— OF THE —
National Divorce Reform League
Year Ending, December 31, 1887.
M ON TPE LIE R :
VERMONT WATCHMAN AND STATE JOURNAL PRESS,
1887.

C O N T E N T S :
OFFICERs, g * º & & * See cover, page 2
CONSTITUTION, . . . tº * tº . See cover, page 3
INTRODUCTORY NOTE, . * tº g g *
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
REPORT OF CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS,
BRIEF Account OF THE LEAGUE,
RECEIPTS AND ExPENSEs,
$
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| O - 2, ... - *| 3
Bafiðnal tº Divorce. Refºrm). League.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
The Annual Meeting of the League was held Jan. 4, 1888. On account
of the inability of several of the Executive Committee to be present and the
small attendance of members, it was thought best to leave several important
matters for action later by the Committee. The important suggestions of the
Report are printed in full that consideration may be given them by all in-
terested.
In addition to the usual matter of the Report, we have printed a short
account of the League and its Work, references to the leading published
articles of the Corresponding Secretary and other material that may be of
use to our members and to all who would keep themselves informed about
this important work in behalf of the Family.
Attention is called to the statement concerning Associate Membership.
R E PO R T S :
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
The attention of the Committee is still chiefly confined to
strengthening the finances of the League. The gain in con-
tributions is gratifying, but it has been made at too great sac-
rifice of the time and energy of the Corresponding Secretary.
Towards increasing the receipts of the coming year it is hoped
that members of the Committee and of the League will, make
some personal effort to commend the object to intelligent
givers. With the discharge of our indebtedness to Mr. Dike,
which may reasonably be expected at an early date, it is hoped
that more money will be available for printing reports, statistics
and information. It is recommended by the Committee that
the attempt be made to secure an income for 1888 of not less
than $3,000.
- GEORGE HARRIs, Chairman.
NOTE.—It is desired that our friends send in their contributions witHOUT
SOLICITATION and AS EARLY IN THE YEAR As POSSIBLE. Such a course will
enable us to meet demands for work and relieve anxiety caused by the fre-
quent delay of contributions until late in the year. Copies of this report
may be ordered to any address sent us.
— 4 —
Report of the Corresponding Secretary.
The year now closed has been the most fruitful one in the
history of the League. Not so many different things have
been done nor so many legislative acts been passed as in some
other years, but the importance of what has gone over from
things attempted to things accomplished makes the statement
true. -
1. LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER Gover NMENTAL ACTION.—Thé
great measure of the year in this department of our work has
been the success of the effort to have Congress provide “for .
the collection of the statistics of, and relating to, Marriage and
Divorce” throughout the United States. For this purpose
$10,000 were appropriated by the last Congress in March just
before the final adjournment, after more than three years' effort
on our part. The Commissioner of Labor, to whom Congress
committed the work, and whose superior qualifications for it
those know best who have best understood his distinguished
successes in the field of statistics, immediately invited my sug-
gestions concerning the material to be gathered, and I am con-
fident that he will do all in his power to perform the task which
Congress put upon the Bureau, and which was made entirely
free of legislative restrictions.
The work could not be taken up until August, and it will
take several months more before the results can be made
known. But the most inaccessible courts have been visited
and thus the slowest part of the field work in the main investi-
gation has been done. It is believed that this report will be
one of the most important and interesting ever issued from a
statistical bureau in this country. Of its importance to all in-
terested in the Family and the social problems connected with -
it there can be no doubt. But too much must not be expected
from the meager sum of money expended on it. For we must
remember that one part of the plan is to secure, by original
examination of the records or dockets of 2,700 courts, the di-
vorce statistics for twenty years in all parts of this great coun-
try. This, with the necessary analysis of the laws of marriage
gmºmº 5 smºmºsº
and divorce, and the collection of such marriage statistics as
may be readily secured, will leave less than could be desired
for the many special investigations that ought to be made in
order to understand properly this great subject.
It has been said that the success of this measure alone
would justify the existence and cost of the League from its
beginning. It will give Christians and good citizens of every
class material and incentive to intelligent work. It is worthy
of note in this connection that the Archbishop of Canterbury
has asked to be put in possession of the results of this investi-
gation at the earliest possible moment. Others in foreign
countries have also made inquiries about it.
Another gain in governmental action is the publication by
the Department of State of the Reports of the Consuls on
Emigration and Immigration in that part of it which treats of
the domestic morals of Europe, as they effect this country
through emigrants. The great need of such a report was laid
before the Secretary of State nearly five years ago. The
Department quickly recognized the value of an investigation
and promptly began the preparation for it, asking me to Sug-
gest the questions to be incorporated in the circular to be ad-
dressed to the Consuls in Europe. But various delays occurred
and the matter was not fairly taken up until it was reopened
with the present administration. Some positive encourage-
ment was then given us, but I had nearly despaired of any-
thing being, done when I learned that a few of my questions
had been incorporated in a circular on the general subject of
Immigration and some returns secured. These covered princi-
pally marriages, divorces and births—especially illegitimate
births. I made a careful compilation of these facts with many
additions of my own from official or semi-official sources and
published a statement of the results in the N. Y. Independent
of October 20, as the best means of their widest dissemination
among those most likely to be interested in them. Several
letters relating to them have been written me, and I expect
others will pursue the subject. It is a source of regret that
the official work, though very good, was not made much better
still, as, I think, could easily have been done. A Senator has
—6—
recently written me that he would have gladly incorporated
some of my suggestions with others in his bill regulating im-
migration, had he ventured to risk the success of anything be-
yond the simplest measures. But we have gained much in
turning public attention to the need of a better knowledge of
our dangers from this source. I am strongly inclined to think
that a thorough study of the subject under the direction of ex-
perts among the foreign element in our own country would, if
it were feasible, show the need of more official and private
watchfulness of the domestic morals of this class, and that a
careful supervision of our immigrants would affect our domestic
morals most favorably. The uncertain marital relations of some
immigrants from countries where illicit unions take the place
of lawful marriage to a serious extent, and where illegitimate
births for the whole country are from eight and ten to almost
fifteen per cent. of the whole number of births—and the latter
is the percentage in Austria, and where in certain localities
and among certain classes, especially servants, who are a large
part of the emigrants, unchastity must exist among a very
large proportion—makes information, if not legislation, very
desirable. -
And this suggests another evil, one among our own people,
both of foreign and so-called native stock. The instances of
persons moving from place to place who are ostensibly married
but who are really living in violation of legal marriage, are
somewhat numerous—far more so than those of us who have
never looked into the subject think. There are three classes of
these : operatives mostly of foreign birth in some large manu-
facturing towns; a few persons in isolated country districts where
public opinion is not strong; and persons of some means who
desert their legal wives or husbands and enter into illict relations
in places where their true history is unknown. There is strong.
