Norwich bulletin., 1922-04-06
Propose 6. lIlges in
 Marriage Ceremony
Episcopal Commission Would Strike Out Promise of Women to Obey.

New York, April 5.-(By the A. PD- Recognition Of the changed status of wo- men by striking from the Episcopal mar rage ceremony the promise to obey, and eliminating the compulsory giving in maf- riage, was proposed by the commission on revision of the Book of Common Prayer, Tn a report made public tonight
 Gaining equal rights with men in their marriage vows, however, the women would lose special privilege now accorded them. For the proposal to change the ceremony also provides for striking out the bridegrom's pledge, with all my worldly goods I thee endow."
 The commissions report, published in the form of 23o page book and pro- posing more than 250 alterations and the inclusion of seven entirely new offices. or forms Of worship, will be submitted to the trtennial general convention of the church at Portland, Oregon, next Sep teHjber. Under the constitution of the church, 1t cannot be adopted until it has been approved by two general conventions but members of the commission hope to see the changes finally ratified at the 1925 convention.
 Six pages of the report are devoted to the proposed changes in the marriage ceremony, the first hint of the breadth of the revision appearing Tn the following:
 Make the promise of the man and of the woman identical in form;
 '' Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others. keep thee only unto him. so long as ye both shall liver"
 At present the woman promises to obey" and serve"
 The next change eliminating the com pulsory giving of a woman in marriage, would make 1t possible for the clergy man to omit
 "Who giveth this woman to be mar ried to this man?" And would provide for the singing of hymn or anthem at this point.
 | Another proposed change would strike i obey from the sentences of espousaI. The report continues:
 Amend the sentence in regard to the ring by emitting the words and with all my worldly goods thee endow' D 1 This change would make the ring pledge of the bridegroom read:
 With this ring I thee wed: In the name of the Father, and of the Son. an,l of the Holy Ghost. Amen" There are fifteen changes In all in the 1 proposed amendment to the ceremony. in- cluding a number of minor alterations
 
 prayers. A prayer for the blessing of the wedding ring also is prd9osed which reads
 Bless. o Lord, this ring, that she who | wears it may abide in thy peace. and con tinue n thy favor, unto her Hfe's end through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen" i Besides the revision of the marriage ; ceremony. the proposed changes include: l Encouragement of the contents, makins 1 for more convenient use; permissive shortening Of some of the services; addi- ton of many new prayers such as flor a state legislature for memorial days, : for social justice for every man ir His york; flor our country and for all i nations;' ;'' additional collects epistles and i gospels for special occasions, including i 1nde2endence day; enlargement of tho catechisn and its transformation into 2 i catchechetical office of instruction; 2 form of service for the burial of child : prayers of permissive use in coInmemora- ton of the saints and for the departed and a special form for missionary ser vice.
 The revision, said a statement issuei by the commission, is designed "to aoap the Prayer Book to present conditions and make it more helpful in meeting the religious needs of the people in the lift and worship of today"
 The commission, appointed at the gen. eral convention of 1913. already has mad two reports, one at the conventions il 1916 and one in 1919. In the latter year a few chages were adopted. The presen final. report was expressly ordered pub lished six months in advance o1 Llr, Portland convention, in order that th' people of the church may be fully inform cd of the changes proposed and have am pie time for consideration"
 The commission is under the chairman ship of Rt Rev. Cortlandt Whitehead, U D., bishop of Pittsburgh, Rev John W Suter, D. D. of Boston is secretary, anC Robert H. Gardiner of Boston, treasur