Chapter 7 Betrothal and Banns

Mary POV

As I ran into my room, being all flustered from his kiss, I pondered the dinner discussions. I was shocked at the bundling idea, but I understood what it was meant for. It was meant for us to find out if we were nocturnally compatible. Just the thought of John sharing my bed made me nervous, but I know he will stick to his principles. Of course, the temptation to give into the flesh will be there, so I will ask John to pray before sleeping to keep us from sin. I was thinking about the steps we would have to do in the next coming weeks for our wedding. I need a new dress, but I know John will help me since he has nice materials available. While I was thinking, I got changed for bed, prayed, and fell fast asleep.

John's POV

I watched Mary run off all flustered. I smiled thinking that she is so cute. I understood why she ran. We did not want to tempt ourselves because we had passion and physical chemistry, so we separated quickly to keep ourselves safe. I thought about my convictions, and I will stick to my promise to wait until our wedding night.

I was also thinking about the betrothal contract and made a note to ask Nathanial about it. I looked forward to our betrothal ceremony, spending a lot of time with her, planning, making her dress, submitting the banns, and will stick to my principles regarding bundling. I knew that I had to sleep in her bed during the week before the wedding. This will be the biggest test for both of us. I prayed to hide God's word in my heart, so that I would not sin against God (Psalm 119:11). Then I fell into a deep slumber.

The next day

I waited for Mary to come down for breakfast, have our morning Bible reading and prayer time. I understood that she still worked as a nurse, but the Heaton's have reduced her workload to prepare. When she came into the dining area, she was wearing her work outfit.

We did their morning readings out of Ephesians 5. This chapter discusses marriage rolls. We prayed as a couple.

The Heaton's came to breakfast, and we discussed the Betrothal contact. Nathaniel said, "It is a small commitment ceremony. You will promise to marry in front of witnesses, and this would be considered the beginning of your marriage. This contact will be presented on three Sundays in a row, and the banns will be posted at each meeting. If there are no objections to the union, you will marry soon after." I nodded in understanding and looked over at Mary, and she was nodding too. Nathaniel said, "The ceremony needs to happen that evening for presentation on Sunday." We agreed.

After breakfast, Mary went to work while I moved in. Nathaniel accompanied me and helped me move into the guest room. Once moving was finished, Mary received time off and sat with me to design her wedding dress. She did not want anything too fancy, but something she could wear to church services. I decided to show her a sketch of an idea I had. This dress was better quality than the one she made, but still simple. I said, "I would put buttons and bows down the front bodice. The dress would be made of green silk, and put a couple bows on the top corners of the apron and use white for the apron. I would put a ruffle on the top collar with plain lace on it. She would wear the same bonnet she wears on Sunday".

"I love it, John". Mary stated in approval.

For the betrothal that evening she wore her Sunday dress that she wore when we bumped into each other. She made that dress, but I wanted to make her a dress, so she could keep it as an heirloom for our future daughter. She did not want to wear the same dress for the wedding. With those decisions made, it was time to get ready.

Betrothal Ceremony

In the evening in front of some church elders, the Heaton's, and a few neighbors, John and Mary held hands and vowed to each other, " I do faithfully promise to marry thee in time meet and convenient." After they presented three verses that were mentioned when bans were presented. Along with a contract presentation.

These verses would be read on each when the Banns were announced on Sunday.

1. Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24 KJV).

2. And God Blessed them and God said unto them, be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth (Genesis 1:24a KJV).

3 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"

(Ephesians 5:22-25 KJV.)

John and Mary had a busy three weeks. Her dresswas almost finished. They did all their requirements of courting. The banns

were presented, and no one objected, so they were free to marry.

With just one week before the wedding, the final test began....

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