reason to think evils of this sort affect far larger numbers than
those due to conflicting divorce and marriage laws. I have often
thought that the safety of society and the interests of tax-payers
might sometime lead to a demand for the legal record of the
domestic status of all residents and of all immigrants to our
shores. The restraint of such a record upon crimes of a cer-
tain class would be very great; many of the bigamies and adult-
* 7 tºº-º-º-º:
ries that now occur would be prevented. There certainly is
some reason for making the legal status of a husband or wife a
matter of record throughout its existence as well as that of a
piece of real estate. The continued registration of a marital
relation from its beginning to its end is apparently as much with-
in the province of the law as the usual record of the transfer
of real property. I do not venture to recommend this as a
practicable measure ; but it is worth consideration as showing
the peril to which society is exposed from the loose safeguards
of the family. -
2. LEGISLATIVE WORK.—Michigan shows the most im-
portant improvement in state legislation during the last year.
Many clergymen and others have urged reform for several years
and public sentiment has been improving. In the last year a
dozen or more leading spirits secured the legislation of June.
By this the old marriage laws, which allowed many serious evils to
spring up were thoroughly revised and a marriage license law
of the better kind was enacted. The divorce law was amended
so as to restrict greatly the coming of parties into the state for
divorce; to guard carefully against collusive divorces ; to provide
for the defence of certain cases by the state; to forbid the re-
marriage of the guilty party during the discretion of the court,
and to delay trial of all cases until at least four months after
the petition for divorce is filed. The passage of the bills cover-
ing these amendments by good majorities is creditable to the
people of Michigan and shows what can be done after a little
agitation for a few years by a few resolute and judicious men.
It is the most important gain in a state since the radical reform
in Maine in 1883, whose excellent results continue. The move-
ments forthereform of divorce law in Ohio, Pennsylvania and the
District of Columbia have not yet been successful. In some
states the delay seems almost necessary that statistical informa-
tion may be had. In a few instances there seems to be a lack
of wise and persistent local leadership. But it has more than
once happened that these years of fruitless effort have unexpect.
edly been followed by the most successful legislation. The
coming year may be expected to witness a decided revival of
interest in legislative reform. One or two bills have just been
introduced into Congress providing for a constitutional amend-
— 8 —
ment on Divorce and Polygamy. These are the precursors of a
good deal of agitation that is likely to occur on the subject of uni-
form law. It is, however, one whose difficulties must be studied
with far more knowledge than we yet have, both of the facts
and the bearings of the various measures proposed to meet
what all see is a very grave evil.
Connecticut has a new law punishing with imprisonment
a man who deserts his wife or refuses to support her and “cohabits
or lives with another.” New York has defined the persons who
only can perform authoritative marriages, thus removing a great
abuse by which simple consent without the presence of an
official or witnesses constituted in that state both a lawful and
a regular marriage. Arizona has lately (though I am not sure
it has been done within the year) stricken off her statute book
what was probably the worst omnibus clause that ever disgraced
the divorce laws of our country. Massachusetts has transferred
the trial of divorces to the Superior Courts to relieve the Sup-
reme Court of its excessive burdens. But some complaints are
made that the change affects divorces in a way not intended.
If the evils charged to the change are found to exist, doubtless
further legislation will remedy them. Several states are increas-
ing the legal protection of young girls.
3. EDUCATIONAL WORK.—This is always an important
feature. Addresses have been made during the year in Wash-
ington, Philadelphia, Hartford, New Haven, Providence, Water-
bury, Conn., Worcester, Saratoga and in cities and towns around
Boston. Lectures were given in two or three theological semi-
naries. More of this work would have been done but for the
task of collecting funds which the Committee asked us to un-
dertake this last year. Papers on the Family with relation to
Social problems, were read before special bodies in Hartford and
Saratoga, and one on the perils of the Family before the Evan.
gelical Alliance in Washington last December, which will soon
appear in the proceedings of that body and perhaps be printed
separately. Several articles have been contributed to influential
newspapers. The principles and methods of Divorce statistics
were examined in a discussion of the principles of the verification
of social statistics in the Andover Review in January. I know
of but one writer who has in any full degree attempted this great-
— 9 —
ly needed work. This is M. Bertillon of the French Academy.
But his work is unknown to Americans and was not complete
or satisfactory in other respects. Some other writings during the
year deserve special notice. Two articles—one on Marriage
Laws and the other upon Divorce Laws—by Judge Bennett of our
Executive Committee, appeared in the Forum in January and
May and were especially able and useful. The late Mrs. Craik
also contributed a vigorous, though unsatisfactory article to the
same Review. The Methodist Quarterly Review for November
had an instructive article by Rev. R. S.Wheatley on The Alleged
Decay of the Family. One on the Scriptural grounds of Divorce
also appeared in the New Englander. The Rev. Alexander R.
Merriam of Grand Rapids, Michigan, delivered an unusally able
address, which had great influence in securing the better legisla-
tion in Michigan already described, and it appears in the Bib/i-
otheca Sacra for the present month. The paper of Col. J. L.
Greene of Hartford, read before the Evangelical Alliance, on
the Social Evil is worthy of the very high praise its reading
elicited. It took precisely our own ground in starting from the
Family. The New York Sun has recently caused a special in-
quiry to be made into the evasions and abuses of the Divorce
law in New York City. The fullest details are given to show
that fraud, perjury and forgery are constantly practiced and the
Sum declares there are no less than fifteen establishments in
the city turning out hundreds of bogus divorces every year.
I have not seen the correctness of the exposure questioned.
