The Church Manual (Church of the Brethren)/Chapter 16
CHAPTER XVI.
THE MARRIAGE RELATION.
The marriage relation is of Divine appointment, being instituted by God and recognized by Christ and his apostles. The power and wisdom of our Heavenly Father was not more strikingly displayed in the framing of the material universe, than in his plan of placing the inhabitants of the earth in families. The constitution of the sexes, and their mutual dependence upon each other, were, as our Savior clearly showed, de- signed and appointed from the beginning. Hence the sacredness of the marriage relation. Established in Eden, it has been perpetuated in successive dispensations, by which God has sought to promote the welfare of the human race. In all history, examples, both positive and negative, have been accumulating to prove that the highest interests of humanity center in the family. It is an institution of most sacred importance, and therefore should be entered into understandingly, having in view all the sacred obligations belonging to it. The minister of the Gospel, in performing the ceremony, should try to impress upon the minds of those entering the marriage relation, the sacredness of the institution and the grave responsibilities that they assume as they enter the new relation.
As a guide, and for the convenience of our ministers, the following forms of the marriage ceremony are submitted:
Form No. 1.
When the parties present themselves before the minister, he may say:
Marriage is an institution of Divine appointment, sanctioned by Christ and his apostles, and designed to increase human happiness and support social order.
In the Bible, which should be your constant companion, you will find all needed instructions as to your duties toward each other. As you have now presented yourselves before me for the purpose of being united in holy matrimony, in token of your decided choice for each other, as partners for life, you, — — and — — , will please join right hands.
(Joining of hands.)
Do you solemnly promise, before Almighty God and these witnesses, to receive each other as husband and wife, agreeing to perform the duties growing out of this relation, pledging yourselves to love each other, and to make every reasonable exertion to promote each other's happiness, until the union into which you are now entering is dissolved by death?
(Both answer in the affirmative.)
In view of the promises you have now made, I do, by virtue of the authority vested in me as a minister of the Gospel, pronounce you husband and wife. And what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
The ceremony is concluded by offering a short prayer.
Form No. 2.
After meeting the parties on the floor for the purpose of marriage, the minister says, addressing the man:
"Do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, performing towards her all the moral and Christian functions of the marriage state, forsaking all others and cleaving to her alone until separated by death?"
Answer by the man, "I do."
Addressing the woman:
"Do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, performing towards him all the functions of the marriage state, forsaking all others and cleaving to him alone until parted by death?"
Answer by the woman, "I do."
The parties now join hands and the minister will say:
Upon the promises which you have made before God and these witnesses, I do now, by the authority vested in me as a minister of the Gospel, pronounce you husband and wife, and what God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
The minister now lays his right hand on the joined hands of the parties married, and pronounces the following benediction:
"May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ richly bless you with all spiritual and temporal blessings, and enable you, through his grace, to perform the solemn vows which you have now made, so that when you have answered the design of your being here on earth, you may be gathered home to praise him eternally in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."