The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-07-02
A QUAKER WEDDING.

Quaker Meeting House, on Filth street;
Mr.. HENRY SHlPLEY of this city, to Miss
HANNAH d. TAYLOR of Neport.
A large company assembled at the un-
ostentatious church Of the Society OF
Friends yesterday at / l o'clock, to witness
so unusual an occurrence as a Quaker
wedding. As the spirit moved us to be
present, we propose to give description
of the ceremony. twas regular month.
ly meeting of the Friends, small though
highly respected Society worshiping regu-
larly at the house above mentioned.-
When we arrived the church was nearly
filled with young ladies who had been at
tracted there by curiosity, their gay dres.
ses contrasting strongly with the sober
drab of the three or four rows of Quaker
ladies occupying seats on the opposite side
of the house, and fronting the main audi
ence. The shad-bellies and broad-brims
slipped quietly into the seats in the men s
division of the house, and commenced
their silent communion with their own spir-
its and the spirits Of the unseen world.
After half hours profound silence, there
was some appearance of uneasness among
the spectators. We were amused at
whispered conversation between a country
girl and her more knowing city compan-
ion.
"What do these women wear such aw-
full looking bonnets for! They look like
half hornets nest; half coal-scuttle."
"Hush; that's the Quaker fashion,"
"Where is their minister!'
"They have no minister"
"Who breaches then!"
"All of them, or any of them, just as
they happen TO feel"
"Why don't the meeting begin!"
"Hush up; the meeting has been begun
this half hour"
"Why, nobody has said word, and the
men have got their hats on.'
"Never mind, somebody will speak
soon, provided the spirit moves them. and
they always wear their hats in church,
20, know; they are waiting for the
bride and groom"
mo, indeed, they've been here half an
hour; don't you see them sitting directly
opposite-that handsome young man in
gold specs. and the lady beside him, dres-
sed in plain white satin"
81 want 10 know if that's them; they
don't look Quakerish bit. | should like
to know who's agoing to marry them?"
"Nobody; they will marry themselves. :"
"Marry themselves! well, why in the
world don't they begin? What are they
waiting for?"
"Waiting for the spirit to move"
Another half hour passed in solemn ST.
lence, at the end Of which time the bride
and bridegroom arose, facing the audience,
the bridegroom pronounced the following
words:
81, Henry Shipley, in the presence Of
God, and of this assembly, take this wo-
man to be my welded wife, promising,
! with Divine assistance, to be a faithful and
loving husband, as long as we both shall
live"
The bride then, in a voice somewhat
faltering, repeated a similar declaration,
and both sat down.
Two young men Of the Society then
placed before them small bible, contain
ing huge parchment scroll, which they
opened. and in the presence Of the as
sembly the bride and groom affixed their
signatures. An elder of the church then
read the document aloud to the audience.
1t set forth that the parties had, at the reg
ular monthly meeting preceding, signified
their intention of marriage, that the Socie-
ty had approved of the same, and that by
their joint declarations and signatures they
had arrived "full accomplishment Of their
intentions" He then stated that all the
Friends were invited to sign as Witnesses
after the close of the meeting.
After few moments more of silence
the newly married couple suddenly rose
and left the church, and were followed by
the whole congregation. The audience
was well pleased with the ceremony, which
we think was the most sensible we ever
Witnessed Cincinnati Nonpareu.