Some things which the experts of the Bureau of Labor have
already discovered in Utah parallel this story. The State of
New York certainly owes it to herself that the business be fer-
reted out and officially exposed or the newspapers be shown to
have published scandalous libels on her good name.
We should gratefully acknowledge here the progress of the
movement for social purity which the Woman's Christian Tem-
perance Union has taken up and prosecuted the past two or
three years, the work of the White Cross, into which especially
the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country and in England
has zealously entered, and the continued work of the societies
for the suppression of vice. All of these except the last have
come into activity since the need of such work was pointed out
2
#
by our League. Their existence is a testimony to the timeliness
of our organization and evidence of the great breadth of the
field to be occupied.
Some gratifying testimonies of the value of the work of
the Roman Catholic Church in training the young and prevent-
ing vice have come to me and deserve grateful recognition by
all.
A movement among women, largely growing out of our own
work, seems to be coming forward to claim public notice and
general support. My last report referred briefly and anony-
mously to the work of Mrs. Maria Upham Drake, now of New-
ton Center, Mass. She must pardon this public notice which
seems necessary to the explanation of what needs to be brought
before the annual meeting and the public for future considera-
tion. It is now about four years since Mrs. Drake, then living
in Brooklyn, N. Y., became interested in our work through
one of our papers on the Divorce question and applied for aid
in a course of study on the Family and the subjects growing
out of it. As briefly noted in our last report, she gave last
winter courses of five lectures to women in Boston and vicinity
on themes related to the Family. These were given through
churches or through the Woman's Christian Temperance
Unions. She has just completed six such courses in and near
Boston this winter, and in one or two instances has immediately
repeated them by request in the place of their first delivery.
Her new course, to be given Soon, is on topics like these : The
Family; The Home and the School; The Pschycological Train-
ing of the Home ; Marriage and Divorce; The Factor of
Sex. Much testimony has come to me of the great enthusiasm
with which these lectures have everywhere been received and
to their usefulness, as well as of the delicacy and tact shown in
their matter and method of treatment. These qualities and
the strong personal influence of Mrs. Drake, who is herself
able to spare for this work only a limited portion of her time
from her home duties as a wife and mother of young children,
have had much to do with their success.
But a deeper and stronger reason is found in the subjects
themselves and the new method of their treatment by a woman
speaking to women out of a common experience. The ap-
Q º
— I I —
proach to the themes from the study of the Family and its re-
lations to the Social Order of Society, historically and scientif-
ically considered, has given these lectures a hold upon women
that an individualistic treatment or a fragmentary discussion
on isolated topics touching the Family never can do. It is
this eager recognition by the average Christian women of the
truths that concern them, and of the larger view of the prob-
lems of women and the Family when presented by one who
has herself become imbued with the spirit of it, and who is
humbly trying to help others to look at them from her point of
view, that makes this an auspicious beginning, and justifies this
extended notice. In relating these facts and some similar be-
ginnings, I have heard from the most thoughtful and conserva-
tive clergymen the statement that they have been especially
impressed of late with the need of calling women into more
active service in doing woman's work for women. They have
come to see that in the aversion many have felt towards the
work of women of a certain class, the needed popular instruc-
tion on the Home and its problems has either been greatly
neglected or left to those whose thinking and teaching are in-
dividualistic and therefore inadequate. I have had applica-
tions to aid the reading of other women “in the way” to use their
own expression, “in which you have helped Mrs. Drake.” From
two cities, and from some who have heard her, suggestions have
come that we ought to have some systematic plan for interest-
ing women in the work we are doing for the Family, especially
those who for any reason now feel unable to work in present
organizations for helping women. -
It is also frequently suggested that local interest in our
work be developed and the League aided financially by some
system of associate membership, or by auxiliary leagues in var-
ious cities and towns. The former is probably the more feasi-
ble plan at present. It might at first cost some care, but it
would very likely prove useful. It is pretty clear that there is
a field now awaiting culture which all who love the Family and
all who desire to see women at work for their own sex, will be
glad to have us enter, should women in sufficient numbers in-
vite it. The large class of families from which the enemies of
domestic morals collect the most of their recruits, need the
— I *
2 –
assistance which our best women everywhere should give them;
and the League will do a great work if it shall thus awaken
fresh interest in woman's work in the Home.
The Home Department of the Sunday-school, which I de-
vised three years ago, is making steady progress in many
parts of the country. Its central idea, which is that of stimulating
the Home to greater activity in its own religious work, is gaining
recognition, and there are unmistakable signs of still further ad-
vance in the Christian use of the Family. Everywhere I have
made the remark, some thoughtful minds have promptly com-
mended the statement that in the marvelous development of
congregational and representative activity in religious work
which is characteristic of our times, sufficient attention has
not been given to the undeveloped possibilities of the Home.
Some papers I published on the Study of Social Institutions
in their relations to the Family have brought indications of
practical results. Among other things, an invitation has lately
come to me from the National Teachers' Association to read a
paper on the introduction of this study into the higher educa-
tional institutions before its next meeting in San Francisco in
July. But the expense in time and money will necessitate a
refusal of the important opportunity.
I find educators are favorably inclined to listen to sugges-
tions in regard to a closer co-operation of the School and the
Home in the general work of education. Something practical
will probably come of this idea in the course of time, as there
has already in the department of religious education. The
value of direct effort in the Home for the relief of society
from the evils of intemperance, poverty and the other vices,
and from crime, is becoming more and more appreciated. The
efforts of Miss Grace H. Dodge among the working girls of
New York, though entirely unconnected with our work in origin
and development, has the sympathy from us which a common
hold on the great idea of social regeneration through the Home
gives, and is a notable illustration of the growth of the true prin-
ciple. It is said that a distinguished English philanthropist has
given up her work of many years in trying to rescue fallen
women in England, and now devotes her energies to the pre-
vention of vice, and that mainly through attempts at making
better homes. She does this because it seems now the better
way. More people than ever are looking to the Home for the
solution of the problem of the slums of cities and that of
the millions more whose lives are spent remote from the church
and her ordinary agencies.
