Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-06-21

where, as under the old Roman Empire
CHRISTIANS were in the minority and had hut
little control of legislation, but in
community where for MANY genera
tons the people have universally been under
Christian instructions, and all law making
has been in the hands of representatives Of
the people Laxity of opinion and teaching
on the sacredness Of the marriage bond and
on the question of divorce. originated among
the Protestants of continental Europe in the
last century 1t soon began to appear in the
legislation OF Protestant States on that con-
t1nent. and nearly at the same time to affect
the laws of New England And from that
time to the present it has proceeded in this
country from one degree to another, until
especially in New England and in the States
most directly Influenced by New England
opinions and usages. the Christian conception
OF the nature and obligations of the mar
rage bond, finds scarcely any reeog-
milton in legislation. or as must
thereby be inferred. in the prevailing senti-
ment of the community. How is it in our
own State! We seem to have departed fur
thest of all in this respect from the divine
law reiterated and solemnly re-enacted by
Christ; for, although the specific offences on
account OF which divorce may be granted
under our statutes are no more numerous
~
furthermore provided that such divorces NAV
be decreed by any Justice of the Supreme
Court, whenever in the exercise of a sound
discretion he deems it reasonable and proper
conducive to domestic harmony, and con-
slstent with the peace and morality of
society, if the parties were married in
the State. or cohabted there after marriage"
Could there be a palmer challenge than
this of the authority of our Lords inhibi-
ton, "What God hath joined together, let
no man put asunder?" And what has been
the result of thus throwing wide open the
door Of legal escape from the sacred obliga-
tons of the married state? The ratio of d.
vorces to marriages in Maine is certainly not
less than one to ten; and when we consider,
furthermore, that no restraint is put upon the
remarriage of either party to divorce. it be-
comes very evident that we have given place
to an evil which, if long tolerated must
prove destructive of the most precious social
and moral foundations. This could never
have happened without the protest, or with
out the express or tacit consent of that por-
ton of the community which processes
fidelity to the recorded law of God, and
implicit obed ence 10 the precepts of
Christ; and therefore it denotes either
gross unfaithfulness or gross negli-
gence on the part of Christian organiza-
tons in our midst. 1t is still, | be-
lieve, within their power to check and
finally extirpate this growing evil;
and rejoice that an influential movement to
that end. already begun IN other New Eng
land States, is receiving the serious attention
OF some of our most prominent citizens. But
l shall have no confidence in the efficacy of
any measures which are not based squarey
and uncompromisingly upon the Christian
conception and law of marriage. as opposed
to the civil contract theory, and to all other
theories which do not recognize in marriage
divine institution, imposing of itself peculiar
and perpetual obligations, which no human
hand may justly assume to annul as modify.
would suggest the publication of the canon
of the General Convention on Marriage and
Divorce in our Diocesan Journal for this
year, and shall be ready to entertain any
motion for further action which you may be
disposed to take.
Tributes TO THE DEPARTED.
In the course Of his able address Bishop
Nicely paid eloquent tributes to the late
Judge Enoch Redington of Boston, a native
of Maine, deceased during the year, whose
generous benefactons to the Maine Diocese
have substantially aided in many of its i'm
portant enterprises, and whose large hearted,
symmetrical Christian lite is a noble example
for young men to emulate. He spoke feeling
ly of the death OF George Herbert Davis of
Augusta, cut down in the bloom of young
manhood, Just as he was preparing for the
high work and holy office of the Christian
ministry. st. Marks parish and community
are mourning the departure oftwo distinguish
ed men, Judge Rice and Hon. j. w. North.
St. Paul's, Brunswick, has lost Mr. + 2. Kaler.
Sorrow after sorrow has betallen us in the
Cathedral congregation, by the death of some
Is: 81. unl lAlH E,1
Other sister parishes have had like expert
ence. We know that our Fathers hand is in all
this, and we may trust him to give both CON-
fort and strength according to our needs if we
remain steadfast and faithful. But are we
prepared to welcome the same summons for
ourselves? Have we set our own house in
order? Are we SO living the life OF the
righteous that we may die the death of the
righteous?
EVENING.
large audience assembled to participate
in the evening services. At 730 the long
procession, composed of the surpliced choir
and white-robed clergy, marched to their
seats. making a very impressive spectacle.
After evening prayer had been said, Bishop
Nicely spoke eloqucntly on the wonderful
success which is greeting the English Church
in its mission fields 1t is accomplishing
miracles in the East Wnlcn rival those
wrought in early days by the Apostolic
Fathers. He then introduced the Rt. Rev,
the Coadjutor Bishop of Fredericton. n. B.,
as a representative of the Anglican Church.
who commended home mission work. Re-
marks were made by Rev. George S. Hill of
Exeter, Rev. A. w. Little of Portland, and
Rev II. Savage who is laboring in Aroos
took. The latter gentleman had a most en-
couraging report from that growing young
county, and of the hearty welcome which the
people there give the Church. The trustees
of the Pressure Isle Academy have voted to
turn over the property Of that institution,
worth about $1,000, if the Episcopalians will
establish Church school there. Bishop
Nicely earnestly stated that he hoped
that the Church would not let this op
portunity pass to establish a school in this
northern county, where the plastic minds of
the young could be brought under the in
fluence of religious truths, and that the money
should come from this Diocese. At the con-
clusion of his remarks a generous collection
was taken for home missions.
The order of the Convention to-day will be
morning prayer at nine o'clock, after which
the business session will begin. This even
ing at seven the clergy will attend the grad
uation exercises at ST. GATHERINGS Hall.