The Outer Isles Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, convened this 22nd day of April, 1958, in Stornoway Church, view with profound grief and alarm, the wild, but all too common festivities following upon the solemnisation of the marriage ceremony within their bounds. We emphatically condemn the practise of drunkenness and dancing generally associated with the wedding celebrations, and are determined to do our utmost to bring to a speedy end all such unseemly and un-Christian conduct. Should members in full communion be involved, either by way of preparation or accommodation, the sessions concerned are reminded to have no hesitation in taking disciplinary action.
We, therefore, appeal to all our people, but especially to those more immediately concerned, to do all that they can to eradicate such evils which are like plague spots in our social life. Time honoured and hoary with age as such traditions may be, they are undoubtedly accursed of God. Apart from the baneful and hardening effects of such orgies, upon the bodies and souls of young and old, they are dishonouring to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and are bound to wring judgments temporal and spiritual from the hand of God.
In view of these facts then, it is with feelings of no ordinary interest, that we make this appeal to our people, endeavouring to awaken their sympathies, and direct their efforts. The Presbytery desire that our people comply with the following regulations in connection with marriage festivities:—
1. That no young person under the age of 17 years be given or offered alcoholic drinks.
2. That parties concerned use their civil and private rights to prevent drunkenness within their premises.
3. That old and young enjoy themselves without having recourse to drunkenness, which destroys any feeling of shame, stupifies the senses, shamefully degrades men and women, and gives rise to filthy jesting and gestures.
4. That they do not have recourse to promiscuous dancing, so well fitted to enflame and set ablaze unholy and unclean passions.
5. That ministers make it their business to enquire beforehand regarding the conduct which is to follow the wedding ceremony, before they consent to perform the marriage.
F. MACDONALD, Pres. Clerk.