If my observation is correct, nothing is really doing more
for the specific reforms of the evils of Marriage and Divorce
than this broader constructive work for the Family. The
dawning conviction of what has been mostly held as an almost
unmeaning platitude, that the Family is the constructive and
reconstructive institution of society, is coming upon philan-
thropists, lecturers, teachers, and the clergy in a way and with
a force hitherto unknown. Practical experience drives men
and women to the Home as the place to lodge the principles of
reform. And the scientific study of social institutions, which
are largely expansions of the Family, is being welcomed be-
cause of the great practical value of it in these very directions.
It is a great present need that men of wealth become aware
that there is no greater unsupplied want of our educational
institutions than that which calls for gifts and endowments
devoted to the interests of the Family. The most discerning
minds see that Sociology is the coming science, and that the
family has the most fundamental and abiding place in it. Yet not
one of its topics has been so little studied in almost any way, and
certainly in that scientific and practical manner which character-
izes the other sciences, as the Family. The literature of the
Family, such as both public teachers and the people need, is
very meager. Many clergymen, whose opportunities for acad-
emical study are over, and earnest young men and women in our
higher institutions of learning, do not know where to find what
they want. A chair in some of our New England colleges,
both those for men and women, a lectureship which shall reach
pastors and teachers in leading centers, to teach the elements
of the Family as related to social institutions, a publication
fund for the dissemination of good, popular, yet scientifically
as well as Bibically correct literature, are foremost among the
needs that can possibly appeal to the rich givers of our times.
This, let it be understood, is not, said to turn our thoughts
to the rich for our best contributions, but only to meet this spe-
— I4 —
cific need. For as I gain experience, I am more and more per-
suaded that the great problem of finance in our benevolent
operations almost everywhere is to get the many to give liber-
ally and wisely according to their means, as the few only, both
rich and poor, now give. Now that the League has been le-
gally incorporated, it is hoped that legacies, as well as endow-
ments from the living, may come to us in due time.
The Executive Committee, for want of other available
means for doing the work, asked me to undertake the past year
the collection of funds, hoping themselves to join in the work
the last months, and, if possible, meet our expenses and get out
of debt. I have done what I could in the time that could be
spared from my proper work, and sometimes have seriously
infringed upon my duties as Secretary. As our work is better
understood and its results appear, there is increased readiness
to contribute to its support. Much would be gained if more
of our friends would anticipate our needs and give without
personal solicitation, as some already do more.
The receipts of the year, which were $2,515.92, are fifty
per cent, greater than in any former year, and for the first time
exceeds the expenses, but unfortunately do not pay the entire
indebtedness, though reducing it nearly one-half. The expenses
$1,2O4.66 of the year were $1,950.64, and the debt which was
at the beginning of the year, has been reduced to $639.38.
The annual meeting this year comes on that day in the Week
of Prayer observed by large numbers of churches when prayer
is especially made for the Family. Let us reverently hope
that our work for the coming year may receive more than ever
Divine aid and share in the answer to these petitions.
- SAMUEL W. DIKE,
January 4, 1888. Corresponding Secretary.
Associate MEMBERS.
THE LEAGUE voted at its annual meeting to invite gentle.
men and ladies interested in its work to become Associate
Members on payment of a fee of FIVE DOLLARs for each year
the membership is continued. Such persons are members in
full for the time, entitled to vote in the meetings of the League,
and will receive the reports and other publications of the
League as they may be issued.
–5–
It is thought that many will be glad of the opportunity to
connect themselves with this important work and thus keep
informed of the operations of the League and do something
for its support. -
Applications with enclosure of the annual fee should be ad-
dressed to REv. SAMUEL W. DIKE, Auburndale, Mass.
some Account of THE NATIONAL DIVORCE REFORM LEAGUE.
The New England Divorce Reform League was organized
in part, in Boston, Jan. 24, 1881, the same day of the Monday
Lecture given by Rev. Samuel W. Dike, on Facts as to Divorce
in New England. It grew out of a conviction among leading
men, especially in Connecticut and Massachusetts, who had for
a year or two been associated in these states for the specific pur-
pose of securing better legislation on Divorce, that the time
had come for concerted action throughout New England. Though
most of the gentlemen present at the organization shared in
the conviction expressed in the lecture that the Family was
the real and comprehensive question to be met, it seemed best
on account of the specific form the work had so far taken, and
for definiteness in presenting a new organization to the public,
that the words Divorce Reform should be the designation of a
League whose object, as defined later by the constitution,
should be “to promote an improvement in public sentiment and
legislation on the institution of the Family, especially as affected
by existing evils relating to Marriage and Divorce.” The League
was made National in name and scope in 1885. Ex. Pres.
Woolsey and Bp. Paddock have been its two Presidents, and
its Executive Committee and members have always been of
the high standing of the present list of officers.
It has been catholic in spirit and has had as officers and
members gentlemen from all the leading Protestant churches,
and also Catholics. It has no shibboleths and lays down no
creed upon the Family, but invites all to co-operate in securing
better public sentiment, better legislation and better ideas and
practice of Family life. It was not able to command the time
of its Corresponding Secretary, or do much work until Sep-
tember, 1882, and since then its entire receipts, until the close
of 1887, amounted to only $8,000, never reaching above $1,604 in
any in one year until 1887, when they were $2,515.92. Its
methods of work and results are in four leading directions.
— I6—
1. That of securing statistical and other information on
evils attacking the Family, especially those concerning Mar-
riage, Divorce, Unchastity, Illegitimacy, and the like. The
method is to begin with the facts and be guided in their light.
Mr. Dike has collected these statistics in several states and
many of those of Europe and Canada. A number of states
have been led to collect and publish their own statistics, and
after an effort of three or four years those of the whole coun-
try are being collected by the National Bureau of Labor by
direction of Congress. The recent Consular report on immi-
gration, issued by the State Department, was suggested and
urged by the League.
2. The encouragement of careful reforms in the laws pro-
tecting the Family. Suggestions are made, information and
incentives given, and correspondence and sometimes personal
conferences held, but the friends of reform are left and urged
to do their own work in the several states with these aids.
