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Show Civil and Religious Marriages. Today marriage is a civil contract in Catholic as well as Protestant countries. Tho United States and Frnnce, slnco tho revolution, freely rccognlzo this fact. Marriage Is legally binding, If performed nccord-Ing nccord-Ing to tho laws of tho land, without nny Intervention of tho church. This result was Incvltablo because of tho personal nnd property rights Involved which belonged properly to tho Jurl-diction Jurl-diction of tho Btate. Tho church, both Catholic nnd Protestant, retains however, Its ancient privileges ot ceremonial over Its members, and this nccords with popular prejudlco, which likes to regard marriage ns a sacrament, nnd which sees tho advantage ad-vantage of giving tho ceremony tho greatest posslblo publicity and solemn sanction. Rochester Democrat nnd I Chronicle. |