The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-09-18
A VERITABLE QUAKER WEDDING.

On a preparative meeting-day in
the seventh month, many II year ago,
after the close of the first meeting, on
a fifth day, for thee knows, we yet
have our miI-week meetings, when
the shutters have been drawn prepar-
atory for the business meeting, thy
Uncle Christopher, attended by one of
the men Friends. came into the Wo-
mems Meeting and Offering me his
arm, waited upon me to the lower ris-
ing seat, when after sitting a few mo-
ments in silence, we rose and declared
individually, that with Divine permis-
sion aud Friends appreciation, we in
tended marriage with each other, then
after Il suitable pause we went, ac-
companicd by one of the women
Friends into the Mems Meeting, and
there made the same declaration and l
was then escorted to my seat again.
This was what was called Passing
Meeting" My dress was pearl col
orcd Canton crepe, made with verv
short waist and leg-of-mutton sleeve,
and | wore white silk shawl and a
rosc-whitc Quaker bonnet, and thy
Uncle was much pleased with my
appearance, Il perfect proper state of
mind for Inn TO be in was it not, my
dear?
Then it was in order for the persons
appointed by the Meeting, to make
necessary inquiries as to our clearness
to proceed in marriage, such as the
consent of our parents and our men,
bership of the Society of Friends in
good standing. Then the next Mouth
ly Meeting gave us liberty to accom-
plish said marriage, according to their
rules, and appointed two Friends each
from the Mems and Women's Meeting
to attend and see that good order was
preserved and certificate prepared
and properly witnessed. Then the
last day of summer Sth month, 31st.
was "Our Wedding Day" and my
dress was Il very light fawn-colored
Levantine silk made with a Grecian
waist, but short-waisted as all our
dresses then were, and a new white
Quaker bonnet.
We went into the Mems Meeting,
accompanied by those Friends who
had been appointed as we'll as by our
own family friends, and took our seats
on the second rising seat, where we
sat through the Meeting for Worship
more than one hour long and heard
speaking from one or two who sat on
the seat above us. Then after a sea-
son of silence, we were advised very
quietly that it was a proper time for us
to rise and take upon ourselves the
bonds of matrimony.
Thy Uncle Christopher took me by
the hand and said: I'm the presence
of this assembly, take this my friend
Rachel Starbuck to be my wife, prom
ising through Divine Assistance to be
unto her ii faithful and affectionate
husband until death shall separate us, u
aud | then said the same words to thy
Uncle Christopher.
Then the certificate of marriage was
set before us, which we signed, saying
as farther confirmation thereof, eve
set our hands," | after the custom OF
marriage adopting the name of my
husband. Christopher Macy,
Rachel Macy.
"And we whose names are hereunto
subscribed, being present at the sol
emulation of their marriage, have sci
our hands as witnesses thereto" and
all who chose signed. We then re-
turned to my fathers house, where
were assembled all the members OF
both families and some intimate
friends We dined and had wedding
cake of fine quality to offer all who
called The next day we dined at the
house of thy Uncle Christopher, and
that is where the Secondary Wedding
Pudding gets its name, and both
families were also there. After thai
tea drinking and dinner parties were
in order, and we remained at my faith
er's house until our own house was
ready for occupancy.
No going away in those days or
wedding journeys, no unnecessary
display and no need for elopemeuts,
and as far as has come to my knowl-
edge. no divorces, and of marriages SC
carefully contracted few comparative
ly have been failures.-GO0d House
keeping.