The more others will do of their own motion, and from the spirit
of reform we have awakened, the better for all concerned. About
twenty amendments of the Marriage and Divorce laws have
been made in eight or ten different states, largely through our
influence, and nearly everyone of them remains unchanged,
except for the better. In two or three states, divorces has
been reduced one-third or more. In others Marriage has for
the first time come under decent legal regulation. The author
of American Statute Laws says that the tide of loose divorce
legislation has apparently turned.
3. Educational work has preceded and guided all legisla-
tive work and reached far beyond it and beneath it all. This
has probably done more for Divorce Reform than more direct
work for that object alone. Lectures on the Family, Family
Law, and Divorce have been given in more than a score of
colleges, universities, law schools and theological seminaries.
Many papers have been read before scientific bodies, clubs and
eccleasiastical conventions. A large number of articles have
been published by the Secretary in reviews and newspapers,
and he has charge of a widely read department of sociological
notes in one of the Reviews. An interest has been awakened
and directed in the study of social institutions for practical
purposes, to which the key is found in a knowledge of the
Family, and a wide correspondence and personal conferences
have been carried on with statesmen, editors, lecturers, minis-
isters, teachers and missionaries on these subjects. A success-
ful lecturer to women and two or three special students have
already been turned to their vocations by this part of our work.
4. The better use of the Family in the practical work of
society. The Secretary invented, and put into the hands of
Sunday-school men, the Home Department of the Sunday-
school, as a practical application of what needs doing for the
Family, and it is rapidly being introduced over the country.
His personal influence and pen have stimulated the inventive
skill of pastors and others to make applications of their own in
the better use of the Family in Christian work. The subject
of closer co-operation between the Home and the public school
has been brought before educators, and some useful results are
likely to be secured.
A gentleman whose official position for many years has
brought all the leading social reforms under his immediate no-
tice, says that not one of them in the first ten years of its or-
ganization secured the broad and thorough results of the
League in the six years it has really been in the field.
Its debt was reduced nearly one-half last year. It will take
$3,000 to finish payment on this and meet the current expenses
of 1888, when most important work demands our attention.
PlUBLISHED PAPERS BY REV. SAMUEL W. D.I.K.E.
As constant inquiry are made for the writings of Mr. Dike on
the Family and kindred themes, a list of the more important
and accessible of his articles is given. Of those to which the
word Reprinted is attached, a few copies can be supplied at the
price named, by addressing him at Auburndale, Mass., except
the paper on the Perils of the Family, which can be had freely
for a time, as soon as it is printed. The others must now
be sought in the designated places of publication. -
FACTs As To DrvoRCE IN NEw ENGLAND: One of the
Monday Lectures of 1880-1881, delivered in Tremont Temple,
Boston, Jan. 24, 1881, and printed in several newspapers and
in the volume entitled Christ and Modern Thought. Roberts
Brothers, Boston. It may now be read as the opening of views
on the subject and for some statistics as to social vices.
3
— I 8 —
THE EFFECT OF LAx DIVORCE LEGISLATION UPON THE STA-
BILITY OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS: Read Sept. 8, 1881, before
the General Meeting of the American Social Science Associa-
tion, at Saratoga, and printed in the Journal of Social Science,
Nov. I 88I. - -
SOME ASPECTs of THE DIvorce QUESTION: Princeton Re-
view, March, 1884. Reprinted, 8 cents. Contains brief out-
lines of statistics in this country and Europe, with a survey of
the social causes of the present evils touching the Family, and
some discussions of the wider bearings of the subject.
IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE DIvorce QUESTION FOR
HoNILETICAL TREATMENT: Two short articles in the Homilet?-
cal Review for October and November, 1885. A condensed
statement of facts and principles with suggestions.
THE FAMILY IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY: A lecture
delivered before the American Institute of Christian Philoso-
phy, July 27, 1885, and published in Christian Thought, Dec.
1885. Reprinted, 20 cents. A plea for the re-examination of
the subject in the interests of science and for its bearing on
practical problems. -
THE PERILS OF THE FAMILY: A paper read before the Con-
ference of the Evangelical Alliance in Washington, Dec. 8,
1887. Published in the volume of Proceedings, (the Brown &
Taylor Publishing Co., N. Y.,) and reprinted for distribution by
the National Divorce Reform League.
THE STUDY OF SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS : Reasons for such
study in colleges, etc., presented in Sociological Notes; An-
dover Review, March, 1886. Their study by Country Pastors,
Reasons, Sketch of a practicable method and References to the
most accessible books: Homiletical Review, Nov. 1886.
THE VERIFICATION OF SOCIAL STATISTICs : Amdover Re-
view, Jan. I887. Containing a brief presentation of the meth-
ods and tests of various forms of Divorce statistics, with re-
marks on religious and temperance statistics.
THE HOME DEPARTMENT OF THE SUNDAY-scHool: The
Pilgrim Teacher for January and February, 1886; Congrega-
tional Publishing. Society, Boston. A paper read before the
New England Congregational Sunday-school Convention. in
Park Street church, Boston, Nov. 14, 1885, explaining the oper-
ation of, and giving practical and scientific reasons for, the
larger use of the Family in what is now pretty widely known
as the Home Department of the Sunday-school.
THE RELIGIOUS PROBLEM OF THE COUNTRY TOWN : Andover
Keview for August, 1884, and January, June and September,
1885. A series of four articles giving a practical study of
this subject largely from the view of inductive and comparative
sociology, and including many references to the Family.
Further on this subject see Sociological Notes in the Andover
Review for July, 1886, containing a summary of the results of
a statistical investigation by Rev. Henry Fairbanks, Ph. D., of
44 towns in Vermont, and in the same for November, 1887, for
some account of movements connected with this subject, or
growing out of its discussion. To this class belongs the next
reference also. * &
READJUSTMENTS IN THE CHURCH TO MEET MODERN NEEDs
IN COUNTRY Towns: Proceedings of the American Congress
of Churches. Case, Lockwood & Brainerd Co., Hartford. A
paper read before the American Congress of Churches in
Cleveland, May, 1886.
For remarks on the National aspects of the problem of the
Family, and the popular demand for a National Divorce Law,
besides the articles in the Princeton and Homiletical Reviews
already noted, see The Independent as follows:
THE FAMILY BEFORE THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, March
11, 1886.
PROGRESS IN THE POLITICAL TREATMENT OF THE FAMILY,
Dec. 2, 1886.
