The Right Wrong Word #2

Dear Boo and Bubble,

Of Mittie, Mattie, Ressie, Jessie, Annie Mae, Wade, Gene and Jamie, I probably knew your triple-great uncle Wade the least.  He served as a Baptist minister who, after leaving the pulpit, taught at the seminary in Richmond.  Unlike his siblings, he didn’t have a lot of children – just one adopted daughter who became estranged in her early adulthood.  That’s probably why I don’t have many personal recollections.  He and his wife, Lillian, didn’t contribute to the cousin pool in which each generation swam with great delight growing up and from which much of our folklore springs.

That doesn’t mean Uncle Wade went without legend. 

When he was just out of seminary himself and wet behind the ears as the pastor of his very first church, he was solicited to perform the wedding ceremony for the daughter of one of his most substantial members.  Unbeknown to the family, this was Wade’s first wedding and he felt great pressure that everything go not only well, but perfectly.

He practiced diligently all of the standard parts to the service trying to commit them to memory.  For safety, he penned his lines in large letters on paper and strategically taped them into the Bible where he could clandestinely glance at them, if need be, without appearing too obvious to the congregation.

The evening of the wedding finally arrived.  Wade donned his robes and secured the Bible.  He was ready.

Exquisite flower arrangements garnished the sanctuary and dais.  The candles from strategically placed multi-stemmed candelabra gave off a warm glow that created an ethereal atmosphere worthy of the occasion’s holiness. Guests filled every pew, end to end.  Everything certainly suited the stature of the influential man paying for it all.

When the organist concluded her prelude, she chimed the hour to alert all that the ceremony was beginning.  Wade, the groom and best man entered into the sanctuary.  To Trumpets Voluntary, the bridal procession began.  Groomsmen, bridesmaids and the maid of honor all took their places.  At which point, the organist paused strategically before diving with intended vigor into Wagner’s Bridal Chorus.  The bride entered the sanctuary on the arm of her father, whose beaming face signaled his pleasure at the scene.

They marched down the aisle and joined the wedding party.  The congregation quieted.

“Dear Beloved, we are gathered here today ……..” Uncle Wade began.

Things went along without a hitch.  Uncle Wade delivered an inspiring prayer and remarks about the sanctity of marriage as underscored by Jesus turning water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana.  The request for any objections met with everyone holding their peace.  Vows were made and rings exchanged to seal them. 

At this point, Wade began to relax.  Only the concluding prayer and final charge remained.  He raised his hands to signal for everyone to bow their heads and led them in the benediction. 

Sensing that he had indeed managed to orchestrate the ceremony to perfection, he closed his Bible confidently and in a booming, self-assured voice spoke not only to the newlyweds, but to all who could hear.

“By the authority vested in me both by this state and the holy church of Christ our Savior, I now pronounce you...... joyfully loined together.”