Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-06-10
Scene in Church-NOvel Style of
Marriage Announcements - The
Young Man who Desired 10 be
Wed.

AOuHS NAdA VINO DeSAEcu 10 DC
Wed.
The latest innovation in the usage and
custom of the Established Church of Scot
land, is the celebration of marriage public
ly in church before the congregation, in
steal of privately, at the residence of the
parties, the former mode, it is alleged, be-
ing in conformity with the directory of
public worship, and the ancient practice of
the Presbyterian Church. Apropos of this
innovation, the following incident may be
related. 1t probably occurred in the anci-
ent times referred to, but the date is not
material: The afternoon services had en-
ded, and the congregation were arranging
themselves for the benediction, when, to
the manifest interest of the worshippers,
the good parson descended from the pulpit
to the desk below, and said in calm, clear
voice:
Those wishing to be united in the holy
bonds OF matrimony, will now please come
forward"
A deep stiffness instantly fell over the
congregation, broken only by the rustling
of the silk. as some pretty girl or excited
matron changed her position to catch the
tirstview of the couple to be married. No
one, however, arose, or seemed in the least
inclined to rise. Whereupon the worthy
Clergyman, deeming the first notice un-
heard or misunderstood, repeated: sa
"Iet those wishing to be united in the
holy bonds of matrimony now come for
ward" ---.. Lila.
Still no one stirred. The silence became
almost audible, and a painful sense of awk-
wardness among those present was felt,
when a young gentleman who occupied a
vacant seat in the broad aisle during the
service, slowly arose and deliberately
walked to the foot of the altar. He was
good looking and well dressed, but no fe-
male accompanied his travels. When he
nf 4,
clergyman he paused, and with a reverend
bow stepped to one side of the aisle, but
neither said anything, nor seemed at all
Disconnected at the idea of being married
alone. s-...--.--. ..
The clergyman looked anxiously around
for the bride, who, he supposed, was yet to
arrive, and at len 9Th remarked to the young
gentleman in an undertone: r-r,
'' rhe lady, slr, Is dIlaVory.'
ssYes. sir.'' on IL Trn-EtE =
oHad you not better defer the ceremo-
ny?"
"Do you suppose she will be here soon 30
sMe, sir" said the young gentleman,
show should 1 know of the lady's move
ments ?n -.-.. .~ --
A few moments were suffered to elapse
in this unpleasant state of expectancy,
when the clergyman renewed his interro-
gatories.
"Oid the lady promise to attend at the
present hour, sir?" -..
What lady? ?" r-...r. ..-- ........
"why, the lady, to be sure, that you are
waiting here for" 500.
Il did not hear her say anything about
it." was the unsatisfactory response.
s'Then, sir, may ask you why you are
here, and for what purpose you thus trifle
in the sanctuary of the Most High ?" said
the somewhat enraged clerical. rsz.-
Il came, sir, simply because you invited
all those wishing to be united in the holy
bonds of matrimony 20 step forward; and
happened to entertain such wish. l am
very sorry to have misunderstood you, sir,
and wish you vary good day." --
The benediction was uttered in the
solemnity of tone very little in accordance
with the twitching of the facial nerves,
and when, after the church was closed, the
story got amongst the congregation, more
than one girl regretted that the young gen
tleman who really wished to be united in
the holy bonds of IEatrimony, had been
obliged-to depart without wife.