Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-11-17
Mafrhn,an d gnnrnaL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER II, 1880.
Divorce Reform In Other States.

DiNuTCt htiOTm III VtHtT Nthttss
Our readers may like to know of the pro-
gress this cause is making in other states
than Vermont. We have long since given
up the attempt to note every utterance of
the press or of public bodies on the subject
Perhaps no one question of moral reform is
now engaging the attention of Christian peo-
pie in New England more than that of di-
vorce, and we find indications of its consid-
Grafton in several places in the West. We
note some leading facts in proof of our
statement.
The representative Christian bodies in all
the New England States except Rhode Is
land have nearly all taken hold of the work
of reform in earnest, and in Rhode Island
the subject, we are told, is under serious con-
sideration. The religious press is beginning
to do good work in the cause, and in one or
two cases associations composed of eminent
scholars and leading men in affairs, have
been formed for the thorough study of the
whole question. 1t has been the subject of
papers and discussions in the Congregational
clubs of Worcester and Portland, and in
many ministerial associations. The Bap-
fist ministers meeting in Boston gave it
hearty approval last week, after thorough
discussion, and their state convention also
authorized their officers to sign, in behalf of
their body, the memorial to the legislature
of that state which is being sent up by Chris
tians of all denominations. We hear of
many sermons preached on the subject of
the family and divorce, and of lectures on
the same and kindred themes, in which this
evil is vigorously treated. Divorce is also
10 be the subject of lecture in the next
course of the Boston Monday lecturship.
The vigorous way in which the Boston
clergymen takes hold of the work does
much to aid the reform in Massachusetts.
Their committee, composed of the Rev. Drs.
Webb, Miner, Eddy, Hale, Upham and Gray,
representing six denominations, with the
Rev. George A. jackson of Swampscott as
secretary, have undertaken to get petitions
to the legislature signed by all the Chris
tian bodies in the state. Among other
things, this petition asks for laws providing
for criminal proceedings against the guilty
party divorced for adultery, and for mar
riage laws guarding "more effectually
against hasty and criminal marriage"
The trienniel convention of the Episcopal
church dismissed some proposed Legislation
by that body, chiefly, however, because the
changes proposed were based upon certain
merits of the Mosaic law about the binding
force Of which there is difference of opin-
ion in that church, though partly from the
feeling that ministerial and lay fidelity in
maintaining existing canons is just now
more important than ecclesiastical legisla-
ton. That body is more than ever alive to
the evils of divorce, as we think the address
of the bishop will show.
A word may be in order in regard to our
own state. The various committees feel
deeply the need of further legislation and
regret that combination of circumstances
has prevented taking up the subject during
the present session. They hope, however,
to turn this delay to good account and may
take some action that will accomplish far
more in two years than could be done now
We hope that our own ministers will not
fail to preach, and if need be, repeatedly
on this and the kindred evils that are diffus
ing the most deadly moral poison through
society. There is far more need of public
instruction than most know. The wisdom
and delicacy needed in its treatment
should not deter our ministers from faithful
work in cause that concerns the welfare
of every household.