HOLY MATRIMONY.

Let the sevenfold Gift be shed Largely on each bending head. So, with strength renew'd to- day, Send us forth on life's rough way; Bound to Thee by love's strong cords, Living, dying, still our Lord's. Amen.

519

JESUS, I have promised To serve Thee to the end; Be Thou for ever near me, My Master and my Friend; shall not fear the battle

if Thou art by my side ,, For wander from the pathway If Thou wilt be my Guide. Oh let me feel Thee near me: The world is ever near; I see the sights that dazzle, The tempting sounds I hear; My foes are ever near me,

Around me and within; But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer, And shield my soul from sin. Oh let me hear Thee speaking In accents clear and still, Above the storms of passion, The murmurs of self- will; Oh speak to re- assure me, To hasten, or control; Oh speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul. 0 Jesus, Thou hast promised To all who follow Thee, That where Thou art in glory There shall Thy servant be; And, Jesus, I have promised To serve Thee to the end! Oh give me grace to follow, My Master and my Friend. Oh let me see Thy footmarks And in them plant mine own: My hope to follow duly

Is in Thy strength alone. Oh guide me, call me, draw me, Uphold me to the end; And then in heaven receive me, My Saviour and my Friend.

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When Satan flings his fiery darta 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. Amen.

521 AWAKE, my soul, stretch every

nerve,

And press with vigour on: A heavenly race demands thy zesa.. And an immortal crown. A cloud of witnesses around Hold thee in full survey: Forget the steps already trod, And onward urge thy way. Tis God's all- animating voice That calls thee from on high; ' Tis His own hand presents the prize To thine aspiring eye.

Amen.

[" Defend, O Lord, this Thy child with Thy heavenly grace, that he may continue Thine for ever,"& c.] 520" THINE- Thine for ever"­

blessèd bond

That knits us, Lord, to Thee:[ spond May voice, and heart, and soul re­Amen, 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.

Blest Saviour, introduced by Thee, Have I my race begun;

And crown'd with victory, at Thy feet I'll lay my honours down. Amen.

Holy Matrimong. 522 THE voice that breathed o'er

Eden.

That earliest wedding day, The primal marriage blessing, It hath not pass'd away. Still in the pure espousal

Of Christian 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, Heavenly Father, To give away this bride, As Eve Thou gav'st to Adam Out of his own pierc side. Be present here, Emmanuel, As Thou didst bind two natures To join their loving hands, 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. Oh spread Thy pure wing o'er them, Thy overshadowing love, While one in Thee for ever

They seek Thy rest above;

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