ABSTRACT
The World Missionary Conference of 1910 at Edinburgh reported that intervention by the Anglican Bishop of Uganda led to withdrawal of the first Ordinance proposed for the territory. The principle of legislation relating to African Christians and their marriage having been accepted by governments, it may be considered legitimate for missions to convey to the governments concerned their opinions and attitudes with regard to such legislation. Representations to Government for legal recognition of the blessing on a customary marriage were refused, and the reason for maintaining the Ordinance was stated by Government to be the necessity for safeguarding the women. Mission attitudes towards marriage legislation by governments depend to a large extent upon their doctrines concerning marriage. The majority opinion of missions in Nyasaland is in favour of obtaining legal status for the marriage of Christians. Missions increasingly desire the registration of all native marriages especially as a proof of marriage.
