The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-06-12
German Baptists.

1t is said that the session of the German
Baptists at Frederick is the largest ever held
east of the O.Io river. We regret 10 hear
that so many of the brethren and sisters had
their pockets picked by men dressed in the
gaIb of the brethren and sisters. Not only
was money taken, but return tickets, wearing
apparel, &C. The following business was dis
posed of on Tuesday:
The first paper submitted to the conference was
from the general missionary and tract committee,
recommending Indian missionaries Elders Vim.
j. Mccain, of West Virginia. and Daniel l.. Forney,
of Arkansas and Sister Gibbell, of Pennsylvania,
with the answer of the standing committee approyl
ing the appointment of those recommended on
condition that the usual regulations respecting ap
pointments be carried out. Upon motion of Elder
J. q. Roger this action of the standing committee
was ratified. This committee action was approved
and adopted on the motion of Elder ]. Bennett
Trout Upon query from Northern Illinois, ask
ing that some means of removing the inconsistent
requirements of membership of men and women in
the church in reference to dress, the standing com
mittee suggested that committee OF five be APP
pointed to report this subject at the present con-
ference. On motion of Brother Stautfer, of Mary
land, this suggestion also adopted, and query
from the same section as to the preparation Of II
blank form of report for the use of committees Wis
iting the colleges and the standing committees
idea of appointing committee of three to prepare
such blank were adopted on motion of Brother
Levi Wenger, of Virginia.
Elder s. T. Sharp, foreman of the committee on
divorce read the following report 1.-THE New
Testament teaches that divorce cannot be OBJ
tanned except for fornication. (Matthew ". 81
Whosoeyer puts away his wife except for fornlca-
ton and marry another committeth adultery
(Matthew KIN, 90.) We. therefore, decide that
no divorced person, having married again
received in the church held n mem
Der, unless it can be clearly shown that said
companion was put away because of fornication
All churches are hereby urged to exercise the
utmost care in applying this decision in all cases
of divorce, and do everything possible to uphold
the sacredness and purity of the marriage relation
We do not contemplate by this to make any eXpost
Elders T. j. Rosenberger, of Ohio; J. :. Holsinger
of Virginia. Edmund Forney, of Illinois and /
Bennett Trout, of Illinois. made speeches IN oppos
ton to the adoption OF the committees report they
being opposed to divorce i'll all cases. Addresses
by Writing Clerk Moore and Brother ]. D. Parker
of Indiana were then made in support of the re-
port. The meeting adjourned at 10 O'Clock without
proceeding to a vote.
From to o'clock a German song service was
held and at the afternoon session the question of
divorce was again taken up. A vote on the sub
ject resulted in an almost unanimous decision to
send the question back for one year.
The queries from number of districts in regard
to life Insurance taken up, and it decided
trict from whence they came all queries upon this
subject. This disposes for this year of two of the
most important questions that are to come before
the present meeting.
On Wednesday nothing of Importance was
transacted. Several requests were acted upon,
and contributions for the free air fund of Bal
timore city were talked over. The query as
to the style of hat the women shall wear should
be left to themselves. as well as the dress of
the men or as the use of tobacco should be
left to them to settle in the way they may
agree upon. Much business of great impor
lance to the organization was transacted, but
in which the public are not interested.
The conference voted that it was not UNI
scriptural for brethren in baptizing to use
water excluding garments.
The meeting held Thursday morning was
the last session and many have already left for
their homes