I cannot forego the privilege of having God in covenant with me for my children as he was with Abraham for his; and I crave some divine seal affixed to it.
"You said, Mrs.Benson, that you would like to have God promise to be the God of your child, and then command you to do something which would be like God and you signing and sealing it together.

But do you think, Mrs.B., that this is necessary?
Why is it not enough for God to make a promise, and you make one, and let it be without any sign or seal ?" "People don't do things in that way," said Mr.Benson, with a decided motion, two or three times, with his head.

"They call a wedding a ceremony, it is true, and some say, 'So long as people are engaged to be man and wife, the ceremony makes little difference.' But it does make all the difference in the world,--this mere ceremony, as they call it.
They never like to dispense with it themselves, at least; because, you see, it makes all the difference between unlawful, sinful union, and marriage.

It makes married life; which could not exist, without the ceremony, among decent people.

It gives a title and ground to a thing which could not be without it.