in a family, and, when weaned, were given away like puppies,” says the famous Dr. Belknap.  But after the Act of 1705; “their banns were published like those of white persons;” and public sentiment began to undergo a change on the subject.  The following Negro marriage was prepared by the Rev. Samuel Phillips of Andover.  His ministry did not commence until 1710; and, therefore, this marriage was prepared subsequent to that date.  He realized the need of something, and acted accordingly.

     “You, Bob, do now, in ye Presence of God and these
     Witnesses, Take Sally to be your wife;

“Promising, that so far as shall be consistent with ye Relation which you now Sustain as a servant, you will Perform ye Part of an Husband towards her:  And in particular, as you shall have ye Opportunity & Ability, you will take proper Care of her in Sickness and Health, in Prosperity & Adversity;

“And that you will be True & Faithful to her, and will Cleave to her only, so long as God, in his Providence, shall continue your and her abode in Such Place (or Places) as that you can conveniently come together.—­Do You thus Promise?

     “You, Sally, do now, in ye Presence of God, and these
     Witnesses, Take Bob to be your Husband;

     “Promising, that so far as your present Relation as a
     Servant shall admit, you will Perform the Part of a Wife
     towards him:  and in particular,

     “You Promise that you will Love him; And that as you shall
     have the Opportunity & Ability, you will take a proper Care
     of him in Sickness and Health; in Prosperity and Adversity: 

“And you will cleave to him only, so long as God, in his Providence, shall continue his & your Abode in such Place (or Places) as that you can come together.—­Do you thus Promise?  I then, agreeable to your Request, and with ye Consent of your Masters & Mistresses, do Declare that you have License given you to be conversant and familiar together as Husband and Wife, so long as God shall continue your Places of Abode as aforesaid; And so long as you Shall behave yourselves as it becometh servants to doe: 

“For you must both of you bear in mind that you remain still, as really and truly as ever, your Master’s Property, and therefore it will be justly expected, both by God and Man, that you behave and conduct yourselves as Obedient and faithful Servants towards your respective Masters & Mistresses for the Time being: 

“And finally, I exhort and Charge you to beware lest you give place to the Devil, so as to take occasion from the license now given you, to be lifted up with Pride, and thereby fall under the Displeasure, not of Man only, but of God also; for it is written, that God resisteth the Proud but giveth Grace to the humble.

“I shall now conclude with Prayer for you, that you may become good Christians,