Thousands gathered to witness the union of 17 couples. The idea behind the mass ceremony was to encourage poor couples to formalise their unions . Planner and host Mrs Mary Morris Knibb and her Jamaica Women's Liberal Club feted the couples at her home in style.

MASS WEDDINGS IN METROPOLIS

SEVENTEEN HUMBLE couples provided an exalted symbol of the sanctity of marriage at the October 30 mass wedding at the Ark, Kingston City Mission. Thousands packed the church and surrounding streets to witness this 17-fold "marriage to make marriage popular".

The idea of Councillor Mrs Mary Morris Knibb and her Jamaica Women's Liberal Club, and succeeding revelries, the nuptials were such as few couples, even the wealthy, ever enjoy and certainly, no couple has had the rich, full-throated singing of such a strong congregation to perform its wedding hymns.

The mayor, for the City, many louncillors, clergymen of various denominations, social workers were there and besides, there were scores of people paying perhaps their first visit to Smith Village. The message of reconstruction of social life which the ceremony carried attracted all classes, and left an indelible impression on all.

It was not a fashion show, as too many weddings are. It was not a celebrated occasion; the  purpose was too reverent. It was all that it was intended to be: a simple effort to make it possible for the

poor to marry, and a plan to encourage marriage to remove the concubinal veil under which too many of our well-intentioned people live.

Dressed in their simple and cheap dresses of white, the brides were impressive in their very simplicity, an impressiveness which their number enhanced. Attired in plain but well-fitting clothing, their grooms mouthed the vows of the civil ceremony in response to Registrar Jim Russell, and many showed unusual feeling as their white-turbaned brides whispered theirs.

After a full service replete with religious exhortations, appeals to lead the lives of true citizens, praise for their good intentions and for the spirit of the sponsor, Mrs Morris Knibb, after hearing rich orchestral music, anthems and vocal solos; after an outgoing procession, which not even heavy rain could mar, the couples went to their reception.

Held at the home of Mrs Morris Knibb, the couples were toasted in brilliant surroundings. Magnificent wedding cakes of many storeys, glistening glass and silver covered the tables, and interspersed among the speeches came bright music from the band of the Alpha Cottage Boys.

After all this ceremony, with the exhortations of their patrons and friends ringing in their ears, the couples motored away to their humble abodes, never to forget the high purpose of their nuptials, never to forget the Christian spirit which had brought them all together, and intent on making their simple homes "a prelude to heaven".

HOW IT WENT

At the City Mission, the service commenced with the playing of the Bridal chorus of Wagner, during which the brides, escorted by their sponsors (members of the Jamaica Women's Liberal Club and other members of the Mass Wedding Committee), filed to their places beside their spouses.

After the singing of the hymn How Sweet The Name of Jesus Sounds, the lesson was read by Rev J. Daley. The text was from 1 Peter, Chapter 3, and its message was the duty of husbands and wives to each other: "Likewise ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands."

Rev Cowell Lloyd then addressed the couples. After paying tribute to Mrs Morris Knibb as being a woman with a fine imagination, he admonished the couples as to their future lives, giving many practical precepts for their guidance.

Declaring that it was his 23rd wedding anniversary and that he had married 1,500 couples and had never used the word 'obey'. Mr Cowell Lloyd told them he did not use the word because if the wife did not intend to obey, it was no use; and if she intended to obey, it was no use.

Finally, he appealed to them to make their homes "a prelude to heaven".

Following the anthem, How Excellent,  by the City Mission Choir, the actual wedding ceremony took place with Mr Jim Russell officiating. The 17 couples wedded were:

THE HAPPY COUPLES

Mr Clinton Bradford and Miss Lucy Facey.

Mr J. Ffrench and Miss Violet Hope.

Mr Roderick McDermot and Miss Irene Foster.

Mr Granville Slew and Miss Gladys Howell.

Mr A. Campbell and Miss I. Chambers.

Mr Frederick Hall and Miss Ethel Logan.

Mr Henry Gurrell and Miss Rosita Bogle.

Mr Uriah Henry and Miss Louise Moore.

Mr Uriah Ebanks and Miss Amy Baker.

Mr Raymond Saunders and Miss Clarabelle Roberts.

Mr Oswald Lindsay and Miss Clarabelle Newman.

Mr Ivanhoe Dalley and Miss Constansa Taylor.

Mr Ferdinand Anderson and Miss Ida Waite.

Mr Nathan Craddock and Miss Louise Praddor.

Mr Dolphus Bender and Miss Laura Thomas.

Mr Andrew McKinley and Miss Vida Freckleton.

Mr Wilbert Barclay and Miss Agne Hibbert.

Prayers were offered by the Rev Councillor E. E. McLaughlin, and an address was then given by the layor. His Worship described it as a grand ceremony and a glorious achievement and effort by Mrs Morris Knibb. He congratulated also all those who had readily given their help, and declared that he was with her one hundred per cent in the effort.

Other features of the service were an address by Rev F. Wilson Coore, a fine rendition of O Perfect Love by Miss Glenda Brown, a well-known singer, and further wedding music by the orchestra.

Among those present, in addition to those named, were Miss May Farquharson. Mrs Hope Panton, Dr A. A. Phillips. Mrs K. H. Bourne, Miss Sybil Foster Davis, Mrs Z. Gordon, Miss M. Henry, Miss A. Spencer, Madame Celeste, Madame DeMena, Mrs George Goode, and Miss Blanche Smythe.

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