Requests have frequently been received for varying types of the marriage service,—the more formal, suitable for the larger church wedding, and the simpler form, possibly for a home wedding, or at least marked with less formality. We are pleased to present these different types of service as prepared and used by experienced workers, together with an admonition which may be used effectively.----Editors.
Form of Ceremony No. 1
Submitted by A. W. Spalding
For the celebration of the marriage of this young man and this young woman we are gathered here, dear friends, in the sight of God, and in the presence of you all as living witnesses to the troth they plight. It is fitting that there should be public acknowledgment of this most ancient rite of marriage, because it is an act that affects not only the persons who are thus joined together, but all society.
In the very beginning marriage was ordained of God, when He took the man whom He had formed of His Spirit and of the dust of the ground, and from his side, out of his living substance, created woman, bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh, spirit of his spirit, and made her a help meet to his every human need. And the Lord God said, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
The institution thus established by marriage —the home—is, has ever been, and must ever be the foundation of a sound society. The wellbeing of the community, the success of the church, the prosperity of the nation, depend upon the home. Where the home has flourished in the purity and grace of Christian life, there has the welfare of society been made secure; and where the home has been betrayed and degraded, there has society crumbled.
With what reverence, then, must the rite of marriage and the institution of the home be held in every mind, and with what solicitude must their sanctity be preserved in public and in private regard. The occasion of the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife will, by Christian minds, be greeted, not with unseemly levity, but with decorous joy.
Through marriage and the love thus recognized and fostered, are to be revealed the deeper mysteries of the church, and of that union of human and divine that is the highest state of mankind. For the Holy Scripture saith:
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church. . . . Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
"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. . . .
"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." Eph. 5:22-32.
Into this holy estate these two persons here present come now to be joined. Therefore, if any man can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.
At this point the minister addresses the bride and bridegroom as follows:
I require and charge you both, as ye shall answer in the day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either know any cause or impediment whereby ye may not lawfully be joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it; for be well assured that any who are united together otherwise than as God's word doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is their marriage lawful.
(Turning to the congregation) Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?
Then the father of the bride, or other relative, will signify his assent by saying, "I do," at the same time placing the right hand of the bride in the hand of the minister.
At this point the minister will join the bride's hand with that of the bridegroom, the hands remaining clasped until the close of the benediction.
(Addressing the bridegroom) And now, solemnly promising before God and in the presence of these witnesses, wilt thou [speaking the full namel have this woman [speaking full namel, to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the sacred estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor her, cherish her, in sickness and in health, in prosperity or in adversity; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her so long as ye both shall live? Dost thou so declare?
The bridegroom will respond: "I do."
(Addressing the bride) Wilt thou [speaking full name], have this man [speaking full name], to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the sacred estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, in prosperity or in adversity; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him so long as ye both shall live? Dost thou so declare?
The bride will respond: "I do."
(Turning to the congregation) Forasmuch, then, as [full name of bridegroom] and [full name of bride] have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands, I, as a minister of the gospel, and by authority of the law of [local territory], do pronounce that they are husband and wife.
At this point the bridegroom kisses the bride.
"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Amen.
The bridegroom and the bride, either kneeling or standing, then receive the benediction, as follows:
"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Amen.
The bridegroom and the bride then release hands, and the minister introduces the wedded pair to the audience, suggesting the arrangement to be followed in receiving the congratulations of friends.
Form of Ceremony No. 2
Submitted by I. H. Evans
Marriage is a divine institution. It was ordained of God in the garden of Eden before man sinned. It was sanctioned by the presence of Christ and His disciples at the marriage in Cana of Galilee. It was declared by the apostle Paul to be honorable, and is so regarded among all nations. It is a relationship which should not be entered into hastily or unadvisedly, but soberly and in the fear of God.
Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?
The father will signify his assent, saying, "I do."
