Year: 1867

Recently, not many miles distant from


Washington, a couple whom we will in
dicate as Mr.. j. and Miss H, were


to be married, and the somewhat slow


going Elder - was called upon to per.


form the ceremony. The parties all


being ready, the elder proceeded as fol-


lows: Gentlemen and ladies, | hold in my


hard authority from the State Of Mary


land to unite Mr.. j and Miss H
in the bonds of matrimony. Doubtless


you all expect some sort of ceremony


this evening, but my voice is weak, my


health is bad, and / have had disease of


the throat for year or more. Different


churches have different forms, and differ


ent countries have different forms; for


my part / have no form. do not re-


member any form. In some countries


it is not so easy to get married as in this


free and happy country, and in some


States they marry without license. In


some countries it is required that the


marriage shall take place at the hour of


midnight justas the clock strikes twelve
the company take their lamps and go forth
to meet the bridegroom, and then they
all go into the house and the door is shut,
and no one allowed to enter in after
ward. Yes, my friends, the door is shut,
and no one is allowed to enter in after
ward. Yes, my friends, the door is shut,
and if you come then you may cry your
eyes out, and you may wear your knee
out praying, but you'll never get in, for
the door is shut But this is not the case
in our once free and happy country. AS
| said before, my lungs are weak, and |
must make the ceremony as short as pos
sible My friends, it gives me much
pleasure to see young and loving
couple like this, with their hearts united
in the bonds of affection, come to be
Joined in marriage and you must recol-
lect, my young friends, that you cannet
live together always-one of you will be
taken by the cold, icy fingers of death
and laid in the dark and narrow grave,
and the other will be left to weep over
the dear remains. Marriage is an old
institution 1t is spoken of in the first
of the Bible. 1t is an old institution
it is an honorable institution, it is a
moral institution. All of you like it,
and you all encourage tall Of the
young people like it. The old would
like to be young again that they might
once more feel the influence of Cupid's
darts. Come on all of you. | do not
remember any ceremony, but reckon |
know enough to join these two together.
| suppose before ] proceed ] must ask
the usual questions. Is there any one
present who knows any just cause why
Mr.. j. and Miss H., may not lawfully be
ioined in the bonds of matrimony?
AFTER pause.) No one says anything,
so / suppose there is no reason. Mr.. j.
and Miss H., will you please give your
right hand2 Mr.. J. will you take the
lady whose hand you hold to be your
lawful and welded wife, Will you love,
cherish and protect her2 Yes, sir.
Miss H., will you take the gentleman
whose right hand you hold, to be your
lawful and welded husband2 Win you !
love, and honor and obey him in all his |
easonable requests ? ~ will. now !
pronounce you husband and wife, man,
and wife, or mate and helpmate, which | |
much prefer. The ceremony was con-
eluded with long prayer, in which he |
prayed for all mankind, collectively and |
individually, and at the end the con
tracing parties and the guests Joined |
with considerable heartiness in the !
4" Amen"