A QUAKER WEDDING.

North Otago Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1161, 29 December 1875, Page 5 (Supplement)

A QUAKER WEDDING.

A fashionable Quaker wedding — the contradiction of terms is apparent only — took place on August lltb, at Dai 1lington, the stronghold of the Society of Friends. The bridegroom was Mr Alfred Richardson, a Belfast manufacturer, and the bride was Miss Leatham, of Middlesborough, and niece of Mr John Bright, who, with Mrs Bright, was present on the occasion. The bridesmaids were seven in number, as also were the groomsmen. After prayer by Mr Samuel Hare, a death-like pause ensued, which was broken by an aged Quakeress leading the devotions of those present once more. Then the contracting parties were exhorted by MiHarrison Penny, after which, without being invited or called upon by any one to do so, the bridegroom rose and said — " In the fear of God, and in the presence of this assembly, I, AJfred Richardson, take Emma Leatham to be my wife, promising to be unto her a loving

and faithful husband, until it shall please the Lord by death to separate us." The bride, in a clear and distinct voice, made a precisely similar delaration, making no mention of honoring and obeying her husband. , Mr Haie then invoked the Divine blessing on the pair thus united, and when he had concluded, the certificate of marriage was read aloud by the clerk of the meeting. The certificate was then signed by tie bride and bridegroom, and after them by a considerable numbei of those present, including Mr Bright. It was beautifully illuminated, and in the upper left hand corner contained photographs of the happy pair.