The congregation began to sing the third verse of the familiar Loblied German praise hymn as Ellie walked single file behind her groom. Sol followed Leah and his brother Aaron ahead of him as the wedding party began the procession through the house and narrow passages of the crowded room. Close behind Ellie were Sol’s cousin Jake and Ruthann, the other two attendants. Sol and his young men were clad in black suits and long-sleeved white shirts, just as they would wear to Sunday Preaching service, while Ellie, Leah, and Ruthann wore their new blue dresses, overlayed with white organdy capes and aprons.

It was the day Ellie had contemplated even as a young girl. Now she was delighted to see so many relatives and friends as she followed Sol to one of the six cane-back chairs set aside at the front, where the bishop and other ministers sat. And as instructed beforehand, she and Sol sat down in perfect unison, with Ellie, Leah, and Ruthann facing Sol, Aaron, and Jake.

During the second sermon, the main one, Ellie listened attentively as the bishop pointed out the well-known couples in the Old Testament—Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Rachel, and Ruth and Boaz. Then he read from the New Testament, “‘Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it,’” followed by another verse, “‘Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.’”

When the time came for Ellie and Sol to stand before Bishop Mast, Ellie’s heart was filled with love as Sol held her hand. Sol was to be honored and commended for his determination to be all he could be for her and for the Lord. And looking into his face, she felt truly grateful to be his bride.

After their vows were made and the bishop had prayed a blessing over them, Ellie felt her face warm as she and Sol returned to their seats. God’s presence is here, she thought.

One of the preachers gave a word of testimony, and then the deacon was invited to make remarks about the sermon, both ordained men in agreement with the Word of God. Last of all, the brethren gave their blessings for Sol and Ellie’s sacred union.

The service and the five-minute wedding ended with a prayer as all the People rose from their seats, turned, and knelt. Then after singing the final hymn, which referenced the glorious wedding of the Lamb—the Lord Jesus Christ—the official service was over, and the celebration of Sol and Ellie’s marriage was to begin.

Upstairs, Ellie and Sol met privately, as was the custom for newlyweds, where Sol took her in his strong arms and kissed her for the first time. She smiled sweetly, and he gave her another kiss, more ardently this time, and she wished they could stay right there forever.