The Milan Exchange July 31, 1879

A Novel Wedding Ceremony
An Adventist Minister Steps From the Pulpit and Marries Himself to a Lady of His Congregation

A very singular marriage took place at the Advent Chapel, Worcester, Mass. Saturday evening. The affair has created considerable comment and not a little feeling among the Adventists, and thus reported in the Gazette: "The parties married were Mr. Henry J. Munson of Modoc, Mo., and Miss Mattie A. Eaton of this city. Of the groom very little is known except that he advertised himself as an evangelist from Kansas. The bride is a very estimable young lady, a native of Shrewsbury, where her mother still resides. She has been living for some time in the family of Dr. C.B. Robbins, and has been a regular attendant at Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. She is an earnest Christian, and has won the love and respect of all those who have been acquainted with her.
Mr. Munson went to E.G. Higgins, who had the charge of the Advent chapel last week, and represented himself as an Advent preacher, and asked of the chapel for a meeting on Saturday evening.  He stated in reply to questions as to the object of the meeting, that he intended to be married, but declined to give the lady's name. He told Mr. Higgins that that Elder Bachelor of New Bedford, who was to preach on Sunday, would perform the ceremony. Mr. Higgins reluctantly gave his consent supposing there would only be a small gathering.
On Sunday morning Mr. Munson advertised a meeting, stating that he would preach a sermon on three parts, but did not mention anything about a marriage ceremony.  When the hour of the meeting arrived, about fifty persons were present. Mr. Munson went into the pulpit and preached a sermon the first two divisions being "Repentance" and "Holiness" or "Sanctification." He then opened the Bible at Matthew xxv., and proceeded to read the parable of the ten virgins. At the sixth verse-- "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh: go ye out to meet him"--he stepped down from the pulpit and the lady stepped forward from one of the front pews, and taking the Bible, continued to read from the seventh to the tenth verses, inclusive, Mr. Munson then took the lady's right hand, and then said, "And I now before God and these witnesses, do take this woman whom I hold by the right hand to be my lawful wedded wife, to love and cherish her as my own body until Christ shall come to claim with us all the saints that are his own bride or death shall part us."
The woman said "And I now take this man to be my lawful wedded husband to love, reverence and obey him until the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout and with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God or till death shall us sever."
They then bowed down and the man offered prayer. After the prayer Mr Munson returned to his desk and closed his discourse by urging the importance of being ready for the coming of the Lord. The services closed in good order.
After the close, Mr. Munson says that a few persons, variously stated at from four to ten, made some objections in the matter in which the marriage had been performed and some became quite denunciatory. Others considered it as a very simple and sublime ceremony.  The marriage license was taken out on Saturday from the city clerk's office, and this morning it was returned. The blank space for nae of the officiating clergyman or justice is not filled, so that the return has no authority attached to it. Under the circumstances it would appear to have been very appropriate to both parties to have their signature to the instrument.
The parties have been stopping at No. 79 Portland Street, and on Sunday attended the services at the Advent chapel, where they were cordially treated. Mr. Munson says he asked Elder Bachelor to marry him; but he declined to go to the chapel Saturday evening on account of his age and infirmities He, however, claims that the elder sanctions the proceedings. Mr. Higgins takes the blame upon himself for allowing the services to be held, and desires to exonerate others connected with the church. He will not allow the chapel to be used again except by parties to whose standing in Christian work there can be no doubt. Mr. Munson has with him recommendations from various parties in Missouri, giving him high endorsement. They call him 'Dr. Munson' and certify to his practicing medicine for ten years. The strangely-wedded pair have gone to visit the bride's mother in Shrewsbury.