(Section 4) You Promised Series

RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGE

IV. YOU PROMISED

A. MARRIAGE SERVICES

1. A Baptist Marriage Service

Holy and happy is the sacred hour when two devoted hearts are bound by the enchanting ties of matrimony. And these precious evidences of purity of heart and contentment of mind, for all their future, are made more sure, when the contracting parties enter this glad time, clad in the comely robes of reverence, humility, and faith, that they may then be blessed of our Heavenly Father, Maker of us all--the One who has ordained marriage as the cornerstone of family life. and the guarantee of honorable human society.

First and noblest of human contracts, marriage was divinely instituted when Jehovah God spoke the nuptial words of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Jesus of Nazareth honored its celebration by his presence at the wedding of Cana of Galilee, and chose its beautiful relations as the figure of that benign union between himself and his Church. Paul, militant missionary Apostle, commends it as a worthy institution, alike essential to social order, human efficiency, and well-being while the race inhabits the earth, and tells the husband to love his wife as Christ loved his Church and gave himself for it, and the wife to be faithful to her husband, even as the Church is obedient to Christ in everything. Thus the two, husband and wife, forsaking all others become on flesh, one in thought, intent, and hope, in all the concerns of present life. pg 120 -121

The Minister's Marriage Handbook James L. Christensen 1966 Fleming H. Revell

2. Another marriage service

If it be your intention to take each other as husband and wife, you will manifest it by uniting your right hands.

This being done, he shall say to the man,

You now take this woman, whose hand you hold, to be your lawful wedded wife. Do you solemnly promise, before God and these witnesses, that you will love, honor, and cherish her; and that, forsaking all others for her alone, you will faithfully perform to her all the duties which a husband owes to a wife, so long as you both shall live?

He answers, I do. Then to the woman,

You now take this man, whose hand you hold, to be your lawful wedded husband. Do you solemnly promise, before God and these witnesses, that you will love, honor, and cherish him; and that, forsaking all others for him alone, you will faithfully perform to him all the duties which a wife owes to a husband, so long as you both shall live?

She answers, I do. Then, if a ring be used, the minister shall take it from the man, and say to him,

And this ring you give to her whom you have now taken as your lawful wife, in token of affection with which you will cherish her, and the fidelity with which you will perform the sacred vows you have now made?

He answers, I do. Then to her,

And this ring you accept from him whom you have now taken as you lawful husband, and will wear as a sign and evidence of your affection for him, and the fidelity with which you will discharge you duties as a wife?

She answers, I do. He then returns the ring to the man, directing him to place it on the hand of the woman. After which he says:

Let this be the seal of your plighted faith, and of your mutual affection and fidelity; a memorial of this sacred service, and of the holy bonds of marriage, by which you are bound henceforth till death shall separate you.

As you have thus solemnly agreed before God and these witnesses, I pronounce you lawfully married husband and wife. May Divine favor crown this union and you future lives, with all temporal and spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus our Savior, and bring you to the life everlasting. Amen.

The Star Book for Ministers Edward T. Hiscox 1906 The Judson Press pg 211-213

3. Another marriage service.

Dearly beloved: We are gather together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy matrimony, which is commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate, these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.

If no impediment shall be alleged, the minister shall say to the man:

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?