The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-23
HYMEN's CARNIVAL.
The Altar Piled High with BIissfui
yictims-FOur Couples Married at
the Same Time.

The Grace-street Baptist church was on
Yesterday morning the scene Of a most in
teresting and extraordinary occurrence
so unusual indeed that we exceedingly
doubt whether IL has ever had It's parallel
since Richmond became a city. IL was the
marriage Of four couples at one time, and
substantially under one ceremony. The
gentlemen involved in this pleasing affair
were personal friends, and, finding that
they had all arranged to enter the blessed
bondage OF matrimony during the present
month. determined TO be married in COM
panv, provided the young ladies were in
Barkis's frame Of mind. These, upon con-
sultation, evinced beautiful spirit OF SUBJ
mission 10 the wishes OF their soon-tO-be
liege lords. Accordingly the Grace-Sueet
Baptist church was chosen a. the place,
7:45 A. VI. Of yesterday rs the time, and
DR.. Hatcher (the pastor) as the minister.
Rev. John VI. Butler, the father OF one OF
the bTidegrooms, was present 10 take the
leading part in the marriage OF his son.
The names OF the contracting parties
were as follows: John II. Schooler and
Emma L. Langstett, A. Wilkle Butler and
Bessie Lee Hart, James W. Mitchell and
Rozelia Bowers, and William NJ. Parsons
and Mary W. Mitchell. These couples en-
tered the church in the abOve-giyen order.
each attended by IT. own ushers. The first
coupIe took position on the minister's left
hand. the second couple came TO his right;
thethird and fourth couples took their places
between the first and second, and all to-
gether formed semi-circlc in front OF the
lower platform, with the minister IN the
centre. The usheTs made an outer and
Of ngl rNaTs fK
standing in the rear OF those whom they
were chosen to serve.
There was sufficient interval Of time
between the entrance OF the several couples
to give the eager multitude time to enjoy
the nameless luxury OF Il long look at each
party as it came. They came in on schedule
time, with excellent order, and made not
the slightest mistake from beginning to the
end. As they stood before the minister
the beauty OF the brides, the manly forms
and calmly happy faces Of the grooms, and
the handsome array Of ushers made sim
gularly fine picture. Additional charm
was impaired to the occasion by the glad
some music furnished by Professor Luther
II. jenkins and the resplendent light poured
upon the scene by the large ceiling reflec-
tor.
AS already mentioned, DR.. Hatcher mar
ried them all at once, though the vows OF
each were taken separately, those OF Mr..
Butler and Miss Hart being sealed most
impressively by Rev. Mr.. Butler. After
this solemn part of the ceremony was COM
pleted, DR.. Hatcher offered the prayer and
pronounced the bcnediction.
In spite Of the early hour and the falling
rain there was large gathering present, and
the prOioundest quiet regned during the
entire service. Messrs. Schooler, Mitchell,
and Parsons, with their brides, took the
morning train going North. Mr.. Butler,
after an elegant breakfast at his new home
in the West End, took the noon train and
set his happy face toward the sunny South.
This complex matrimonial incident
formed on yesterday the topic OF much
talk. The 1lutter among the young folks
was immense, and it is said that not few
OF them are already smitten with this same
fascinating epidemic.
At s. O'Clock last night the same church
was open again, and DR.. Hatcher married
another couple. He informed our reporter
that he was up at very early hour on
Wednesday morning on the same business.
We ventured TO ask him il he was not
greatly exhausted after such strain upon
his energies. He SAID the work was heavy,
but that a man must sacrifice himself for
the good OF the cause. We inquired
whether when he married several couples
in lump he also made Jumping business
of the fees. He remarked that several
other persons Of infinite curiosity and linn
tied capacity had asked that impertinent
question before; whereupon this reporter
silently withdrew, feeling that il a better
he was not by any means wiser man on
this point.