Marriage Ceremony No 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This ceremony is presented as a help to young preachers who sometimes do not have access to a marriage ceremony when they first start out preaching the word. It is my hope this will be of some help when you are called upon to perform this important event in the sight of man and God.                                                                                                                                                                          —Shelby G. Floyd

 

 

Marriage is the oldest and most sacred of all the social institutions among men. Ordained of the all wise Creator, in the Garden of Eden, its sanctity has been made known to the entire human race, on the pages of the Bible.

 

Marriage is a joyous relation. It is connected in our thoughts with the sweet magic charm of home, and with all that is pleasant and attractive in the tender and more sacred relations of life.

 

A relation that is so consecrated should not be entered thoughtlessly or irreverently; but advisedly in the fear of God, and for the purpose for which he, the divine author, ordained and blessed matrimony.

 

God saw that it was not good that men should be alone, so he gave him a helper suitable for him, and an apostle declares that marriage is honorable among all.  In his holy word you will find the council you will need in this mutual relation.  The vows you now take are to be broken only by death itself.

 

In the presence of God and this assembly, we shall now solemnize the rights of matrimony between the contracting parties before us.  Therefore, if any one present knows a lawful reason why they should not be joined in the holy bond of wedlock, you will speak now or ever after hold your peace.

 

Now be pleased to join right hands.

 

Vows

 

(Minister to the groom) Do you take this one whom you hold by the hand to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together after God's appointment in the holy estate of matrimony, and do you promise that you will love her, honor her, protect her, preserve, comfort and keep her, and forsaking all others keep only unto her so long and you both shall live?

 

(You will answer, "I do")

 

(Minister to the bride) Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together after the appointment of God, in the holy estate of matrimony, and do you promise that you will love him, honor him, preserve, comfort and keep him, and forsaking all others keep only unto him in the bond of wedlock, so long as you both shall live?

 

(You will answer, "I do")

 

The Ring

 

The ring, the circle, the emblem of eternity; and gold, the type of what is least tarnished, and is most enduring; it is to show how lasting and imperishable the faith now mutually pledged.  The ring, from time immemorial, has been the symbol of treaties, covenants, and contracts the most sacred, and always regarded as unbreakable. Away back in the dim gray dawn of time, the great Jehovah sealed his everlasting covenant with man in the circle of the rainbow.  It is eminently fitting, then, that in vows so sacred, and in a covenant so enduring as the marriage bond, that it should be sealed with the ring.

 

(Minister presents ring to the bridegroom, who in turn, places it on the proper finger of the bride's left hand, and repeats the following words in broken phrases, after the minister.)

 

"With this ring—I do wed you—and with all my earthly estate—and my heart's true devotion—I do endow you.”

 

(Minister then presents ring to the bride, who, in turn, places it all in the proper figure of the bridegroom's left-hand, and she repeats the following words in broken phrases, after the minister.)

 

"With this ring-- I do wed you—and with all my earthly estate—and my heart's true devotion—I do endow you.”

 

Pronouncement

 

Forasmuch as these two have consented together in wedlock, and have solemnly witnessed the same before God and this assembly; and have sealed their vows in giving and receiving rings, and have joined their hands in further assurance, and seal of their valves, I, therefore, in virtue of the power vested in me as a minister of the Gospel, and the authority of the state of ____________, which I hold in my hand (marriage license), pronounce that you are husband and wife.

 

Prayer

 

And now may the blessings of God our heavenly Father, rest upon these two who have pledged to each other there lives and merged in one all their sacred, and earthly interests.  May they live together after the appointment of God; in that holy estate into which they are now entered may each seek the other's welfare, the good of their fellowmen, and the honor and glory of God, through Christ, the blessed and adorable Redeemer?  Amen.