What does it mean to sanctify a marriage?

In all ages of the civilised world, the marriage―or union of a man and woman has been observed, as a time of joy and rejoicing and worship and praise to the great Father of All has been one of the accompanying ceremonies. 

The reason is obvious and beautifully appropriate. 

God―the First Cause of All―the Father and Mother of every living thing―is, in this union, more truly typified than in any other event on our mundane sphere. 

And the marriage is more sanctified and hallowed, when His presence and His goodness is recognised and invoked to bless these earthly types of Him, that they, like Him in their sphere, may fructify and replenish the earth with new recipients of His bounty and untiring love. 

No one who thinks rightly on this subject can wish the marriage ceremony omitted. 

No right-feeling man―or woman would be contented in such an unblessed, unsanctified state. 

To me, my friends, it appears the most solemn―the most important―both to yourselves and your unborn children, and if rightly entered upon, the most joyful ceremony that can be performed upon your sphere. 

And while we would have no oaths―no bonds of man's devising to cement it―we would have it observed with all dignified solemnity. 

The prayers and good wishes of the assembled friends should bless the day, and the Holy Spirit of God be called down to sanctify and purify the newly-married ones, for the journey of life that is before them.

The day should be one to be remembered by the parties in a reverent manner and they must feel that they have undertaken responsibilities, which they cannot, and would not lay aside. 

There being no oath―or law to bind them must make no difference to them in this matter―

They have a moral law in their own souls, and by that they must stand.

In the early stages of this reform movement, parties may find that they have been mistaken, in the choice they have made, and when this is the case, let them examine themselves carefully before they make known their difficulties, and when they are convinced that they are unconquerable, quietly and decently separate before children who may be tainted with their parents' discordant feelings are born to them. 

It can only be for a short time that such ruptures of the marriage-tie will occur, for as men and women develop and assume their true position, they will be more particular and more clear-sighted in this, as in everything else, and will know by intuitive perceptions who is their true affinity.

We would show you that there is no union so blessed and hallowed by God, as the married one, and of what importance it is for each one who thinks of entering into it to examine thoroughly and ascertain to his―or her satisfaction that the party selected is the one intended for them―

That they are truly congenial, and that they love them with an undying and well-founded affection that can never know change. 

Then there will be no cause of fear for the results―

They are sure to prove happy ones. 

Worldly trials and cares may sometimes darken over their peaceful lives, but sustained by a love, such as I have been picturing to you, they cannot injure their permanent and well-grounded felicity.

―Mary Magdalene in Spirit