The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-05
WHEN QUAKER MAIDS We'd
She and Her Fiance Must Publish
Their intentions"
II Their Choice Is Approved Mt PASS
Meeting They May Then Name the
"Nniters," Who Are to Attend
Them on Their wedding Day.

Them on Their wedding Day.
The influence of time has wrought so
many changes in the dress of the young
people of the Society of Friends that
there is little In the apparel of the Quaker
maiden one meets on the streets OF Phil-
adolphia today to distinguish her from
the other feminine passers-by. and sun
less to denote her kinship to the great
grandmother. who as a prim little lady
walked these same streets in the days
of William Penn. Scattered throughout
Ohio. Indiana, and Illinois, however, are
small communities settled almost exclu-
siveIy by members of the Society OF
Friends-quiet, peaceful settlements where
one generation succeeds another. with few
migrations and still fewer marriages into
the outside world. 1t is in these hooks,
remote from the current of constant evo-
luton. that there is still a strict observ-
ance of many of the customs of dress and
life so inseparably associated with the
Friends faith.
The marriage of a Quaker girl in these
parts. says the st. Louis STAR is at
tended with more ceremony than any
other social event in her life. The en-
gagged couple villas a rule, simply con-
flee the fateful secret to a few of their
pa rtfcuIar friends but in some instances
the enga cement is announced by cards.
The preliminary step taken by the young
people in conformity with the marriage
customs of the society is the publishing
of their Intentions" as it is called. rms
must be done at the second monthly meet
ing preceding the day set for the wed
ding The clerk of the meeting is pre-
scented with written statement regard
| ing the prospective wedding, and TINS is
| read aloud by the clerks in the men S ana
women's divisions, respectively. In each
| division committee is appointed, the
mems committee 20 investigate whether
| there be any cause from the standpoint
| of the groom why the marriage should
| not be permitted, and the feminine COM
/ mittee to perform "a similar service with
reference to the prospective bride AS
general thing, the committee is not ac-
tive, but simply exists to receive obJec-
| lions, if there be any.
At the next monthly meeting these COM
mittees report, and if the verdict De iaV-
orable the young couple report to the
passing meeting" another Formally al
| most as embarrassing. The couple hrst
enter the woman's side of the meeting
house. passing to the front, where they
! remain standing for a few moments, WhiIe
each, in turn, repeats the Words;
Friends, continue my intehtlons % %
the mems side of the Building. where the
| ceremony is repeated. The young man
| then escorts the young lady to the door
| on the woman's side Of the mouse anu
| finally resumes his own place Unoer or
| binary circumstances the wedding IS SET
| for the next Fourth Day-the date OF the
| regular meeting; but if 1t be especially
| desirable to have another day, request
hot Fort C
| and groom-elect pass meeting anu d
special meeting is appointed Tor the oay
desired.
| of preparation The service at the meet
ng-house is public, the special guests pc
ing provided with reserved seats, anu IN
| Vitations are also extended to them 10
| attend the reception Iat the brides nome.
| Two sets of walters OF attendants are
necessary, and usually there are double
that number. The attire OF the young
ladies is in harmony with tne costume me- oi
though white is the usual choice with
white slippers and gloves ana small
bonnet of white embroidered chiffon.
| The carriages of the bridal party are
timed to arrive little later than the
usual meeting hour. The couple acting
as first walters lead the bridal process
sion, followed by the bride and groom
and they in turn are fallowed by the other
attendants. The party enters the door OF
the side of the edifice occupied by the
women and proceed to the front. where
special seats have been reserved for them
The bride and groom sit facing the CON
gregation, while directly opposite then
are the walters. To the right OF
the bride is seated her own mother, and
next, the mother of the groom. Next tc
the groom is seated his own father, anc
Just beyond, the father of the bride
The bridal party sit in silence for from
a half to three-quarters of an hour. th'
Young man serving as first waiter" be
ing expected to aid the groom by givint
has expired. At the expiration of this in
terval the bride and groom arise, and tn
groom, taking the right hand of the bride
repeats the words: In the presence o.
| the Lord and before this assembly, TAX
- to be my wife, promising, with Di
vine assistance, to be unto her LOVING