Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-05-14
sung, and DIR. j. l.. Burrows, q member of
the convention of 1845, delivered a histori-


sung, and DIR. j. l.. Burrows, member of
the convention of 1S45. delivered histori-
cal sermon.
Rev. H. A. Tupper, Jr., read the report
of the vice-president, which shows good
progress in all the States.
Senator Jos. E. Brown introduced reso-
luton in reference to divorce. 1t was made
the special order for o'clock Saturday af-
! ternoon. The resolution declares that the
New Testament authorizes divorce only for
adultery and that no Baptist minister should
be allowed to marry man having living
wife, unless divorced on that ground.
The work Of the church at home and
abroad is most satisfactory. During the
past year contributions for home and for
eign missions were large, considering the
financial condition of the country. Allagree
that the present and future of the church is
most encouraging and the convention feels
enthusiastic over the work before it.
DIR. p. II. Tucker, of Georgia, reported on
the Cuban mission at Key West, Florida.
All the money expended on this mission
already has been contributed by unknown
parties and only secret charities will be
devoted to this.
There was an extended debate on the
ratio of representation in the convention,
which resulted in the striking out Of that
provision of the constitution which allowed
one delegate to the convention for $500 ex-
pended in State work. The effect of this
will be to limit the ratio of representation
to the moneys that pass through the home
and foreign mission boards. The resolu-
ton was passed by vote of 1852 to 100. The
discussion occupied two hours and was par
tcipated in bya number of prominent dele
gates.
John d. Stewart, of Georgia, president OF
the home mission board, offered resolu-
tion providing for the founding of an Insti-
tute among Indians to educate them to the
necessity Of sustaining. missionaries sent
among them, which was adopted.
On Friday night the Convention assem-
bled in the form of a mass meeting and was
addressed by number of selected speakers.
On Saturday, the fourth and last day of
the Convention collection of thirteen hum
dred and fifteen dollars was taken up for
the New Orleans mission.
The foreign and home mission boards
were announced.
At the afternoon session the consideration
of the question of the basis of representa-
ton in the Convention was again taken up.
DR.. Link of Texas, said they should make
the representation smaller. Olarge body
was burden upon the community where
the Convention was held. Notwithstanding
all the hospitality extended the expenses
of this Convention would be between fifteen
hundred and two thousand dollars, even
with the reduction proposed The Conven-
| tion would not consist of less than six hun
dred delegates.
Mr.. Carroll of North Carolina, thought
the proposition to cut down the Conven-
| tiOn so much very unWiSe. 1t struck him
that the evident effect of a small Conven-
tion would be sense Of discOuragement
and it would make very unfavorable i'm
preston.
Mr.. Thomas of South Carolina, said it
wasn't every place that desired to have the
Convention meet there that could entertain
so large body, especially if every delegate
entitled to seat on the floor was present.
The Convention would then consist of fully
two thousand delegates. He disagreed with
Mr.. Carroll thata smaller convention would
be inefficient. He thought the delegates
would feel more responsibility if they rep
resented more. There were probably mem
| to the Convention when they didn't repre-
sent more than one hundred dollars.
| Mr.. Stout of Alabama, was opposed to
any further reduction of the representation.
| He moved to lay the amendment on the
table. The motion was adopted.
The Chair announced that the hour for
| the special order, Senator Browns resolu-
tion as to divorce, had arrived.
Mr.. Bailey of Alabama, moved to dis
charge the special order.
Senator Brown hoped the motion would
not prevail. The motion was lost by a vote
of 121 to 1872. Senator Brown said he had
amended his resolutions somewhat, and
presented them as follows:
..,,;o h;oC
| ton, the act of fornication committed by a mar
ried person is under the New Testament dispen-
saton, cause, and the only cause, OF absolute
divorce from the bonds of marriage;
Resoived further, That it is the opinion of this
Convention that no minister Of the Gospel is au-
thorized by the New Testament to join parties
together in the bonds Of matrimony when either
of said parties has living husband or living
wife, from whom said parties have been divorced
for any other than cause aforesaid.
Mr.. Brown spoke at length in advocacy
of his resolutions.
MIR. Hoyt, of Greenville, S. c., moved to
Law the motion on the table. Lost by a vote
of ninety-two to one hundred and sixty-six.
The resolution was then put and carried by
an overwhelming vote.
The Convention adjourned at half past II
o'clock on Saturday night. At the last mo-
ment motion to reconsider the vote adopt
ing Senator Browns resolution on divorce
was adopted and the resolutions were laid
on the table by vote Of one hundred and
ninety-six to ninety-three. Senator Brown
was not present. The constitution was
amended so as to read "brethren" instead of
"members," thus excluding women from
the Convention as delegates.
The committee on time and place recon-
mended that the next Convention be held
in Montgomery, commencing on the Friday
before the second Sunday in May next. DIR.
Hawthorne of Georgia, was designated to
preach the Convention sermon.
Tho aunninr session WAS devoted to the