Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-22
lkcy. III. IL. Putnam,

Itev. HI. IL. Putnam,
pastor of the Third Congregational church
said
"The causes Of the increase Of divorces
are very numerous. Hasty marriages may
not be more frequent now than Ia the past,
but the fact that divorces are SO easily OBJ
tanned does tend 10 make what may be called
hssy marriages, more frequent. People
know that If Their domestic relal ions are not
pleasant they eau easily have the union dis
solved and 50 they enter into the marriage
| relation without due rrgar to the adiptabil-
ny Of the qnalllis of the two parties. They
are attracted by some external quality IN.
stead at studylnI the heart and qrnlllos of
each other and he result is an unhappy mar
| ria-e aud i consequent divorce "
"UmlOrm leglslati upon the subject OF
marriage is very Il, sir4'le. Tue ld,nI wuuld
| b. national divorce law aud it would N, b
ably have to come about through the
aclon OF the states Individuality II
| would rtqliretim for the passage of u ma
| ii nal divorce law, but it would come in
Time through the agitation in the States,
which is now becoming general The only
| cause for absolute divorce should be the New
| reslam mt ground for divorce. b Iicve u
| is right Tor man and wife t. have n legal
81 palalion if they find their relation to be
Incompatible, but neither should I've permit
ted t. marry again, for that lowers aud de-
grades the family relation"
81 think ministers should take n stand in
this matter in regard to performing the mar
| Iiagc ceremony for persons who have been
divorced. There should he quesli ming ON
the part OF the minister, going back OF tn,
divorce and aSccrtanlug upon what rr Iund-
the divorce had been granted, aud the mar
| mage should take place in such cases
only on the New Testament ground That
would not prevent such marriales, but il
would committee ministers and be instructive
to the people under their charge. Then tn So
who are divorced by the evil law AMI com,
to cleigyman to be married in ord Il
make cloak OF religion ~ make their uniOr
respectable would find themselves bAffled
lhey would be compelled TO 60 to a msSis
J tTate 10 have the marriage ceremony per
, formed. Such unions would be DISCOURAGE
and divorces Consequently lessencd.'
Itev. ". }. Parry,
pastor OF The First Baptist church, gave tn
following expression Of bis views.
My views upon the subject Of marIiag
ard divorce might be considered somewha
radical. We Bap,ists, in common with ever
olher Christian make the teachings If IT,
! Bible the basis Of our belief on such subjects
! 1t has always seemed to ne that Christ
! words TX some conclusions upon this sui
1ect: lie thought the law of marriage wa
the law OF natural adaptation, that the unto
: was one made for life, and that but ore caus
: could be urged as a Justification for fevel
!, ance oil the bond. that cause being adultery
u a dlVo'es for any other cause seems to m'
; therefore, to he void. A marriage after
: divorce tor any but the one cause 8 emf
: therefore, TO me to be not narrag
az all, that Is according TO morl
!. DOL cation, which is certainly MOI
plnulng than more eXternal law.
y Everyone admits that sdultey Is