Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-01-27
NEW WEDDING CEREMON Y
Eloquent and Original and May
Become Popular

The following unique and origi-
nal wedding ceremony was used in
celebrating a marriage in Suffolk,
Va, on December Both last. The
poetic words are the genius of Rev.
Mr.. Barton Of that town and never
before used:
In the haunts of vernal beauty,
where blooming flowers, caroling
birds ard rushing rills sanga song
of praise to the God of nature, the
first man met and claimed his
bride, according to divine appoint
ment. The most superb eulogy
that can be pronounced on the
marriage altar is to say that it
originated in the inscrutlble pur-
poses of Jehovah, that it was first
constructed amid the soul-entranc-
ing scenes and heart-thrilling rap
lures OF Eden's paradise, and that
it smybolically sets forth the ever
glorious union between Christ and
His church. Upon such holy
grouDd the irreverent and thought
less should tread with unsandaled
feet. These mutual vows which
you now take upon yourselves are
the most binding of all human
obligations, while the bonds into
which you are entering can be
dissolved only by the "last enemy"
or by infdelity to the marital
state. Enter then this holy state
in the fear of God, with an in
telIigent sense of your mutual
duties towards each other, without
vestige Of mental reservation,
and with Platonic affection, which
warmeth ever and waneth never,
and your conjugal union will rob
life of many Of its heaviest bur
dens, turn the keen edge of many
of its sorrows, and cause the most
fragrant flowers to grow and bios
som and shed their perfume in your
pathway.
Minister: In ancient days, when
crowned monarchs wished to eX-
press their perfect confidence IN
and confer their official authority
on friend or a favorite they
would deliver unto such an one
their signet ring. From this royal
custom, probably, there has come
the impression and poetic form of
the bridegroom's plighting his
troth to his lady love with ring
Of gold.
Groom repeating after minis
teri: GAS this ring is endless so
shall my affection be, and like its
metal of purest gold my love shall
abide unalloyed with infidelity.
Accept this emblem Of plighted
troth, which conveys to thee i"
symbol my hearts uniying love,
and be thou wholly mine in graft
tude's response.
Bride repeating after the min.
ister): "Where thou goest ! will
90. and where thou livest | will
live. Thy people shall be my
people, and thy God my God.
Where thou diest will | die and
there will be buried. The Lord
do so to me, and more also, if
aught but death part thee and
me.
In making this most solemn of
all earthly contracts it is your
duty and privilege TO give and
receive the following pledge:
"In the presence of Almighty
God and these witnesses, | accept
thee, my beloved, as my lawfully
welded spouse and forsaking all
Others | will cleave only to thee,
till the silver cord be loosed, or
the golden bowl be broken, or the
pitcher be broken at the fountain,
or the wheel be broken at the
cistern,' when the dust shall re,
turn to the earth as it was ard
spirit shall return unto God who
gave it,"
Do you both so promisef An
sw,r for BOTH II do.
Inasmuch as you have yoluntari'
" entered into this sacred compact
and have given and received your
mutual promises of loving fidelity
to each other /, as n minister OF
"The glorious Gospel OF th'
Blessed God, and under the sane
ton of the Commonwealth. pro
nounce and declare you husband
and wife.
wv hat God hath joiHed together
let no man put asunder.'
Prayer, concluded with apostolic
benediction.