The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-23
WEDDING
DISPLAYS
CONDEMNED

Baltimore, Nov. 2s.-Rev. DR.. j. s. b.
Hodges, rector OF st. Pauls Protestant
Episcopal church. who year ago ar
raigned j. Pierpont Morgan for the ex-
travagance OF his entertainments to the
delegates TO the Protestant Episcopal
general conventions. now strongly con-
aemns the extravagancs at church we'd
dings. The effect OF this tendency, Dr.
fiodges says, Is TO lessen the number OF
the rich.
The solemnization OF holy matrimony
need not necessarily take place In a
church building" says the doctor. "It
nay oe IN private house or hall. or
IN the open air. but the church has made
provisions for the ceremony to be per-
formed In the church, and evidently pre-
fers that IL should be So
me Rubric prefxed To the marriage
service III the prayer-book says: The per-
sons 70 be married shall come into the
pooy or the church or shall be ready in
some some proper house. the preference being
given by its being first mentioned 10 the
cnurch as being the more proper place.
AND In the service for the consecra-
uon or the church special prayers are
saiu, not only for those who shall be bap-
uzed or confirmed, or shall receive the
blessed sacrament OF the body and blood
ot Christ In this place. but also for those
a.
tn tne noiy estate OF matrimony, showing
lnat tne church Is regarded as the natur-
al hhu proper place I'm which the children
ol the church should be married
NONE SHOULD BE DEFERRED.
mere should be nothing connected
Win the celebration OF this holy rite
Whicn should make Il difficult for the
members OF the church TO come to the
church for this purpose: certainly none
that should actually deter them from
coming. Unfortunately. there are customs
or habits or fashions which Go make them
hesitate or actually prevent them from
coming
who ever attends now? Who ever
reads or a quiet church wedding where
tnere Is nothing TO distract the attention
from the holy and solemn service?
Cnurcn weddings now are great occa-
sions The church is TO be brilliantly
lghted and decorated with profusion
or beautiful flowers, the most rich altar
cloths are 10 be brought out regardless Of
the season of the churchs year and the
magnificent palms and tropical plants fill
hair the chancel, almost obscuring the al
tar.
Music must be had, lively and bright.
and Tor the best part OF an hour before
the service begins, through the only half
nushed conversation OF the congregated
through the church, scarcely ever sug-
gesting a thought OF reverence or devo-
ton, or In any way preparing the mind
Tor the religious ceremony about TO be
performed.
"Of course IL. as every one saws. js
such beautiful wedding, etc, but where
is there I'm all this thing that speaks of
holy matrimony? All that whispering
and light talking and laughter-how do
IA ind
service?
THE EFFECT.
Now, what is the effect OF such SER
vice. IL il may be so called? One effect
is unquestionably TO prevent frequent
use of the church for the marriage SER
vice at all and confine the use OF the
church to those who can afford all that
It involves. Quiet people are deferred.
Persons OF moderate means are deferred.
This ecclesiastical luxury is more
and more confined TO the few with
abundant means; the church is less and
less used for this service. One does not
like TO come and not have everything
as bright and as nice and as beautiful !
as at such and at such a time; and more !
and more one is getting to hear the ex- |
preston OF not being able to afford a /
church wedding
why should there be such cost, such |
display at q wedding in church? WHY /
Is canopy from curb to church door? /
Why the carpeting all UP to the aisle?
Why this profusion OF unusual lights?
why this wagon load upon wagon load
Of splendid palms? Why everything that
can be thought OF to drive that solemn
service out OF the mind?
How much better for those who might
have everything TO set the example of
l quiet unostentatious religious service.
70 that others may feel content and
happy TO do the same. And not only
would the religious character OF the SER
'ice be thus brought out. but more and
more the church be resorted to. and for
me I cannot but believe that the mora
he religious character IL brought out the
ess will be the number OF iH-advised and
nasty marriages and of consequent d.
'orces."
Cardinal Gibbons says that on general
principals he fndorses DR.. Hodges views
With reference to church weddings The
question his eminece declares IN one that
Lppeals strongly to all religious de-
TuiCu nnoura