The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-05-02

be dissolved.
"she wiihstood IN her supernatural
strength the lawless attempts OF lustfu
princes and profiigate tyrsnls who
sought TO trampIe down the sacred rules
OF wedlock. How brayely the Ronuu
pontins rose as champions OF the sanc-
uty and iDdissolubility OF marriage.
A SOCIAL REVOLT.
BEFORE the revolution or the 10th CEN
tury the indissolubiity Of the Christian n
marriage was never formally in question
nor was any organized attempt made
against a. The great social revolt
dare not can u a religious one-nrst un-
dertook 10 deprive marriage OF It's sacra-
mental character and 10 lower il 10 a
nearly civil sphere.
The next step was 10 strike at the per-
petuity OF marriage by granting the
state the power To dissolve valid mar
riages. To secure public opinion in favor
of such disastrous procedure Scripture
was twisted and turned 10 furnish plausi-
BILE arguments. -. the tortuous ways OF
private Interpretations and misuse Of the
Bible since the day when Satan appeared
before Christ and attempted y 10 turn
Gods word against it's divine author. q,
the deplorable detection Of modern
times from the spirit of early Christian
ity, when AZ Abzog tells, The hands of
the bride and bridegroom after the mar
riage blessing were bound together with
white and red fillets in token OF the alb
solute indissolubility OF the marriage
ties
with undying tenacity the Catholic
church clings 10 the principle Of indisso-
lubility, and her strict adherence 20 the
laws OF Gods eternal son prevents un-
told misery and numberless scandals
while IL secures the foundations OF So
ciety by garding the sanctity Of the
home, by protecting Innocent children
and weak women against the lawless-
ness OF men and the perversity OF wicked
hearts. Blame not the Catholic church
for their inrexible rules, for IL is her div
inc founder that established the univer-
sal law, binding IN all circumstances.
"Do you wonder why the Catholic
church in America considers herself the
strong breakwater against the advancing
tide OF immortality? Al me gate which
leads 10 the sanctuary OF matrmony the
priest stands as the appointed guardian
OF It's noble dignity, waiting. like 81. John
the Baptist, To defend the marriage tie
with his own LIES blood. lie wields the
flaming sword OF Gods unchauging doc
trine with which he cuts the nstwOrk OF
luetful lies and serious promises woven
by inhdels and impious demagogues. He.
inculcates the holiness OF the marriage
state and from this teaching defends the
welfare and moral progress Of the coun-
try return 20 THE doctrines of the
Gospel is the only saivation OF modern
society"
Hon Amasa NJ. Eaton was next In
troduced and he spoke IN favor OF uni
form divorce legislation.
CHIEF JUSTICE sTINEss' REMARKS.
Chief Justice Stlness was then called
upon and spoke I'm part as follows:
II have come here simply 10 give my
own views on the subject. There are two
sides 10 this question, the civic and the
1 do not see how any minister
Of the Gospel can solemnize the marriage
ceremony between two persons when
either has been divorced.
This IL not the time 10 trace the de-
generacy OF the race throughout all the
Protestant countries. In all English
speaking conptries the laws as regards
contracts are more or less lax.
Now ! did not come here 10 discuss which
view we ought TO take. but as we arc
now looking at IL, at the civic aspect We
ind numerous causes for which the state
will grant divorce; adultery, felony,
extreme cruelty, intemperance and many
other causes.
In order 10 allow women whose hus-
,ands wous nor support them TO secure
freedom the law allowing them to be
separated was passed. Years ago there
Vas put into our laws a provision that
woman could get a divorce from her
husband IL he failed 70 provide her with /
he necessities OF life.
This was in the days when a woman ,
ould not hold property, and had no /
lights whereby she could earn her own 4
wing The president has said something
bout the leniency of the court. and / \
oubt not that there has risen I'm your
ninds the question why the court allows
hese things To exist. You must remem-
er that the judges are bound by the
avs: they cannot make the laws In the
ew cases i'm which a contest arists there |
usually alleged as ground some of
he grayer crimes under which a man
oes not care to remain
BISHOP McvIcKAR SPEAKS.
Bishop Mcyickar was then introduced
nd spoke briefly as follows:
''As an Episcopaiisn ] am deeply inter
sted in the question, NE said. and this
uestion OF divorce and second marriage
a burning one i'm the Episcopal church
I the present time.
81 had no idea when / came To Rhode
'land how much suffering and misery
lerc was. I do not favor laxity.
Mould like TO see the cHnons of our
hurch made a little more palmer Gentle
zen of high morality, l call on you To
phold us in our fight for legislation
sainst this great disgrace on the state"
The other speakers made brief but very
lteresting addresses and their efforts
ere well received. The meeting adj
,urned at 80 O'Clock. after being in
'ssion nearly four hours and half.