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The Minister, if he shall have reason to doubt of the lawfulness of the proposed marriage, may demand sufficient surety for his indemnification; but, if no impediment shall be alleged or suspected, the Minister shall say to the

man:

M., wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

The man shall answer:

I will.

Then shall the Minister say unto the woman :

N., wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou cherish and care for him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

The woman shall answer:

I will.

Then shall the Minister say:

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

Then shall they give their troth to each other in this manner. The Minister, receiving the woman at her father's or friend's hands, shall cause the man with his right hand

to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth :

I, M., take thee, N., to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

Then shall they loose their hands; and the woman, with her right hand, taking the man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Minister:

I, N., take thee, M., to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

Then shall they again loose their hands; and the man shall give unto the woman a ring. And the Minister taking the ring shall deliver it unto the man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand. And the man holding the ring there, and taught by the Minister, shall say:

With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the name of our Father in Heaven. Amen.

Then the man leaving the ring upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand, the Minister shall say :

Let us pray:

Giver of all good and fountain of all joy, the guide, support, and felicity of all who put their

trust in thee: we beseech thee to bless these thy servants. Enable them faithfully to perform the covenant they have now made in thy presence. May their hearts be united in the closest bonds of love. May they be counsel and strength, and light and comfort, one to the other; sharers of each other's joys, consolers of each other's sorrows, and helpers to each other in all the changes and chances of the world. Hand in hand, and heart with heart, trusting in each other and in thee, may they tread together the path of life. Be thou, O Father, their guard and guide. And lead them through this transitory world to the life eternal. Amen.

The Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.

Marriage Service, No. 2.

NOTE.- The following service may suit the wants of those who do not like the form of giving away the bride,— a relic of the barbaric time when woman was owned and could be given away; as, also, those who - as bride or groom - do not like to take so large a part in the words of the service. It can be used without a ring, by omitting that part of the form. In that case, of course, the closing words would be changed, and might read: "I then, by virtue of authority," etc.

Of course the prayers, in either service, can be extempore, if the Minister prefers.

If desired, the opening questions to both the man and the woman can be asked as one question; thus omitting the first answers (I do), and only answering once (I will).

The parties standing arm in arm, the Minister shall say:

morning

evening

DEAR FRIENDS, we have gathered here this afternoon to unite this man and this woman in holy marriage. This is an institution ordained by God in the very laws of our being, for the happiness and welfare of mankind. To be true, this outward ceremony must be but a symbol of that which is inner and real,-a sacred union of hearts that the Church may bless and the State make legal, but that neither can create or annul. To be happy, there must be a consecration of each to other, and of both to the noblest ends of life.

Believing that in such a spirit as this and with such a purpose you have now come, you may join your right hands.

To the Man.

take this woman,

for better,

You, for worse, for richer, for poorer, to have and to hold, from this day forth, as your lawful wedded wife?

Ans.- I do.

You will love, honor, cherish, and protect her in sickness and in health, in prosperity and in adversity, and, leaving all other, you will cleave only unto her, so long as you both shall live?

Ans. I will.

You,

To the Woman.

take this man,

-, for better, for

worse, for richer, for poorer, to have and to hold, from this day forth, as your lawful wedded husband?

Ans.- I do.

You will love, honor, cherish, and care for him, in sickness and in health, in prosperity and in adversity, and, leaving all other, you will cleave only unto him, so long as you both shall live? Ans. I will.

To the Man.

What pledge do you offer that you will fulfil these vows?

Ans. This ring.

He hands it to the Minister.

To the Woman.

Do you, on your part, accept this in token of the same?

Ans.- I do.

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