The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-07-25
BY the REV. CHAS. K. McALLISTER,
Rector of st. Matthews Parish,
Hyattsyille. Md,

Marriages were supposed to be made
in heaven. according to popular asser-
ton some time ago. but 1t would be
most unfair to place the responsibility
on heaven for some of the matrimonial
unions that some parsons perform
these days, especially those in so-called
Gretna Green towns. In the first
place, certain restrictions as to per-
sonal knowledge or Introduction of
those to be married ought to be re-
quired by the parson. as well as suf-
ficient notice before the wedding takes
place. 30 that the clergyman may have
an opportunity to take stock as to the
quality of advice that he ought to give
this particular young couple. Some
busy marrying parsons don't have
time to get their breath. to say moth
ing of giving advice to those about to
be married.
Like any other personal administra-
ton. the advice differs for different
people. II isn't needed or advisable to
talk the same way to a young girl OF
simple manners and dress and OF Puri-
tan parentage and bringing up There
are few SUCH as to the frisky, fluffy,
smart young thing who Is more char
acteristic Of our day and generation.
And the same is true Of young men.
There is little need to talk purity to
clean. outstanding, clear-eyed chaps. as
rule, while there are others for
whom 1t Is a very good thing.
Marriage Sacramento"
There are certain practical things,
however, that tell all young people,
adding to that In detail as the In
aividual case seems to require. In
N.x.N n txSA
marriage Is sacramento in character.
They are so happy and uplifted on
the wings Of emotion that they
don't know much about what that
means, but they realize it's signifi-
canoe when tell them that this
giving and receiving a ring and TAX.
ing each others hands Is the out
ward sign Of an inward spiritual
union of their hearts, the most In
tense spiritual experience through
which many of them will ever pass,
that II Is, therefore, the most sacred
thing which they can know. and that
in all their physical relationships
they are expressing this inward heart
felt union rather than merely sup
plying earthly physical needs.
Then they must remember that
they marry themselves and they
must take the responsibility for the
most serious and beautiful step In
their whole lives. The clergyman
hears them make their promises TO
one another and blesses their union
with the blessing Of the church. But
all the blessing In the world viii be
useless unless thev mean the prom
Uses they have made to be faithful,
promises made in the sight Of God.
~ L.
between them before God and for
which they ask His blessing.
In view Of this fact. ask all per.
sons whom I marry to promise three
things. The first Is, that on their
wedding anniversary, wherever they
NAV be, even IL they are separated
by distance, they will promise mo
that they will read over the prayer
book service to each other X pos
sible, and especially for their own
benefit. and ask IL they have re-
manned true to those promises they
made to each other in the sight OF
God. II not, that anniversary Ii
splendid time to get fresh start.
especially as regards their pledged
faith to each other.
The second promise has to do with
the possible differences Of the future.
Life at the moment OF marriage is
the rosiest thing the mind of man
can dream. A few years later, and
IL may be far from that. Financial
differences. differences in tempera.
ment, unwillingness of each one to
meet the other half way. the exag.
gerated interest of a father-in.law or
q mother-in-law on one side or the
other, tho failure of the husband TO
provide for the wife or the wife to
furnish her share In making the
home and all that 1t means-all these
things must be considered.
And although Il seemed at that mo-
ment that they can scarcely bear TO
be apart for fifteen minutes, they
must look forward to the problems
that. are to come and realize that on