MARRIAGES IN LENT

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21449, 15 April 1935, Page 18

MARRIAGES IN LENT

TO THI EDITOS Or TBB PRESS. Sir,—l have to thank your correspondent "E.C.N." for his courteous reply to my query as to the "law" of the Church of England against marriages in Lent. I note that he agrees that neither the marriage service nor the articles enjoin the prohibition. He agrees further that "the Canons of 1604 do not refer to prohibited seasons for marriage." I would point out, incidentally, that if they did do so, the prohibition would bind only the clergy, not the laity of the Church of England. "E.C.N." has succeeded in showing that it was a well-established "custom" of the unreformed Church to prohibit marriages in Lent and at some other seasons, and justifies the present "tradition" of the Church of England in the matter by Article 34. Here comes nearest to establishing a case for the prohibition in question, but from his own quotation of the article it is plainly seen that only traditions "not repugnant to the Word of God" are entitled to the protection of that article. Since neither the prayer book, nor the articles, nor the 1004 Canons throw out any hint of a Church "tradition" against Lenten marriages, and since the Wora of Gcd knows nothing of the season of Lent bu' says that "marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled" (Heb. xiii., 4), it is difficult to see that your correspondent has made out any case at all why the clergy of the Church of England should frown on marriages in Lent.

To one who pays due regard to the Word of God, Lent as an institution is tolerable only as it gives us a convenient opportunity to meditate on and be instructed in certain aspects of Christian faith and doctrine. To exalt it into a season when we may not even marry is to degrade marriage ;nid to bring us also under the condemnation of St. Paul: "Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain" (Gal. iv„ 10, 11).—Yours, etc., F K T April li 1935. TO THB BDITOR or TUB PRBSS. Sir,—A part of my letter of April 13 read: . . . "the alteration of an <-ld, fine custom of marrying in Lent." This was a misprint; it should have read: . . . "the alteration of the ola time custom of marrying in Lent."— Yours, etc., BROAD-MINDED ANGLICAN. April 14, 1935. .