DOMESTIC MORALITY OF IMMIGRANTS FROM EUROPE, Oct.
2O, 1887. - --
The last is a summary, from official and other sources, of
statistics on the subject. For letter, and comments on it by
the editor, on the Study of Social Institutions, see Boston Her-
ald for Jan. 9, 1888.
Those desiring it, can be furnished on application to Mr.
Dike, with a list of references to the Literature of Divorce and
the Family. It is a list of two pages prepared two years ago
for the use of ministers and general students. For leading
articles of the year by other members and friends of the League,
see page 17 of this report. A valuable paper on the history of
the Celebration of Marriàge in Europe appears in the Atlantic
Monthly for February, where probably a second on the same in
this country during the colonial period, and a third giving the
later history, will also be published in later numbers.
— 20 —
Receipts of the NATIONAL DIVORCE REFORM LEAGUE for
the year ending Dec. 31, 1887.
The first three are contributions made in 1886.
January
Feb'y
I
I
I
6
8
I3
I 5
I8.
I8
I8
2O
22
22
22
I 2
I3
I3
I3
I3
28
29
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
.25
25
3 I
II
I6
23
25
28
26
24
22
I 5
I4
Hon. Alphus Hardy, Boston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Io
Frederick D. Allen, Esq., Boston . . . . . . . . ........ IO
Hamilton A. Hill, Esq., Boston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
St. Johns' Church, Stamford Ct., ($10 for debt). . . . . . . . 20
G. W. W. Dove, Esq., Andover, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2O
Dr. G. C. Shattuck, Boston, (debt) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2O
W. O. Grover, Esq., Boston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
E. W. Mason, Esq., Providence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
Mrs. J. N. Mason, Providence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
George H. Corliss, Esq., Providence". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2O
Hon. Arthur Whitin, Whitins, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
George W. Russell, Esq., Worcester, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . 5
Rev. Alex. R. Vinton, Worcester, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
Chas. A. Peabody, M. D., Worcester, Mass. . . . . . . • . . . . Io
First Congregational Church, Middletown, Ct . . . . . . . . . Io
Rev. T. T. Munger, D. D., New Haven, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Rev. E. .T Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury, Vt. . . . . . • • ? - - - - - - 2
Rev. Chas. S. Smith, Montpelier, Vt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Rev. J. H. Edwards, New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Central Congregational Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., Rev. A.
D. F. Behrende, D. D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . • 29
Rev. W. D. Williams, Essex Junction, Vt........ . . . . . 5
Rev. Alvah Hovey, D. D., L.L. D., Newton Centre... . . . I
Rev. W. E. Merriman, D. D., Somerville, Mass. . . . . . . . 5
Miss Dora A. Maerty, Quincy Ill..... is & s e e s e º s e s a e º s > -
Rev. C. H. Spaulding, Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Hon. Chas. Theodore Russell, Cambridge, Mass. . . . . . Io
L. F. Haskell, San Francisco, Cal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 5
Rev. F. B. Makepeace, Andover, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Rev. Thomas W. Thompson, Worcester, Mass......... 5
William G. Benedict, Esq., Boston, Mass., ($10 for debt) 20
Rt. Rev. H. A. Neely, D. D., Portland, Maine. . . . . . . . . . 5
Mrs. George B. Walbridge, Brooklyn, N. Y. . . . . . . . . . . . I
Samuel A. Pratt, Esq., Worcester, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
A. C. Tenney Esq., Chelsea, Mass. . . . . ... it º’ - e s is º e - a . . . . . I
Hon. Robbins Battell, Norfolk, Ct...... • - - - - - - - . . . . 25
Rev. B. K. Pierce, D. D., Newton Center, Mass........ 3
Rt. Rev. Benj. H. Paddock, D. D., Boston, Mass. . . . . . .20
Rev. W. H. H. Moore, Hartford, Ct. . . . . . . . ... ...... 5
Joseph W. Smith, Esq., Andover, -Mass........ . . . . . . . 25
Pres. G. B. D. Pepper, D. D., Waterville, Maine... ... I
Rev. P. S. Pratt, Dorset, Vt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I
Piedmont Congregational Church, Worcester, Mass.... 25
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OO
oo
35
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oo
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oo
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Feb'y
March
April
May
June
June
July
24 G. Henry Whitcomb, Esq., Worcester, Mass. . . . . . . . . . 2O
24 Prof. William Lawrence, Cambridge, Mass . . . . . . . . . . . I 5
28 Prof. E. Y. Hincks, Andover, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
8 John B. Church, Denver, Col . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
II Genl. S. C. Armstrong, Hampton, Va. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
I5 Congregational Club, of Hartford, Ct., (for expenses).... 12
I5 Roland Mather, Esq., Hartford, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 5
17 Rev. Arthur Lawrence, Rector St. Paul's, Stockbridge,
Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2O
2 I W. W. Lockwood, Esq., Springfield, Mass . . . . . . . . . . . IO
2 I Rev. A. B. Hunter, Denver, Col . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
21 Prof. C. W. Fearing, South Weymouth, Mass. . . . . . . . . . 5
I2 Rev. F. H. Johnson, Andover, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2O