And now if you, and you, .......................... desire to be united in the bonds of holy matrimony, you will signify the same by joining your right hands. And as you will answer when all is made manifest at the last great day, I charge you to declare whether there exists any reason which would hinder your lawful union. Is there any one present who knows of any reason why these persons should not be united in marriage? If so, speak now, or forever after hold your peace.
................ , do you take this woman, .............. , whom you hold by the hand, to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love, honor, cherish, and protect her in sickness and health, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others cleave to her and to her only so long as you both shall live?
The bridegroom answers: "I do."
.......................... , do you take this man, whom you hold by the hand, to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love, honor, cherish, and protect him in sickness and health, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others cleave to him and to him only so long as you both shall live?
The bride answers: "I do."
And now by virtue of your vows of affection, fidelity, and faithfulness, and by the authority vested in me as a minister of the gospel, by the ordinance of God, and the laws of the State of ............... , I unite you, .............and ........................... , in the bonds of holy matrimony, and pronounce you lawfully married husband and wife in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. What God hath joined together let not man put asunder. Let us pray.
The bride and bridegroom, unclasping hands, kneel or stand with bowed heads during prayer and while the following benediction is spoken:
The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace, now and evermore. Amen.
After the benediction, the minister shall say:
I have the pleasure of introducing to this company Mr. and Mrs.
They will be pleased to receive the congratulations of their friends.
Form of Ceremony No. 3
Submitted by O. Montgomery
Addressing the company, the minister shall say:
Dearly Beloved: We are gathered together here in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency. With the Sabbath, it stands as one of the two holy institutions given to man in Eden before sin was known; and it comes down to us through the ages, bearing the divine approval and blessing of our loving heavenly Father. Matrimony is used in the Holy Scriptures to typify the perfect union that exists between Christ and His church; it was honored by the Saviour when He performed His first miracle at the marriage feast at Cana of Galilee; it is commended by the apostle Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any one to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God.
During all time men and women have chosen for themselves companions with whom they have entered into holy wedlock; and now these two persons here present desire to unite their lives in this sacred union, and we know of no reason why they may not be privileged so to do.
Then to the man the minister shall say:
Will you, .................... , take this woman at your side to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, protect, and keep her, in sickness and in health, in prosperity or adversity, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, as long as ye both shall live?
Then to the woman the minister shall say:
Will you, ......................... , take this man at your side to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, in prosperity or adversity, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, as long you both shall live? Then to them both, the minister shall say:
If you do both thus solemnly vow and pledge your troth to each other, you may signify the same by joining your right hands.
The minister shall then lay his right hand upon their clasped hands and say:
Upon this solemn covenant which you have both made, each with the other, and which you have declared before God and in the presence of these witnesses by the joining of your right hands, I, a minister of the gospel, on the authority of God's word and in harmony with His divine plan for His children, and in compliance with the laws of the State of .......... do pronounce you husband and wife. May the Holy Spirit seal with divine approval this union, and may the Lord's choicest blessings be upon you.
Then the minister shall say:
Let us pray.
[The bride and groom only should kneel; the minister and company should remain standing. The prayer should be short.]
Then the minister, addressing the company, shall say:
Dear friends, it is with much pleasure that I have the honor of presenting to you this new family, Mr. and Mrs. ..................................................
I am sure it will give them much pleasure to receive your congratulations.
Admonition to Bride and Groom
Submitted by J. L. McElhany
Either before or after the prayer, addressing the bride and groom, I deliver this admonition:
Preserve sacredly the privacies of your own home, your marriage state, and your hearts. Let no father or mother, or brother or sister, ever presume to come between you or share the joys or sorrows that belong to you and to you two alone.
With mutual help, build your quiet world, not allowing your dearest earthly friends to be the confidant of aught that concerns your domestic peace. Let moments of alienation, if that occur, be healed at once. Never, no, never, speak of it outside; but to each other confess, and all will come out right. Never let the morrow's sun still find you at variance. Renew and renew your vow. It will do you good; and thereby your minds will grow together contented in that love which is stronger than death, and you will be truly one.
