434

THE

The Primal Marriage.

'HE voice that breathed o'er Eden,
That earliest wedding day,

The primal marriage blessing,
It hath not passed away:
Still in the pure espousal

Of Christian man and maid,
The Holy Three are with us,
The threefold prayer is said.
For dower of blessed children,
For love and faith's sweet sake,
For high mysterious union

Which nought on earth may break,
Be present, awful Father,

To give away this bride,
As Eve Thou gav'st to Adam
From out his pierced side.

Be present, Son of Mary,
To join their loving hands,
As Thou didst bind two natures
In Thine eternal bands;

Be present, Holiest Spirit,
To bless them as they kneel,
As Thou for Christ, the Bridegroom,
The heavenly Spouse dost seal.

O spread Thy pure wing o'er them;
Let no ill power have place,
When onward to Thine altar
The hallowed path they trace,

D.76.

435

To cast their crowns before Thee
In perfect sacrifice,
Till to the home of gladness

With Christ's own Bride they rise.

How

+ Marriage in Cana.

OW welcome was the call,
And sweet the festal lay,

When Jesus deigned in Cana's hall
To bless the marriage day!
And happy was the bride,

And glad the bridegroom's heart;
For He who tarried at their side
Bade grief and ill depart.

His gracious power divine
The water vessels knew ;
And plenteous was the mystic wine
The wondering servants drew.
O Lord of life and love!
Come Thou again to-day ;
And bring a blessing from above,
That ne'er shall pass away.

Bless, as Thou didst of old,
The bridegroom and the bride;
Bless with the holier stream that flowed
Forth from Thy pierced side.
Before Thine altar-throne
This mercy we implore;

As Thou dost knit them, Lord, in one,

So bless them evermore.

D.S.M.

Amen.

436

AM

Wedded Love.

MID the bowers of paradise
Had wedded love its birth;

And still it lives, and sweetly blooms
Despite the thorns of earth.

It lives; and, with an influence blest
Beyond our thought to sound,
Makes many a spot a garden yet,
That else were desert ground.

But frail through all and delicate,
It needs that gentlest air

C.M.

Around it breathe; for chills and storms
Soon spoil its beauty rare.

O happy, who have learnt its worth;
Who feel its power to bless;
And guard it well, and cherish it
With wakeful tenderness!

For them 'twill ever lovelier grow,

And sweetly yield its best;
An emblem of yet holier love,
A union yet more blest.

O Husband of Thy cherished Church!
Thy choicest blessings pour

Upon this bridegroom and this bride
Now and for evermore.

437

Sovereign and People.

Coronation Day, or First Sunday after. L.M. REAT King of kings, in mercy bless

The sovereign of our favoured land; Clothe her with robes of righteousness, And guard and guide with loving Hand. Mid all the cares of royal state,

Vouchsafe to her the peace divine Of those who love on Thee to wait,

Their strength know weak, and rest on Thine.

In all her joys, and, O our God!

May these be countless, pure, and high!
Give her their Source to mark and laud,
And sweetly feel that Source is nigh.
Her Throne keep strong by circling love;
With truth and peace her kingdom bless;
Her people teach to prize above

All else the wealth of righteousness.

Then, good and glorious King of kings,
When comes Thine own well-chosen time,
May she, may all, on raptured wings
Ascend to crowns and joys sublime !

Friendly Societies, etc.

438

Praise for Success.

PRAISE our God to-day,
His constant mercy bless,

Whose love hath helped us on our way,
And granted us success.

His

His arm the strength imparts
Our daily toil to bear ;

grace alone inspires our hearts
Each other's load to share.

O happiest work below,
Earnest of joy above,

To sweeten many a cup of woe
By deeds of holy love!

Lord, may it be our choice
This blessed rule to keep;
Rejoice with them that do rejoice,
And weep with them that weep.

God of the widow, hear;
Our work of mercy bless:
God of the fatherless, be near,
And grant us still success.

E E

L.M.