16 Grace Church, New York, Easter Offering, by Rev. W. R.
Huntington, D. D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IOO
2O Rev. A. A. Miner, D. D., Boston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2I “A lady” Randolph, Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
22 J. N. Denison, Esq., Boston, Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
26 Hon. Frederick Billings, Woodstock, Vt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5O
27 Hon. Jeremiah Halsey, Norwich, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
28 State Street Congregational Church, Portland, Maine... 25
2 H. O. Houghton, Esq., Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
2 Christ Church, Hartford, Conn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Io Rev. D. Merriman, D. D., Worcester. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
I4 Ephraim Whitman, Esq., Worcester, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . 25
I6 Rev. H. J. Patrick, Newton, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
I8 Chas. L. Thomas, Providence, R. I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
18 St. John's Church, by Rev. C. A. L. Richards, Providence 25
18 John McAuslan, Esq., Providence, R. I. . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
18 Rev. Augustus Woodbury, Providence, R. I. . . . . . . . . . . . 5
31 St. Stephen's Church, Providence, R. I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
2 Col. Jacob L. Greene, Hartford, Ct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2 Hon. N. Shipman, Hartford, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2 J. N. Allen, Esq., Hartford, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
2 Rev. S. O. Seymour, Hartford, Ct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
2 Hon. Henry C. Robinson, Hartford, Ct. . . . . . - - - - - - - - 5
3 Prof. L. O. Brastow, New Haven, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
3 Pres. Timothy Dwight, New Haven, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
3 E. R. Brown, Esq., New Haven, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
3 Rev. W. S. Rainsford, New York. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4 Pres. G. B. D. Pepper, Waterville, Me... . . . . . . . . . * * I
13 Rev. C. L. Woodworth, Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
27 H. G. Ludlow. Esq., Troy, N. Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
29 Hon. P. L. Moen, Worcester, Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
30 Trinity Church, New Haven, Conn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
8 St. Paul’s Church, New Haven, Conn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8 St. John's Church, Lowell, Mass, (in part) . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
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— 22 —
July
15 Church of the Good Shepherd, Hartford, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . 5
27 Wm. H. Cooley, Esq., Auburndale, Mass ... . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
Aug. 8 Hon. Felix R. Bennett, Pittsburg, Pa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
I5 Rev. E. B. Holley, D. D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - * e º ſº g º O & IO
I 5 St. Paul's Church, Pawtucket, R. I. . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . IO
18 First Congregational Church, Nashua, N. H. . . . . . . . . . . . I6
29 Edwin Ginn, Esq., Winchester, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Sept. 6 Rev. S. O. Seymour, Hartford, Ct., (bal. of contrib.). . . . Io
- 8 Grace Church, Newton, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
12 Hon. W. E. Dodge, New York. . . . . . . '• - - - - - - - - - - - , IOO
22 Dr. George C. Shattuck, Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2O
23 Rev. J. H. Dennison, D. D., Williamstown, Mass . . . . . IO
26 Rev. Alvah Hovey, D. D., LL.D., Newton Center, Mass. 5
27 Grace Church, Providence, R. I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5O
29 Hon. B. V. French, Lynn, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
October 4 Congregational Church, Malden, Mass............ '• * * * * 7
6 Immanuel Church, New York, by Rev. Arthur Brooks. . . Io
I5 Congregational Church, Pawtucket, R. I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
I5 Joseph G. Carey, Esq., Roxbury, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
I5 Samuel Johnson, Esq., Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Io
I 5 Central Congregational Church, Providence, R. J. . . . . . . 25
I7 Fred. D. Allen, Esq., Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . • - - - - - - - IO
I9 Hon. Edmund H. Bennett, LL. D., Boston, Mass. . . . . . Io
24 George Ripley, Esq., Andover, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
24 Prof. William Thompson, D. D., Hartford, Conn. . . . . . 5
24 Dr. E. T. Eastman, Boston, Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I
25 Prof. Edward Conant, Randolph, Vt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
25 Rev. S. J. M. Merwin, New Haven, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
26 Dr. E. H. Bishop, New Haven, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Nov. I Joseph H. Gray, Esq., Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . 5
2 Ezra H. Baker, Boston, Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2 L. A. Wright, Esq., Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . ** = * * * * 5
2 A lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I
4 Rev. A. J. Sullivan, Norwich, Ct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4 Rev. E. R. Alden, D. D., Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
4 Rev. E. E. Strong, Auburndale, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4 Rev. Joshua Coit, Winchester, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 Rev. D. W. Waldron, Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . * * * * * * ... I
4 Rev. A. E. Dunning, D. D., Boston, Mass . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 S. B. Capen, Esq., Jamaica, Plains, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . IO
4 Trinity Church, Boston, by Rev. Phillips Brooks, D. D.. Ioo
4 Rev. Daniel Merriman, D. D., Worcester, Mass . . . . IO
6 Rev. T. T. Munger, D. D., New Haven, Conn. . . . . . . . . 5
Io Hon. B. Douglas, Middletown, Ct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
I3 Rev. Morgan Dix, D. D., D. C. L., New York. . . . . . . . . . 25
I3 Rev. Joseph Cook, Ticonderoga, N. Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IO
I5 Rev. John G. Davenport, Waterbury, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
OO
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66
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Nov.
Dec.
oo
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $195o 64
Paid on debt of I2O4,66 due Corresponding Secretary..... , 565 28
Leaving due Corresponding Secretary, December 31, 1887. 639 38
16 First Congregational Church, Norwich, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 OO
16 Hon. Frederick Billings, New York. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IOO OO
16 Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, D. D., New York. . . . . . . . . . 2O OO
2 I D. Willis James, Esq., New York. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IOO OO
23 Rev. Joseph Anderson, D. D., Waterbury, Ct. . . . . . . . . 2O
29 Thanksgiving offering, Congregational Churches, Lowell,
Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . * * * * * * * * * * * * * . . . . . . . . . I3 45
3 Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Hartford Ct. . . . . . 2O OO
3 Rev. A. J. Gordon, D. D., Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . 25 od
5 Rev. G. L. Demarest, D. D., Manchester, N. H. . . . . . . I O OO
5 First Universalist Church, Manchester, N. H. . . . . . . . . . I 5 OO
5 Rev. S. P. Cook, Chelsea, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 OO
5 Hon. A. C. Barstow, Providence, R. 1. . . . . . . a e g º me tº e g º & 5 OO
5 Rev. Albert G. Lawson, D. D., Boston, Mass . . . . . . . . . I 5 OO
5 Ezra Farnsworth, Esq., Boston, Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2O Oo
5 Rev. Geo. A. Gordon, Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I O OO
7 Hon. P. C. Cheney, Manchester, N. H. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . IO OO
9 Rev. D. L. Furber, D. D., Newton Center, Mass. . . . . . . 2 OO
12 Joseph Lippitt, Esq., Providence, R. I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Oo
13 Rev. G. L. Dickerman, Amherst, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I O OO
I9 Caleb R. Pillsbury, Esq., Lawrence, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 OO
I9 St. Paul's Church, Boston, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Oo
20 J. W. Danielson, Esq., Providence, R. I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2O OO
2 I First Church, Hartford, Conn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Oo
2I First Congregational Church, Amherst, Mass. . . . . . . . . . . IO OO
23 Rev. Theodore D. Woolsey, D. D. L.L. D., New Haven,
Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . * * * * * * : * * * * * * * * * * g º º ‘. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4O OO
28 First Congregational Church, Hyde Park, Mass. . . . . . . . . . IO OO
29 C. H. Williams, Meriden, Ct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 OO
30 Prof. Simeon E. Baldwin, New Haven, Ct... . . . . . . . . . . 50 oo
3o Kings' Chapel, Boston, by Rev. H. A. Foote, D. D. . . . . 50 Oo
Total receipts for 1887. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 I 5 92
EXPENDITURES IN 1887.
