Year: 1867

HhdEEehEc AtAIOAbCeH1cht- ne


Young Man VINO Desired TO be
Wed.


The latest innovation in the usage snt
custom Of the Established Church of Scot
land, is the celeba,ion of Marriage public
ly in church before the congregation. in.
stead Of privately, at the residence of the
parties, the former mode it is alleged be-
ing in conformity with the directory Of
public worship, and he ancient practice q
the Presbyterian Church. Apropos of thi,
innovation, the following incident may be
related. 1t probably occurred in the au
cient times referred to. but the date is moi
material; The afternoon services had end.
ed. and the congregation were arranging
themselves for the benediction, when, to
the manifest interest of the worshippers.
the good parson descended from the pulpit
to the desk below. and said in calm, clear
voice:


Those wishing to be united in the holy
bonds OF matrlmony, will now please come
forward"


A deep stiffness instantly fell over tie
congregation, broken only be the russling
of the silk, as ONE pretty girl or excited
matron changed her position to catch the
first view of the couple to be married. No
one, however, arose, or seemed in the least
incined to rise. Whereupon the worthy
clergymen. deeming the first notice un-
heard or misunderstood, repeated:


Let those wishing to be united in the
holy bonds Of matrimony now come for.
ward.


Still no one stirred. The silence became
almost audible, and painful sence of awk-
war1ness among those present was felt,
when young gentleman who occupied a
vacant seat in the broad aisle during the
service, slowly arose and deliberately walked
to the foot of the alter. He was good look
ing and well dressed, but no female accom-.
panied his travels. When he arrived with
in Il respectful distance of the clergyman
he paused, and with a reverend bow step
ped to one side Of the aisle, but neither said
anything, nor seemed at all Disconnected at
the idea of being Barred alone.


The clergyman looked anxiously around
for the bride, who, he supposed was yet to
arrive, and at length remarked to the young
gentleman in an undertone:


The lady, sir, is dllatory,"


"Yes, sir.


Had you not better defer the oereuo.
n.y."


II think not"


DO you suppose she will be here soon?"


Me. sir, said the young gentleman,
show should I know of the lady's move
monts?"


A few moments were suffered to elspse
IN this unpleasant state of expectancy,
when the clergyman renewed his interro-
gatO,'cs


did the lady promise to attend at the
present hour, sjr?"


What lady?"


why, the lady, to be sure, that you are
waiting here for


III did not hear her say anything about
it, was the unsatisfactory response.


Then, sir, may ak YOU Why you are
here, and for what purpose you thus trlfe
in the sanctuary Of the Most High?" said
the somewhat enr ged clerical


Il came, sir, simply because you invited
all those wishing to be united in the holy
bonds of matrimouy to step forward; and |
happened to entertain such wish. I am
very sorry to have misunderstood you, sir,
and wish you very good day


The benedicti0n was uttered in the SOL
emnity of tone very little in accordance with
the twitching Of the facial nerves, and When
after the church was closed, the story got
amongst the congregation, more than one
girl regretted that the Young gentleman
who really wished to be united in the holy
bonds of matrimoDy, bad been obliged to
depart without WIFE