Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-08-29
MECCA FOX ELOPERS
Bristo1's Marrying Parson Has
Unique Service

Rev. A. H. Burroughs, the
matrimonial wizard of Bristol, hay
ing tried the marriage ceremony
of the Baptist denomination, then
later the Methodist, Presbyterian
and Episcopal ceremonies, respec-
lively, and, not being pleased with
any of them, formulated a cere-
mony and prayer of his own, and
with this ceremony and this prayer
has united in marriage over two
thousand runaway couples who
sought his Mecca on the border
between the States of Virginia and
Tennessee.
Following lie the noted parsons
ceremony verbatim:
"My friends, the marriage rela-
ton WIS instituted in the Garden
of Eden by the Creator Of the
universe, who said it is not good
that the man should be alone !;
therefore, he created him an
heIpmeet, and said: For this cause
shall o man leave father and mother
and cleave to his wife, and they
twain shall be one flesh; where
fore they are no more twain, but
one flesh; that is, they should be
one in interest, etc. Matt.xix. 8, g..
Marriage has been authorized
and guarded under all forms of
civil government and every dis
pensation of religion. Its nature,
duties and designs are clearly set
forth and commended in the
Scriptures of Divine truth. This
union, like that of the body and
spirit, should be broken only by
the hand of death. Therefore,
charge you both before God and
these witnesses, that if any known
cause exists why you should not
be joined in marriage, you do now
confess it. If no such cause exists,
please join your right hands. Will
you, Mr.. -, promise to take
this woman, whose heart you have
WOE, to be your lawful and welded
wife, to live together in the sacred
ordinance of marriage ? Will you
promise to love and cherish her,
to honor and support her, in sick
ness and in health, and, forsaking
all others, cleave only unto her so
long as you both shall live Will
you, Miss -, promise to take
this man, whose hand you have uc-
cepted, to be your lawful and we'd
ded husband, to live together in
the sacred ordinance of marriage
Will you promise to love and
cherish him in sickness and in
health, and, forsaking all Others
cleave only unto him so long as
you both shall live?
SIN consideration Of your solemn
promises thus made to each other
and to your God, L do, by
virtue OF the authority vested in
ue as a minister of the gospel, ard
in accordance with the laws of this
State, pronounce you to be husband
and wife in the sacred ordinance OF
marriage, with the scriptural in.
iunc ton, what therefore God
hath joined together, let no man
put asunder.
"Let US pray.
ave beseech Thee, Heavenly
Father, to sanction and confirm
with Thy blessing this solemn and
important transaction. Grant unto
these parties, who are now Jolned
in marriage, grace to keep and per-
form the holy and sacred obliga-
tions they hsve taken upon them
selves. May they ever be faithful
and affectionate to each other. May
they rot only be useful, but may
they be beneficial wheresoe 'er
their lots may be cast in this llfei
and finally, Q God, when they are
done with the trials incident tt
this life, may they each be pre-
pared by Thy grace to enter into
that rest that remaineth to the
people of God, where separation
cometh not. All of which favors we
ask for Christie sake. Amen"
This ceremony ana prayer arc
said rapidly and without impedI'
ment of speech by the great WIZ
ard and when he has concluded
the prayer, he extends his hand to
congratulate the bride and groom
following which he introduces them
to the witnesses.