Salvation Army Ketubah

[CecilW]

Found this. Thought it interesting, relevant, and perhaps helpful. Enjoy.

Notice the militancy of the first edition in comparison to the present. At which time, and with which attitude was the SA most effective? Hmmm!

For whatever it is worth, the authors of the original version, General William and Catherine Booth, founders of the SA, were engaged something like 3 or 4 years before marriage, and had a long and happy one indeed. They seem rather qualified, if anyone was, to write such a document.

Articles of Marriage for Salvationists (1882)​

1. We do solemnly declare that we have not sought this marriage for the sake of our own happiness and interests only, although we hope these will be furthered thereby; but because we believe that the union will enable us better to please and serve God, and more earnestly and successfully to fight and work in The Salvation Army.

2. We here promise that we will not allow our marriage in any way to lessen our devotion to God, our affection for our comrades, or our faithfulness in the Army.

3. We each individually promise that we will never do anything likely to prevent the other’s doing or giving or suffering anything that is in his or her power to do, give, or suffer to assist the Army; believing that in so doing we shall best promote the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

4. We also promise that we will use all our influence with each other to promote our constant and entire self-sacrifice in fighting in the ranks of the Army for the salvation of the world.

5. We also promise always to regard our home in every way as a Salvation Army Soldier’s (or Officer’s) quarters, and to arrange it accordingly, and to train all in it who may be under our influence and authority, for faithful and efficient service in the Army.

6. We promise, whether together or apart, always to do our utmost as true Soldiers of Jesus Christ to carry on and sustain the war, and never to allow the Army to be injured or hindered in any of its interests without doing our utmost to prevent it.

7. Should either of us from sickness, death or any other cause cease to be efficient soldiers, we engage that the remaining one shall continue to the best of his or her ability to fulfil all these promises.

-- Sandall, History of the Salvation Army Vol 2, 314.

Articles of Marriage for Salvationists (Current)​

We do solemnly declare that, although we enter into this marriage for reasons of personal happiness and fulfilment, we will do our utmost to ensure that our married status and relationship will deepen our commitment to God and enhance the effectiveness of our service as soldiers of Jesus Christ in The Salvation Army.

We promise to make our home a place where all shall be aware of the abiding presence of God, and where those under our influence shall be taught the truths of the gospel, encouraged to seek Christ as Saviour, and supported in the commitment of their lives to the service of God.

We declare our intention to be to each other, by the help of God, true Christian examples and, through times of joy, difficulty or loss, to encourage each other to ‘grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’.

-- The Salvation Army, Salvation Army Ceremonies, Chap 4, Sect 1, Par 11.

 

[steve]

that is a GREAT ketubah, gonna have to study it a bunch as the basis for one that is gonna need my signature.

 

[FollowingHim]

Complete opposites, amazing but not surprising. Wouldn't sign to be devoted to a denomination, but there are some great thoughts there for writing something about devotion to Christ's Church.

 

[steve]

........ Wouldn't sign to be devoted to a denomination, but there are some great thoughts there for writing something about devotion to Christ's Church.

not sure that i follow you. it is not about ones relationship to an organization but an agreement between a man and his wife-to-be. it seems to have been written to communicate the expectations that the org. has for its members.

but i may have missunderstood your point.

 

[FollowingHim]

My point is that this particular agreement between a man and his wife includes them both agreeing to be devoted to a particular Christian denomination and support it's activities. That is an entirely separate issue to marriage in my mind. Our views of Christian theology and ministry develop over our lives, and we could well end up with quite different denominational affiliations after a few years than we had when we married. Then you find you've got a marriage agreement that you no longer agree with.

Keep it simple. Marriage is between you, your wife, and your God. That's all. Anything extra just gives you stuff you might disagree with and regret later.

We'd agree marriage shouldn't add the phrase "forsaking all others", but no doubt most of us thought that was an unarguable essential when we first married. If we can even change our mind on that, and now know better, why make the same mistake again by adding other superfluous stuff?

 

[CecilW]

To me, the important considerations in the above were not the specific organization to which they are devoted, but their militancy for and commitment to God's work.

 

[FollowingHim]

And I found that very inspiring also Cecil, thankyou for posting it. Wouldn't personally put it in a ketubah, however in a different context the sentiments expressed are excellent.

 

[steve]

i read the whole thing replacing the Salvation Army with Yeshua's Army and find that i can fully commit to every point.