Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-09-07
SAY obey IS JOKE
IN Wedding PACT
Many Philadelphia Rectors
Favor Elimination of
Word
SOME THINK
DIFFERENTLY

PHILADELPHIA. Pa, Sept ITO
obey" or not to obey. as the word is
used in the prayerbook in connection
with womans promise in the marriage
ceremony. is a question that is in-
teresting Episcopal rectors. A commits
sion, consisting of seven bishops. seven
priests and seven laymen, has decided
to recommend to the General Conven-
ton, which meets at St Louis next
month, that obey" should be elimi-
mated. Some Of the clergy agree with
the commission and some do not
Many ministers laugh when the sub
iect is mentioned. They say il has
been regarded as a joke" among the
clergy for years. These clergymen
say many women regard the promise
as joke. One rector tells how a
woman conhded to him that she prom
ised to love, honor and be gay"
The Rev. Richard j Morris, one Of
Bishop Rhinelander's secretaries at
the Church House. Twelfth and Wal
nut streets. who also fills the position
OF assistant at the Episcopal Church
OF the Ascension, says many women
balk at using the word before the
marriage ceremony takes place. but
when they are called upon to repeat
the promise they obey" like angels.
Whether they "obey" their husbands
afterward the Rev. Mr.. Morris does
not undertake TO say.
"Clergymen are always trifle APP
prehensive about using the word" said
Mr. Morris, and It is my custom to
speak Of the matter with the bride
before the ceremony takes place"
Mr.. Morris points out that the
bridegroom is merely called upon TO
love and cherish his wife. whereas
the latter must promise ITO love,
cherish and TO obey" her husband.
AS used in the ritual II is relic
OF those ancient times when woman
was regarded as a chattel," says the
Rev Mr.. Morris.
The Rev. Henry G. G. Vincent, rec
tor Of the Episcopal House OF Prayer,
at Branchtown. believes that the com
mission is right in recommending
that "obey" be eliminated from the
ritual.
Il have found that many persons OBJ
iect TO IT," says Mr.. Vincent "They
are mostly women. although in some
cases the men object. Many women
have asked me to omit the word from
their marriage ceremony.
"Of course, I could not do that, The
word obey is in the Prayer Book.
and II must be used by the clergy as
long as n remains there. But / al
ways try 10 explain away the force OF
the word.
81 think the majority OF clergymen
will be glad TO see the word eliminat-
ed. II Is a relic OF ancient times
when woman was held in subsection
by man. We do not hold women in
nowadays. I am heartily
in favor of the recommendation of
the commission"
On the other hand. many clergymen
disapprove Of making changes in the
ceremony which have a
tendency 10 let down the barriers Of
discipline imposed by the Church. |
They contend that a woman who truly
loves the man she Is about to marry
has no hesitation about promising to
obey" him; in fact, she is willing
10 no So dN ~ - al tNNitoNlNu VI
her confidence in him.
The Rev Joseph n. carp. rector OF
the Memorial Church OF ST. Paul. Fiji !
teenth and Porter streets, deprecates !
the elimination OF "obey" from the
marriage ceremony.
las the word is used in the Prayer !
Book woman's obedience Is the ex-
preston OF her love- Just as a mans I
love makes him her willing captive"
says Mr.. carp. 81 doubt II the de-
mand for the elimination OF obey !
comes from the most devout and !
sweetest Christian natures"
Mr. carp regards the demand for
the elimination OF "obey' as part Of
growing spirit OF worldiness-" the !
spirit OF the age" he calls (which !
chafes az the discipline imposed by
the Church. The clergyman believes
that instead OF compromising with the
spirit Of the age. the Church will OBJ
tain better results and make better
Christians by emphasizing its disci-
pline.
The commission will recommend to
the general convention the substitu-
ton OF the words Ito love. honor and
to keep" for ito love. honor and to
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