E.
Goodrich, the latter saying that the device
for sitting debate, by ordering the previous
question. should not have a place in the
rules of body which had always stood as
the champion of free speech. There were
other and better methods of limiting debate
in bodies like this
Rev. J. G. Hale had no objection to I'M
limited discussion.
The resolution was then adopted.
The Committee on the Vermont CirVnicle
reported by Rev f. T. fairbanks COM
mending the paper, and recommending that
in view OF and in order To secure de
made To add thousand subscribers to its
list
Mr. Barber, editor Of the CAFDuicle, said
that if Il fair effort he made 10 increase the
circulation its price would be reduced
Rev. j. A Bates had done and would do
all he could To sustain the Chronicle; but
had not rs much confidence in the success of
such effort as he once had. Many of his
people preferred to take other religious pa
pers.
Rev. J. q. Johnson had found that those
who took the Chronicle priced it more highly
than other religious papers
The report was further supported by Rev.
MIR. Phelps, Mr. Dixie and others, and was
adopted
\ resolution for the appointment of com
mttcc OF three ministers and two laymen To-
report some method of promoting systematic
pcncvolence on the part Of the churches, was
appointed ~ follows Rev J. Bnardman.
Rev A. b swift, Rev c. ). Smith, F. Fair
'anks L. A. Savage
The Committee on Divorce, whose report
lad been recommtted to them for amend
nent, reported back the same, by Rev. L.
}. Brnstnw, amended by substituting for the
,urth resolution the following.
Rcsolrci, fhat regard the remarriaee 10 ,,rhpr
ctsons al parties divorced for cause al a,iul
-it, Us without sanction OF Christian morality ant
rcognizc the necessity Of great care especisiy an
ie pant OF CHRISTIAN ministers, aVainst lending
iheti"n 10 such wrong by perfurmng marriage
,rvice for parties thus divorced
Rev Mr. Winchester had been surprised
the suggestions made in the previous de
ale, that a minister had no right to 90 back
the license issued by the town clerk The
Nv oi 1867 permits whoever performs the
'arrlage ceremony to put the parties under
ath and To make inquiry as to their condi-
on and relations. That law has never been
'Pealed. In 80 the matter of issuing the
cense was put into the hands of the town
Jerks, who can and often do question the
lrties, and who are liable To penalties for
suing wrong certificates but the law of go
oes not forbid ministers 10 enquire also, as
luch ms ever.
Rev. MIR OlmsIed had supposed the lawof