MARRIAGE AMONG THE QUAKERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1443, 29 December 1886, Page 2

MARRIAGE AMONG THE QUAKERS.

Divorces are actually unknown among the Quakers, and this absence is accounted for by the extraordinary precaution employed wh"n two young persons desire to be united in marriage. Tne parties place their proposals of marriage in a written form, which Is referred to the society of which they are members, and is ao ed upon at a “Preparation Meeting” thereof. If all the attendant circumstances are in every respect in aooordance with the views of those present, the proposal Is approved, and is then introduced at the “ monthly meeting,’ where It is again considered, and a committee tf investigation into the characters, habits, and circamstances of the engaged twain is appoi tied. T.ieee committees always coos'st of two members of esch stx. The committee, after a m .at thorough investigation, makes its retort, gene ally at the succeeding mmh y meeting. This end the preliminary arrangement, and the twain are at liberty to proceed in ihp accomplishment of their marriage, a committee of two of each sex being appointed by the met-ting to see that it is orderely conducted, and the marriage certificate delivered to the recorder. As a rule the Impressive care moms a are generally conducted at the Lome of the bride. At »he t'up ial oeccmoLies the j certfioataia given to the c uple, which, ■ after receiving their own signatures, is in turn signed by every person present, and ’ frequently contains a hundred names. |