MATRIMONY.
Tis God's all- animating voice That calls thee from on high; " Tis his own hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye. Blest Saviour, introduced by thee, Have I my race begun; And crown'd with victory, at thy feet I'll lay my honours down.( e)
[ To be sung after the benedictory prayer," Defend, O Lord, this thy servant with thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine for ever,"& c.] 453" THINE- thine for ever"
blessed bond
That knits us, Lord, to thee:
May voice, and heart, and soul respond Amen, so let it be.
When this world strikes its dulcet harp, And earth our heaven appears, Be" Thine for ever," clear and sharp, God's trumpet in our ears. When sin in pleasure's soft disguise Would work us deadliest harm, May" Thine for ever" from the skies Steal down, and break the charm. When Satan flings his fiery darts Against our weary shield, May" Thine for ever" in our hearts Forbid us faint or yield.
Thine all along the flowery spring, Along the summer prime,
Till autumn fades in welcoming The silver frost of time.
" Thine, thine for ever,"- body, soul, Henceforth devote to thee, While everlasting ages roll: Amen, so let it be.( c)
O spread thy pure wing o'er them, Let no ill power find place, When onward to thine altar
The hallow'd path they trace, To cast their crowns before thee In perfect sacrifice,
Till to the home of gladness
With Christ's own bride they rise.()
455 REST in the Lord- from harps
above
The music seems to thrillRest in his everlasting love, Rest and be still.
Reet thou, who claimest for thine own Thy chosen bride to- day, Affianced in his faith alone
Thy bride for aye. And thou, whose trustful hand is given Avouching here thy spouse, Rest, for a Father seals in heaven His children's vows.
Rest ye, who cluster round them both To mingle praise and prayers; Your God affirms the plighted troth, Your God and theirs.
Rest, for the Heavenly Bridegroom hers Is standing by your side,
And in this union draws more near His mystic bride.
Rest in the Lord- thrice Holy Dove, In us thy word fulfilRest in his everlasting love,
Rest and be still.( u)
[ To be sung after the blessing," Almighty God, who at the beginning did create our first parents,"& c.]
Matrimony.
456 ERE the words of peace and
454 THE voice that breathed o'er Breathed on earth are borne above,
Eden, That earliest wedding day, The primal marriage blessing, It hath not pass'd away. Still in the pure espousal
While their echo, soft and clear, Lingers on the trancèd ear ,Catch upon your lips the strain, Swell the notes of prayer again, Prayer with benedictions fraught, Passing words and passing thought: Co- eternal Three in One, Seal the nuptial benison.
Of Christían man and maid, The Holy Three are with us,
The threefold grace is said: For dower of blessèd 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 Out of his own pierced side. Be present, gracious Saviour, 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.
Blessings from the earth beneath, Fruits and flowers in woven wreath; Balmy dews that heaven distils On the everlasting hills; Angel wings, a guard of light O'er the peaceful home by night; Angels' steps to tend the way Onward, heavenward, day by day: Co- eternal Three in One, Seal the nuptial benison. Hear our prayer: this union be Ratified, O God, by thee; This another link entwined Hearts and homes and heaven to bind In that mystic chain of love, Holding us, but held above; H2