The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-06-13


poriancc ia collation. TO many Of The social anu
political qucAfions that agtae our time, and to !
the future welfare of our churches. That we
also direct attention TO the need of more widely
diflused literature of the subject, and more
thorough nnd frequent presentation OF a. iroin the
pulpit
= KIN; TLLIoT, oommittce,
In the discussion which followed the
report Rev. Mr.. Brastow supported The
resolutions with some statistics. Be
tween 1872 and 1876 there were 800
divorces granted in Vermont, being ono
TO about every 16 marriages. The reg
istration reports assign from 8 TO II
causes for divorces granted. There
were four and half times as many di-
vorces granted for causes other than
adultery as for adultery. The lawyers
tell us that almost any one who wishes
Is able to secure q divorce. Judges
apply the law in free way. 1t is sand
that in one case moody silence has been
considered intolerable severity, and as
such made ground for divorce. A case
had been related to him within two
days in which man proposed marriage
to young lady. Some question as 10
probable compatibility being raised, the
man proposed that they should try mar
riage, for say six months, and If by that
time they found they were not suited TO
each other il would be easy to secure a
divorce. Considering all the relations
of the subject to society and to the
churches, he thought no more important
subject could come before the Conven-
ton.
Rev. s. w. Dixie of Royalton said we
are probing a deep sore in this matter.
There are no treatises on the family,
such as we ought to have. There is
great need of wholesome literature on
the whole subject. The registration re-
ports are little uncertain as respects
statements of causes. Divorces are de-
crcasing slightly the present year under
the slight modification of our law made
by the last legislature.
Rev. +. W. Olmsted of Williston
questioned the wisdom of the latter part
of the 4th. resolution. The law specifies
who may perform the marriage cere-
mony; and some who IRE thus author
lied to perform it are outside of the
province of this convention, and do not
recognize the Bible as their source of
authority. Ought we not to limit our
condemnation to those within the sphere
of our authority? The law provides for
marriage licenses. Is it best TO go be-
hind the license and lay down rcstric-
tions not recognized by the law? Our
laws are too loose in this matter. The
granting of license is committed to the
town clerk, and no one is authorized to
call him to account. We should be
careful how we imputc wrong or lay
down the law to those outside our au-
thority. f' -
Rev. G.. T.. Fcrrin said that n few
years ago the clergymcn were required
by law to examine parties applying to
be married, and he might put them
under oath. This duty was sometimes
found embarrassing and the law was
changed, and the matter committed to
the town clerks.
Rev. l.. G. Partridge of North Ben
nington said that as long as people have
twenty reasons for getting married,
they will want half rs many for getting
divorced. Ifpersons would marry not
for money or position, but because they
love and mean to be true to each other,
there would be less trouble.
Rev. j. G. Hale of Stowe said the di-
recton of hopeful effort is first to have
a right public opinion, and second to
get the right laws. lie would not i'm
pute blame to persons crring innocently
in the matter of rcmarrying persons
who had been divorced.
Rev. j. A. Bates had been informed
by n jurist that if n minister publicly
disgraced persons applying to him TO be
married by questioning them or by re-
fusing to marry them, he made himself
liable to q legal penalty.
Rev. S. p. Wilder of Brandon thought
the convention was not competent TO
censure magistrates, or its own men,
bcrs who differ rs to the principles in
volved.
The subject was further discussed by
Rev. A. ID. Barber, Rev. Messrs. Phelps,
A. HaZen, and others, and on motion OF
Mr.. Barber, the report was recommit-
ted to the committee, to modify the
fourth resolution.
The following committees were NOM
mated and confirmed:
Committee to nominate officers for
the year ensuing-Rev. Ii. Fairbanks,
Rev. w. w. Winchester, Rev. W. A.
Bushce.
Committee on Finance Joseph Pol
and, Il. w. Fisher, Dea. Thomas Brow
nell.
Auditor--G. G.. Benedict.
Business Committee-Rev. A. Stew
ems, ID. d., Rev. S. l. Briant, Rev. j. IL.
Babbitt.
Rev. j. w. Burgin of Starksboro.
representative of the Free Baptists of
Vermont, was introduced, and present
ed the greeting of that body of Chris
tans to the convention.
The President responded in behalf of
the convention.
The Committee on the Permanently of
the Pastoral Relation reported by Rev.
5. l. Briant, and the subject was dis
cussed by Mcssrs. Wilder, Stevens and
Morse.
Rev. S. p. Wilder made report of his
attendance at the State Baptist Convcn-
ton.
Rev. M. A. Wilcox presented the
salutation of the Daptists of Vermont,
to which the President responder In
fitting terms.
Rev. Austin HAGEN made report of
his attendance as delegate TO the YER
mont M. +. Conference.
On motion, the hours OF meeting were
fixed at 8 a. m, 3 p. m. and Z 80 D. IN. 4,
and of adjournment at ~ IN. and 8 D. m.
The convention then adjourned till
evening.
| EVENING.
In the evening came the sermon by
the Rev. l.. Il. Fairbanks of st. Johns
bury. Music was furnished by quar-
tet consisting of Misses Person and
Lane, and Messrs. Brown and Fuller,
Miss Ilibbard presiding at the organ.
Al the opening the quartet rendered the
Tie Deum and gave it very finely. After
reading of the Scriptures and prayer
and the hymn, "Come, Heavenly Spirit,
Come" the Rev. Mr.. Fairbanks deliy-
cred the annual sermon, taking for his
text, Psalms, elbow Precious are Thy
Thoughts unto me, q God;" "My
thoughts are very deep"