The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1867-02-14
A slow Marriage Ceremony.

Recently, NOT many miles distant
from Washington, a couple whom we
will indicate as Mr.. J. and Miss
H, were to be married, and the
somewhat slow going Elder - was
called upon to perform the ceremony.
The parties all being ready, the Elder
proceeded as follows: Gentlemen and
ladies, l hold in my hand authority
from the State of Maryland to unite
Mr.. j and Miss H in the
bonds of matrimony. Doubtless you
all expect some sort of ceremony this
evening". but my voice is weak, my
health is bad, and I have had disease
of the throat for year or more
Different churches have different forms,
and different countries have different
forms for my part have no FORM
do not remember any form. In some
countries it is not so easy to get mar
ried as in this free and happy country,
and in some States they marry with
out license. In some countries it is
required that the marriage shall take
place at the hour of midnight; just as
the clock strikes twelve the company
take their lamps and go forth to meet
the bridegroom, and then they all go
into the house and the door is shut,
and no one is allowed to enter in after
ward. Yes, my friends, the door is
shut, and no one is allowed to enter
in afterward. Yes, my friends the
door is shut, and if you come then
you may cry your eyes out. and you
may wear your knee out praying, but
you'll never get in, for the door is shut.
But this is not the case in our once
free and happy country. AS said
before, my lungs are weak, and must
make the ceremony as short as posi-
BILE. My friends, it gives me much
pleasure to see young and loving
| couple like this, with their hearts
| united in the bonds of affection,
| come to be joined in mar
riage; and you must recollect
my young friends that you cannot live
together always-one> of you will be
taken by the cold, icy fingers OF death
| and laid in the dark and narrow grave,
| and the other will be left to weep over
| the dear remains. Marriage is an old
institution; it is spoken of in the first
| of the Bible. It is an old institution
| it is an honorable institution; it is 9
moral institution. All Of you like it
and you all encourage tall of the
young people like it. The old would
| like to be young again that they might
once more feel the influence of upid's
darts. Come on all of you. do moi
remember any ceremony, but I reckon
know enough to join these two to-
| gether suppose before proceed
must ask the usual questions. Is there
any one present who knows any JUS
cause why Mr.. j. and Miss H., ma,
| not lawfully be joined in the bonds o
matrimony7 (After apause) No ont
! says anything, SO / suppose there is nc
reason. Mr.. j. and Miss H., viii
you please give your right hand !? Mr.
Is. will you take the lady whose hane
| you hold to be your lawful and wed
ded wife Will you love, cherish ane
protect her /? eyes, sir." Miss
will you take the gentleman whose
right hand you hold, to be your law
full and welded husband Will yot
love, and honor and obey him in al
his reasonable requests ? 81 will.
8 now pronounce you husband ane
wife, man, and wife, or mate and help
mate, which I much prefer. Th'
ceremony was concluded with Ions
prayer, in which he prayed for al
mankind, collectively and individually
and at the end the contracting parties
and the guests joined with considera
BILE haartiness in the aAmen.
Il A board Of engineers has beel
ordered to report on the repair ant
notifications of Forts Sumter, Pinck
ney and Moultrie, and the prophet.