The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18
THE YEARLY MEETING
FRIENDS WILL ATTEMPT TO RE-
FORM STATE DIVORCE LAWS.
- Call for Help for Russian Subjects
whose Belief Is Similar to
that of the Quakers.
eciaI to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
PLAINFIELD, Ind, Sept. 1.-THE at
tendance at the Friends Yearly Meeting is
growing continually until to-day every one
says there are more people here than there
have been for years. The interest, also, is
excellent, most of the hundreds present sit
ting through the long business session. Be-
fore the close of the business session yester-
day afternoon a proposition came from the
executive body asking the Yearly Meeting
to take steps to present the question of bet
ter divorce laws to the next General As
sembly. 1t met the hearty approval of the
meeting and persons were named to nomi-
nate a committee to have the matter in
charge. This committee, when appointed,
will request the cooperation of Indiana
Yearly Meeting, which convenes at Rich
mond, Sept. q, and also of other religious
denominations in the State. A plan will be
devised for the amendment of the present
divorce laws, and vigorous attempt will
be made to secure its adoption by the next
Indiana Legislature.
The meeting also was asked in commu
nication from Friends of London, England,
to give financial assistance to a people in
Russia numbering several thousands called
Dukhobortsi. who hold views identical with
those Of Friends on the questions of war
and the leading oe the Holy Spirit. They
have been greatly prosecuted by the Gar
because of refusal to bear arms. Through
the influence of the Empress's mother the
Gar has consented to their emigration
from the country. The matter was referred
to committee. Some opposed the granting
of money for emigration on the ground that
it may be the will of God for them to re-
IN tn -, ~ofr0
especially at a time when the Gar himself
has brought the subject of international dis
armament before the other nations of the
earth.
To-day opened rainy and sultry, but en-
thusiasm rose to a high point at the
o'clock devotional service, under the preach
ing of Rev. Barclay Jones, of Spiceand.
At the 10 o'clock business session, creden-
tails were read for Rev. William L. Wilson,
of North Carolina, and Rev. William
Thornberry, of Ohio.
The committee appointed last year to con-
slder the request Tor new quarterly meet
chairman, Rev. Willis Bond, against the
proposition, which was accepted.
The evangelistic committee proposed the
establishment of building fund for the
benefit of church extension work. This
marks a new and important era in the his
tory of the Friends Church and brings
them to the front as an aggressive body.
By the plan proposed each family is re-
QueSteQ 10 voluntarily pay 10 TINS Iunu an
amount equal to 10 cents for each member
Of the family. Those having means are
asked to make special contributions to the
fund, while others, in making wills, are
asked to remember this work. The general
superintendent of the Yearly Meeting, to-
gether with quarterly meeting superintend-
ents and pastors are intrusted with the col
lection of this money. The meeting directed
this fund into the hands of the trustees of
the Yearly Meeting. The fund shall be
used only in building church houses,
where new churches are organized,
or in exceptional cases where meetings are
weak, trustees shall have from this fund
not to exceed one-fourth on in exceptional
instances, one-t third, of the amount required
for the building. The loans are to be made
for a term Of five years without interest.
The time may be extended, interest being
charged after the five years. Should any
meeting be unable to pay the money back
the Yearly Meeting will take action in the
case upon the written statement of the
trustees. Property to receive loan must be
insured, and must be made to legally ap-
point trustees of the local church.
The report of the work of the evangelistic
and pastoral department, given by the
superintendent, Rev. David Hadley, was ex-
tremely important. The statistics given
show the following: