MARRIAGES AT NIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19808, 1 December 1927, Page 12

MARRIAGES AT NIGHT.

SOCIAL FUNCTION ASPECT. WARNING BY ARCHBISHOP. MODERN TENDENCIES DEPLORED. In a staking address at the annual festival of the Mothers' Union yesterday Archbishop Aver ill said .the sacred vow of marriage was often regarded merely as an element in social life, and its Christian significance was lost in the chief consideration that the wed ding was a social function. This attitude was particularly evident in connection with evening weddings, which were more calculated to be regarded as social rather than religious ceremonies. There was more danger of guests .and spectators tak mg this attitude at evening weiidings than they would at those celebrated in the morning or even in the afternoon. There was a tendency with some to regard the ceremony merely as n sop to religious rites an i conventions, and to ignore the solemnity of the service. If \his attitude was fostered the Church might seek for legislation to make all marriages civil ceremonies, and to give the blessing of the Church only to those who earnestly and sincerely regarded their marriage as a sacred ceremony. The present divorce laws were not founded on the teachings of Christ. Three years' separation as a ground of divorce was a measure that was distinctly harmful to the welfare of society in general, and divorce on that ground was, in the opinion of many scholars, 111 direct contradiction to the teaching of Christ.