The New York herald., 1922-04-06
PROPOSE TO STRIKE
OUT PLEDGE TOOBEY
in EPISCOPAL VOWS
Changed Status of Woman
Recognized by Prayer
Book Reyiscrs.
PROMISES IDENTICAL
More Than $50 Alterations
Are Submitted in Con-
yention Report.
FOR SEVEN NEW OFFICES
New Forms Designed to Meet
Religious Needs of the
Present Day..
FOR SEVEN NEW OFFICES

Recognition of the changed status
of women by striking from the Epis-
copal marriage ceremony TIE promise
to obey and eliminating the compul-
sorry giving in marriage. was proposed
by the commission on revision of the
Book of Common Prayer, in a report
made public last night through the
Associated Press.
Gaining equal rights with men In
their marriage vows. however, the
women would lose a special privilege
now accorded tLem. For the proposal
to change the ceremony also provides
for striking out the bridegroom's
pledge, with all my worldly goods I
thee endow."
The commissions report, published In
the form of $50 page book and pro-
posing more ,han $50 alterations and
the Inclusion Of seven entirety new Of
fices. or forms Of worship. will be sub
mitted to the triennial General Conven-
tion OF the Church in Portland. Ore,
next September. Under the constitution
of the church II cannot be adopted until
1t has been approved oy .wo general
conventions. but members Of the COM
mission hope to see the changes finally
ratified at the 1925 convention
Marriage Pledges Same.
Six pages OF The report are devoted
to proposed changes in the marriage
ceremony, the First hint OF the breadth
,,sfx a. fr, he fnIl Il.NV
ing ~-e-.i.,ea
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. keen
thee only unto him, so long as We both
shall liver"
At present the woman promises to
obey" and serve
The next change. eliminating the COM
pusory giving of woman In marriage.
would make II possible for the clergy
man to omit:
who giveth his woman to be mar
ried to this man." and would provide
for the singing Il hymn or anthem at
this point.
"obey from the sentences of espousal.
The report continues:
Amend the acntence in regard to the
ring by omitting the wofis and with all
my worldly goods | thee endow.''
Ring Pledge Changes.
This change would make the ring
pledge OF the bridegroom read
with this ring. thee wed: In the
Name OF the Father. and OF the Son.
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen"
There are fifteen changes in all in
the proposed amendment to the cere-
mony, including a number of minor al
terations and provisions for alternative
closing prayers a prayer for the bless
ing of the wedding ring also Is proposed.
which reads:
Bless. o Lord. this ring. that she
who wears IT may abide in thy peace.
and continue in thy favor. unto her
life's end: through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen
Besides the revision OF the marriage
ceremony the proposed changes include:
Rearrangement OF the contents. MAX
Ing for more convenient use: permissive
shortening of some or the services ad-
dition of many new prayers. such as
For State Legislature" "For Mem
orial Days" For Social Justice" For
Every Man In His Work" For Our
Country and For All Nations": addi-
tionol collects. epistles and gospels for
special occasions. including Independ-
ence Day; enlargement OF the catechisrn
ana It's transformation into cate.
chetical office OF instruction: a form OF
service Tor the burial of child: pray-
ers ol permissive use In commenoration
OF the saints and for the departed. and
special form for missionary service