of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. 1 Pet. iii. 1-7. LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. W Colossians iii. 18, 19. IVES, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. To the candidates. YOU present yourselves in the presence of God and of these witnesses, to be joined together in holy wedlock. You are to take each the other respectively as husband and wife, for prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, poverty or riches; and to perform all the duties belonging to such relation to the end of life! To some of those duties as laid down in the Holy Scriptures I have already called your attention; and now in token of your readiness to assume these solemn obligations, and to be united in holy wedlock, you will please join your right hands, while I propose to you the marriage covenant. To the bridegroom. Do you, 4-B-declare before God and these witnesses, that you have chosen this Woman, whom you hold by the hand, to be your lawful and wedded wife? and do you promise to be to her a faithful and affectionate husband, till death shall separate you? Ans. I will. To the bride. Do you, CD avow before God and these witnesses, that you have chosen this Man, whom you hold by the hand, to be your lawful and wedded husband? and do you promise to be to him a faithful, affectionate, and obedient wife, till death shall separate you?" ?* Ans. I will. The parties respectively having assented, the minister shall say : WHAT A HAT God hath joined together let not man put asunder. ND now, forasmuch as you have thus consented together in holy wedlock, and have signified the same before God and these witnesses by joining your hands, I pronounce you husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Prayer. *Pastor's Hand-Book, p. 37. SECTION V. A very Brief Service without the Ring or Scripture Lesson. ¶ Should a very brief ceremony be desired, the following may be used: YOU these witnesses, to be joined together in holy wedlock. This is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, and should not be entered upon unadvisedly or lightly. But believing that you have duly considered the solemn obligations you are about to assume, and that you are prepared to enter upon the same discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God, I shall propose to you the marriage cove nant. Q. W ILT thou take each the other respectively as Husband and wife; to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love, cherish, honor, and keep each other in prosperity and adversity; in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, cleave each to the other, so long as you both shall live? Ans. I will. IN N token of your assent to this covenant, you will join your right hands (this done); and what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Forasmuch as you have now consented together in holy wedlock, and have signified |