They say, that
marriage is an ordinance of God, and that God only can rightly join man
and woman in marriage. Therefore, they use neither priest nor
magistrate; but the man and woman concerned take each other as husband
and wife, in the presence of divers credible witnesses, promising to each
other, with God's assistance, to be loving and faithful in that relation,
till death shall separate them. But antecedent to this, they first
present themselves to the monthly meeting for the affairs of the church
where they reside; there declaring their intentions to take one another
as husband and wife, if the said meeting have nothing material to object
against it. They are constantly asked the necessary questions, {25} as
in case of parents or guardians, if they have acquainted them with their
intention, and have their consent, &c. The method of the meeting is, to
take a minute thereof, and to appoint proper persons to inquire of their
conversation and clearness from all others, and whether they have
discharged their duty to their parents or guardians; and to make report
thereof to the next monthly meeting, where the same parties are desired
to give their attendance.
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