Middletown transcript., 1903-09-26
ADDRESS
Written for the Fiftieth Wedding Anniver-
sary Of Jonathan Knight and Frances
shalloross Williams by Rev. W.
N uurat

sarv of Jonathan Knight and FRANCES
shalIoross Williams by Rev. W.
0. Hurst.
DEARLY BELOVED We are gathered
here in the sight of God and in the
presence Of these witnesses to celebrate
the anniversary of the wedding OF this
man and this woman, wedding made
golden by fifty years of unselfish love,
united in tender devotion to the heaven
appointed privilege of developing and
enriching the God given wealth of i'm
mortal character. We have before US to-
day an illustrious example fully demon
strating that marriage is not failure,
but an honorable estate, instituted OF
God. adorned and beautifed by the pres
enee of Christ, and honorable among
all men. whenever and wherever it is en-
tered into advisedly, reyerently and in
the fear OF God.
AS there was no discordant note OF OBJ
lection on that happy day, fifty years
ago, there is none now to mar the music
Of this memorable hour. Doubtless the
Young groom had previously met oblec-
tions in the way of rival suitors, mothers
plans, or daughters wishes, until weary,
disheartened and discouraged, he was al
most ready to give up the contest, when
Lady Frances, unable to endure a longer
siege, surrendered unconditionally heart
and hand to the gallant knight Jonathan,
the proud victor over all, who caused
every objector to forever hold his peace.
Vows of fidelity are unnecessary for
this occasion. Fifty years of practical
experience has lifted your hearts into
that loftier realm where love is the full
filling of all VOWS. That you have lived
together after Gods ordinance, in the
holy estate of matrimony, loved, honored
and kept each other in sickness and in
health, these children, grandchildren,
relatives and friends are all competent
witnesses. And this half century OF un-
broken faithfulness is sufficient guar
anteee that you will continue to live un-
der that some sanctifying power OF "a
heaven directed love which first led to
marriage" $50 long as you both shall
live" For as much as Jonathan and
Frances have lived fifty years in per-
feet love and peace together i'll holy
wedlock; witnessed the same before God
with united hearts and unblemished rep |
utation, kept their faith in each other
and declared the same by tender devo-
ton and a domestic felicity that has
made their married life "One grand |
sweet song" I, in the name of Al
mighty God and in behalf of their chill
dren, grandchildren, relatives and friends,
most solemnly declare that this groom,
of half century, the very soul of honor,
the embodiment Of truth, the impersona-
ton OF courage; and this bride OF fifty |
summers, whose purity Of heart, gentle
ness OF manner, persistency OF purpose,
has heightened the years and enriched
the life of her husband, are right worthy
to continue in the heaven appointed re-
lation Of husband and wife together, in
the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and OF the Holy Ghost. Praying most
fervently the eternal God, Creator Of all
things and preserver of all mankind may
most graciously and abundantly sustain
your lives for many years to come, until
the sparkle of the Diamond anniversary
shall scintillate over the lustre of the
golden one Of to-day.