Matrimony And Mennonites

When a Mennonite young man desirea to marry a Meniionite woman, instead of her about it lie confides in the minister. If the latter thinks well of the proposed match hc informs the woman and generally devotes considerable time to pleading the case of the lovesick swain, since it is considered somewhat indelicate for the woman to yield too easily. Evea efter their engagement the minister conducts most of the negotiations leadirg- up tothe mairiage ceremony. This alvvays takes place in a churci, to whdch everybody isentitled toadmission on the wedding day -without inTitation. Two weeks before the weddingthe "banns" are called from the pulpit and during that fortnight the bride and groom are allowed to meet without the presence of a third party. The firsfe portion of the ceremony consists of a sermón, generally on some suc'h subject as the duties of husband and wife. One such sermón preached at a wedding last suinmer lasted about two liours, although the minister announced in the beginning that because of the hot weather he would be brief." At tihe close of the sermón thecontracting parties, who had been seated on opposits sides of the church, walked to the altar, where they answered affirmatively a serios of questions and were pronounced man and wife. Then ttey returned to their seats on opposite sides of the auditorium and the regular services of the day were resumed.