According to the custom of all civilized nations, marriage is regulated by laws and ceremonies: therefore we believe, that all marriages in this , should be solemnized in a public meeting, or feast, prepared for that purpose: and that the solemnization should be performed by a , , , , or , not even prohibiting those persons who are desirous to get married, of being married by other authority.— We believe that it is not right to prohibit members of this church from marrying out of the church, if it be their determination so to do, but such persons will be considered weak in the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Marriage should be celebrated with prayer and thanksgiving; and at the solemnization, the persons to be married, standing together, the man on the right, and the woman on the left, shall be addressed, by the person officiating, as he shall be directed by the Holy Spirit: and if there be no legal objections, he shall say, calling each by their names: “You both mutually agree to be each other’s companion, husband and wife, observing the legal rights belonging to this condition; that is, keeping yourselves wholly for each other, and from all others, during your lives.” And when they have answered “Yes,” he shall pronounce them “husband and wife” in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by virtue of the laws of the country and authority vested in him: “may God add his blessings and keep you to fulfil your covenants from hence forth and forever. Amen.”

The clerk of every church should keep a record of all marriages, solemnized in his .

All legal contracts of marriage made [p. 162]