Salary of Corresponding Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.5oo Oo
Traveling expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 OI
Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 29
Postage and Stationery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 65 38
Advertising, Express, rent, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 69 96
— 24 —
The following are comments, some of them from extended
editorials, on the reports of the annual meeting :
The Divorce Reform League deserves cordial endorsement and support.
It is accomplishing results which, considering its recent establishment and
limited means, are little less than marvellous. It has created a literature in
a field where none worthy the name existed before, and it has powerfully set
in motion a current of public opinion on a matter of vital moment concerning
which there had previously been a most perilous and shameful apathy.—BOSTON
ADVERTISER, January 6, 1888. -
Not much noise is made by the promotors of the National Divorce Reform
League in their efforts to preserve the purity and integrity of the Family life,
but when the annual summing up of results is presented in one of Secretary
Dike's clear cut reports, like that read at the annual meeting in this city last
week, the public learns the value of its quiet yet persistent work.-The
League works on broad lines, and it works constructively. It ought, therefore,
to receive cordial support. —CONGREGATIONALIST, January 12, 1888.
The vast influence of the League, the good it contemplates, the heroic
purpose of its mission, it would seem, would commend it to the heartiest
sympathy and aid of all well wishers of good society. —(BAP.) WATCHMAN.
The Society reports a prosperous year—thanks, especially, to Rev. S. W.
Dike, the Corresponding Secretary, the magnitude and value of whose work
need only to be known to win for him the grateful thanks of all who prize
social purity and the integrity of the marriage tie.-ZION's HERALD.
It is no small thing for a reform which was begun in faith eight years ago
to reach so soon such a healthy development as this.-BOSTON HERALD,
January 6,
The work which Mr. Dike has been doing in the last eight or ten years
has been poineer work in the study of social institutions, and his, attention
to them marks the beginning of a new epoch in our American development.
The present tendency in all our younger scholars is toward the method of
procedure which Mr. Dike has applied to his studies of the Family, and it is
the growth and importance of these studies which suggest the increasing at-
tention to these investigations in our universities and schools of professional
education.--BOSTON HERALD, January 9.
As I have studied the work of the League year by year, I am impressed
with the grasp it has already upon educators, legislators, State and National,
and upon literature. In his quiet, philosophic way, the Secretary, as a
student of sociology, has not only brought valuable information before the
public, but has so taken his departure from the Family as the constructive
point from which to work out social problems that a new feature of political
science is presenting itself to economists.-Boston Correspondent CHRIS-
TIAN UNION. .
“The existence of the League isjustified a thousand fold.”—THE STANDARD
(Chicago,) January 19, 1888. . . . . ,

In line 18, page I4,
• * : * 23,
& 4 & 6 4,
6 & 6 & 24,
4 & 6 & 28,
( & & 6 29,
6 & © & 38,
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& 6 6 & 5,
{ % & 4 8,
& &
& 6
I6,
2O,
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22,
22,
23,
ERRATA.
Omit “more.”
“has”
“Alphus.”
“Behrende”
“Maerty”
“Spaulding”
“New Haven, Ct.,”
“Bennett”
“Holley”
“$2O.oo”
should be haze.
& 4 “ Alpheus.
& 4 ‘‘ Behrends.
& 4 ‘‘ Maertz.
“ “ Spalding.
£ 6 “ Dozer, AV. A.
& 6 ** Brzezzoff.
“ “ Halley.
& 4 “ $50.o.o.
N. B. By an oversight the Secretary failed to return the proof sheet on
which the above corrections were made, and the error was not discovered
until the whole had been printed.
f
*CONSTITUTION<
* —OF–
The National DiVOICE Reform LEATE,
# in tº gi º ºr ºf
ARTICLE I. This Association shall be called the NATIONAL DIvorce RE-
FORM LEAGUE.
ART. II. Its object shall be to promote an improvement in public senti-
ment and legislation on the institution of the Family, especially as affected
by existing evils relating to Marriage and Divorce. It may co-operate with
auxiliary or other bodies having similar aims in such ways as may be deemed
expedient
ART. III. It shall consist of the following persons, having power to fill
vacancies and to add to their number.
ART. IV. The officers of this Society shall be a President, not more than
five Vice-presidents, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a
Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of not more than twelve persons, of
which Committee the Corresponding Secretary shall be a member, and of
which not less than three shall constitute a quorum, having the duties indi-
cated in their several offices; to be elected at the annual meeting, and to
hold office until their successors are appointed.
ART. V. The LEAGUE shall hold its annual meeting on the first Wednes-
day in January, unless otherwise directed by the Executive Committee, and
at such hour and place as shall be indicated in the call of the Committee.
ART. VI. Amendments of this Constitution, of which due notice shall
have been given in the call of any annual meeting, may be adopted at such
meeting by the vote of two-thirds of the members present.
ALL COMMUNICATIONS concerning the work of the LEAGUE and its general
business should be addressed to the Corresponding Secretary, Rev. SAMUEL
W. DIKE, AUBURNDALE, MASS.
CONTRIBUTIONS should be sent to the Treasurer, WILLIAM G. BENEDICT,
ESQ., 6Io Atlantic Avenue, Boston.
FORM OF BEQUEST.
I hereby give and bequeath to the NATIONAL DIVORCE REFORM LEAGUE,
a Corporation created by the laws of the State of Connecticut, or its suc-
cessor or assigns, the sum of ... ....... . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * dollars, the principal [or
income as may be desired] of which is to be used for the purposes for which
..said Corporation was chartered.