Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-17

AFREEHO-s MARRIAGE.
Interesting Ceremony which Took
PIaec Yeaterday Morning


In the early days of the Society Of
Friends marriage between one who was
member and another who was not WAS
forbidden. subsequently this restriction
WAS removed, and at still later date,
only few years since, the marriage Of
Friend to one not member was per
mitted to be solemnized III Friends
meeting and by their ceremony.
The first wedding Of this character in
this city took place yesterday, Mr.. Cd
ward Svdnor aud Miss J. Isabella Cren-
shaw being the contracting parties. The
ceremony took place ut the residence Of
Mr.. John b. Crenshaw, the father Of
the bride. short distance north OF the
CITY. { few friends Of the two families
were the only persons present, and those
who had never before witnessed a mar
riage of this character were deeply i'm
pressed with its beauty, simplicity, and
solemnity.
As perhaps few Of our readers have
ever witnessed q ceremony of this de-
scription brief statement oi some Of the
points connected with it may not prove
uninteresting.
At a monthly meeting of the society
those contemplating marriage present
such certificate as the following:
We. the subscribors. Al b., son OF c. and d. h..
and n. O.. dAaghter Of H. and |. ~. purpose
taking each other tn mari iRe. which we hereby
offer for the appreciation OF Friends. \. H.,
Upon the receipt of this paper COM
mittees are appointed by both the mems
and women's meetings to inquire into
the suitability OF the marriage and the
clearness OF the parties nom other en-
gagcmcnts.
These report to the next monthly
meeting, when il it is clear day and
plan is fixed for the solemnizatIon of the
marriage, and committee appointed to
attend and see that good order is pre-
served.
Marriages in this Society are always at
a meeting appointed for public worship.
The bride and groom come IN attended
by their friends and take seats facing the
congregation. After n season of silence,
peculiar TO the worship of this Society.
where any one who has call to speak or
pray are at liberty to do so, the contract
ing parties rise, and the groom, taking
the lady by the hand, says in an audible
voice:
''In the presence Of tho Lord. and before this
assornhiv / taEe n. q. % bo my wife, promising
with Divine assistance 20 10 unto her . loving
and faithful husband until death shall separate
us.n
The lady then repeats the same words,
onlv substituting "wife" for husband.
Alter a few moments Of silence one OF
the ushers brings in a table on which Is
the marriage certificate, with pen and
ink. The husband first signs the paper
and then the wife signing her new name.
after which il ia read aloud by the clerk
or some other designated person, and the
ceremony is completed. The table and
certificate remain, however, and those
present sign as witnesses.
The marriage yesterday took place at
$50 o'clock in the morning. Against
the rear wall Of the room and opposite
the entrance had been placed row OF
chairs, IN the two centre ones OF which
the bride and groom were seated with
their parents on either side. They en-
tered the room. preceded by their
brothers and sisters, who took seats as
they came 10 on the inner row of chairs.
The bride was neatly attired in a ma
room cashmere suit with hat to match
and without ornaments.
The bridal party left on the HJ0
northern train for a trip to Philadelphia
and Ocean Grove amid the well wishes
of host OF friends.