Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-04-19
Its About Weddings.

Its About Weddings.
Joining the right hands in the we'd
ding ceremony was customary in AS
syria and Persia, and the bridal veil
was worn in Greece and Rome. The
bible does not mention wedding rings,
but IL describes the giving OF them us
pledges OF honor and affection. Pha-
raoh gave Joseph a ring when he set
him over the land OF Egypt, and the
prodigal was given ring upon his re-
turn 10 his father. Legends relate
that Joseph espoused Mary with q
ring in which was set an amethyst,
and of course this precious relic We
found (by miracle) and performed
many wonderful cures, for the benefit
OF mankind and the treasury OF the
church.
The young Roman sent the maiden
bis family had selected TO become his
wife ring in token OF his fidelity,
Gold was the usual material, but in
the time Of Pllny. iron rings set with
adamant were used 10 denote the dura-
bility OF the contract AS now, this
ring was worn on the fourth finger Of
the let hand. 1t was not always
pain, but often bore ~ device Us a key
TO denote the authority and response
bility OF wife in her husbands
house.
The diamond was much esteemed as
a wedding ring in Italy during tho
10th and 10th centuries, for that gem
was believed TO have "a mysterious
power OF maintaining happiness be-
tween husband and wife. Silver
rings, inlaid with HieAo, were also
used.
Gemmed rings were in fashion forty
or fifty years ago. Two and sometimes
three or four delicate rings were hing
ed or linked together, and bore upon
the top when closed clasped hands
or n heart, emblem of love and fidelity.
Notices or posies were engraved on
the inside OF these rings. The prettiest
one | ever saw read, Endless and
pure be our love" The Anglo-Saxons
used these gemmed rings, and they in
turn borrowed them OF the French. |
for one would like to know from whom
the French borrowed them, but history
is silent on this point
The wedding-ring has been worn up
on the thumb, and upon the right
hand. But the women OF al nations
have been as busy ms bees, and with
spinning and weaving TO occupy their
fingers, 1t is easy TO see why even a
princess should put her priced wedding
ring upon the hand and finger which
would keep it the safest The fancy
that vein or nerve runs directly from
the fourth finger Of the left hand to the
heart, is very ancient, and no doubt
helped TO make IL the bearer OF tho
wedding ring, and there was u curious
custom in the early days OF the church
of recognizing the Trinity by placing
the ring on the first finger or thumb for
the Father, on the second finger for tho
Son, and on the third finger for the
Holy Ghost. Then il was placed upon
the fourth finger, from which loving
aud superstitious wives never removed
IL.
Scholars are fond OF telling us that
the wedding ring meant the subjec-
ton of the vile, and the placing it up
on the left hand meant more subsection.
But in the past the sub ection of wom-
en- has needed no sign 10 emphasize it.
1t was an accepted and expected fact.
AID was perhaps a condition Of safety.
In the middle ages, the wedding
ring was blessed or hallowed by the
officiating priest, and the form used
seems to me very beautiful: Hollow
Thou, Lord, this ring, which we bless
in Thy holy name, that whatsoever
woman may wear it may stand fast in
Thy peace, and continue in Thy will,
and live, and grow, and wax old in
Thy love, and be multiplied with
length of days. Through Jesus
Christ, our Lord "