The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-22

New Haven, June 22.--The congrega-
tionalists of Yale. and in fact all Con-
necticut Congregationalists. are earn
estly discussing the action taken by
the general association of Congrega-
fionai ministers of Connecticut. which
met here yesterday, i'm regard TO marry
ing person who has been divorced.
The thing that adds zest to the pro-
ceeding is the fact that the N nisters
had as their primary object the GEN.
suring of Rev DR.. w M. Barrows OF
Greenwich. the clergyman who married
Mrs. Henry IL. Sloane the well-known
society woman OF New York, To Perry
Belmont within two hours after Mrs.
Sloane had been divorced from her hus-
band.
Resolutions were adopted censuring
him and forbidding any Congregational
minister OF the association to marry
any divorced person who has been de-
ciared guilty by the decree.
The resolution was presented to Rev.
DIR. Cooper OF New Britain and by pass
ing IL the clergymen present bound
themselves to take a firm stand on the
divorce question and use all their pow
er 90 bring about uniform divorce laws
This action is one of the most inn
portant steps ever taken by the Con-
and was resolved upon after a long
and spirited discussion of the points OF
law and church observance involved.
n The action was precipitated by dis
cussion OF the divorce question in gem
eral In which one or two recent events
We're spoken OF in particular. One OF
These was the recent Belmont Sloane
marriage in Greenwich by Rev. DR..
Barrows
Rev. DR.. Washington Choate of
Greenwich apologized for DR.. Barrows,
who was not present when the discus
sion was on. DIR. Choate is warm
personal friend OF DR.. Barrows, and
Knows all the circumstances connected
with the Belmont Sloane wedding.
He stated that DIR. Barrows had been
Imposed upon, in that he was told that
Mrs. Sloane had obtained a divorce be-
cause Of her husbands lnfdelity, and
furthermore IL was represented to him
that Mrs. Sloane secured a divorce from
her husband at least year before the
time she and Mr.. Belmont presented
themselves before DR.. Barrows TO be
married.
Dr. Choate, in conclusion, said that
on these representations DIR. Barrows
married the couple. but afterward.
learning that he had been imposed
upol returned 10 Mr. Belmont the
handsome fee he had paid the min sDr.
Earding the Belmont-Sloane affair and
the discussion of the points involved
very quickly precipitated the resolution
referred TO.
Among those who spoke vigorously in
Its favor were Rev. John de Peu of
Bridgeport. Rev. Samuel ID. Dyke of
Boston, secretary OF the Divorce Re-
form League OF Massachusetts: Rev.
Mr.. Blake OF New London and Rev
Frank Russell of Bridgeport
4 The resolution as adopted is as fol-
lows:
Whereas. The wide differences be-
tween the laws regulating marriage and
divorce i'm the several states OF the
union corrupt public morals and consti-
tute an element of confusion and uncer-
tainty which often results in imposi-
tion upon Christian ministers who are
asked to perform the marriage cere-
mony: therefore
Resolved, That this general associa-
kion declares its conviction that social
order and the purity OF the family life
demand uniform legislation on mar
ziage and divorce throughout the states
and territories of the United States: we
gratefully recognize and heartily COM
mend the efforts of the committee OF
the American Bar Association on uni
form legislation. and respectfully urge
a vigorous prosecution of their work to
dts successful consummation.
'Whereas, The laws OF Connecticut
give legal sanction to the remarriage OF
all persons who have been divorced for
whatever cause In this or any other
state.
Resolved. That IL is incumbent on
the congregational ministers of Con-