Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-20
DIVORCE EVIL.
Action Taken at EpiscopaIian
Convention at Portland.
Oisocese Also Goes on Record Against
Gambling Plans.
Other Matters Considered, Thursday
Final Adjournment.

9.l5. The meeting sat first as the
Maine Episcopal Missionary Society and
had not completed it's work when adj
journment was taken, yesterday after
noon. The session of this society did
not last more than n few minutes, how
ever. and the only work done was to
refer the reports of the archdeacOns
to the convention with request that
they be printed and to pass a resolu-
ton, amending Section Is of the So
ciety's bylaws. so as to allow the arch
deaconries to alter the method of elect
ing their lay delegates to the conven-
ton. If they wished to do so.
At the opening of the diocesan con-
ventiOn upon the adjournment of the
Missionary Society, the bishop read the
report of the committee appointed to
count the ballots taken. yesterday, for
the election of four clerical and four
lay delegates to the general convention,
the report showing that Rev. Messrs.
Newbegin. Vernon and Stewart as
clerical alternates, and MeSsrs. Merrill,
McDavid and Davenport as lay alter
mates, had received sufficient votes to
NC Cittttt. l.iS lt'lt 1t VI one
in each branch of the alternative rep
resentatiOn, and a ballot was taken to
fill it. Rev. II. s. Harte and w. S.
Glidden We're The successful candidates.
The application of the mission at
Long Cove for admission was present
ed by Rev Russell Woodman and re-
ferred to the committee on new par
ishes.
Rev. G.. F. Degen moved that the
parishes and missions in reporting on
their financial condition present re-
ports on their finances covering the
last fiscal year, and the resolution
aroused some discussion. Rev. G. il.
Nicholson asking il it was the inten-
ton to separate the financial and sta
tistical reports hereafter. Eventually
the matter was referred back to the
committee on finances, and no action
was taken on it.
The committee on the bishops adj
dress presented it's report as follows:
Your committee appointed to con-
| slider and report upon the bishops do
cese upon the condition of the work
Of the church in Maine and the splen-
did Outlool. for the future rs indicated
| III 'iA''t ''tiit'- dll' LIS ltflkt u Oh
the following recommendations:
]. We are unanimously of the opin-
ion that the present missionary organ
| fZation of the diocese include the arch
deaconry system; although 1t has been
given but one years trial it has thus
far been gratifymgly successful and
that it ought To be earnestly supported
| by the diocese until it has been fully
| demonstrated to he unsuited to our
| needs. We can only urge renewed
efforts on the part of the clergy and
laity to provide for the needs of our
increasing missionary work in order
| that the Board of Missions may not
be under the necessity of contracting
its sphere of operations.
| III. We fully agree with the diocesan
that the clergy should. fearIessly pre-
sent and uphold the great historic and
Fundamental truths for which this
church has always stood.
| We would also urge upon the laity
the serious consideration of their duty
and privileges of supporting the clergy
in their efforts to set forth and main
tain the teaching and discipline of the
| churcl;.
| III. w" suggest that n committee OF
five rlcrgymen Of which Bishop Cod
man shall be the chairman, be APP
pointed by the Chair to invite cO-opera-
ton on the part Of all other religious
bodies 10 secure il possible concerted
action on the subject of divorce.
". The committee regrets that the
sum needed for the Bishop Nicely men,
orial has not been raised. and earnestly
hopes that steps will be Immediately
taken by the clergy and laity to secure
the amount required.
Respectfully submitted.
| GEORGE BRUCE NICHOLSON
Chairman:
CHARLES FOLLEN,
Secretary:
RUFUS HORTON JONES,
HENRY VAN r. NASH.
NJ =. CLEAVES.
GEORGE W. SCOTT,
Committee.
Rev. 6. II. Nicholson. the chairman
after reading the report moved that
Il committee be appointed as provided
in the committees third Recommended
ton to confer with committees from
other religious bodies on the subject OF
divorce. The motion was carried with
out discussion. and the bishop later
appointed Rev. II. w. Plant. Rev. f. II
Newbegin. Rev. J. u. Shepherd and
Dean Vernon as the members of the
committee with himself.
Bishop Goldman asked IL there was a
motion to be male on the fourth rec
ommendation saying that the diocese
was in debt for the cenotaph to Bishop
Nicely. Mr.. Nicholson replied that nc
recommendations was made. whereupon
the bishop remarked that debt was a
debt and it must be met. If no provi-
sion We're made by the convention the
money would have to be borrowed. The
contract had been made. 1t would take
about two years in all to do the work
and about one year Of the time had
already expired.
Rev. J. B. Shepherd asked IL it was