The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-01-25


The latest inilovation iu the usage
and custom Of the Established Church
of Scotland is the celebration OF marriage
publicly in Church before the cou,rega.
ton, instead of privately at the res depoe
Of the parties, the former mode, it is all
legged, being in conformity with the d,.
rectory OF pubic worship ard tts
ancient practice Of the Presbyterian
Church. Apropos OF this innovation,
the following incident may be related.
1t probably occurred in the ancient times
referred to, but the date is rot material
The afternoon services had ended, and
the congregation were arranging thens
selves for the benedictiou, when, to ths
manifest interest Of the worshipers, tho
good parson descended to the desk be-
low, aud said in calm, clear voice /:
"Those Wishing to be united in the
holy bonds Of matrimopy, will now
please come forward" E"
A deep stille instantly fell over the
congregation, broken ouly by the rust.
ling ot the silk, as some pretty girl or
excited matron changed her position to-
catch the first view 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 uuheard or mis-.
understood, repeated ..
lie: those wishing TO be united iu
the holy bonds OF mstrimony now CONC
forward"
Still no one stirred. The silence be.
came almost audible, aud painful
sense Of awli wardness among those prrs-
ent was felt when u young gentleman
who occupied a vacant seat III the broad
aisle during the service, deliberately
arose aud walked to the foot of the altar.
lie was good looking and well dressed,
but no female accompanied his travels.
When he arrived within respectful
distance Of the clergyman he paused,
aud wsth a reyerentiaI bow stepped to
one side Of the aisle, but neither said
anything nor seemed at AL Disconnected
at the idea Of being married alone.
The clergyman looked anxiously ar.
ound for the bride who lie supposed was
yet to arrive. aud at length remarked to
the young gentleman in IN undertone a:
The lady, sir, is dilatory.'
Yes, sir"
Had you not better defer the cero-
mony 7"
think not"
Do you suppose thai she will be
here soon?'
Me. sir" said the young gentleman,
G how should l know OF the laGy's
movements
\ lew moments were suffered to eli.
apse in this unpleasant state oil cxpcc.
fancy, when the clergyman renewed his
lntcrrOgatorleE.
Did the lady promise to attend a:
the present hour, sir ?
What lady?"
Why, the lady to be sure, that you
are waiting here for"
Il did not hear her say anything
about it" was the unsatisfactory reply.
Then sir, may | ask you why you
are here, and for what purpose you thus
trihe in the sanctuary Of the Mos,
High :? said the somewhat enraged
clerical
came, sir, simply because you in>
vited all those wishing to be united in
the holy bonds OF matrimony, to step
forward and happened to entertain
such wish. | am very sorry TO have
misunderstood you, sir, and wish you
very good day"
The beuediction was uttered in SOL
emnity OF tone very little in accordance
with the twitching of the facial nerves,
aud when, after the church was closed
the story got among the congregation,
more than one young girl regretted that
the young gentleman, who really wished
20 be united in the holy bonds of mat
rimony, had been obliged to depart
without a wife.