995

1

FOR VARIOUS OCCASIONS.

For a Wedding.

SAVIOUR, let thy sanction rest

On the

now; Be it with thy presence blessed, Ratify the nuptial vow: Hallowed let this union be, With each other, and with thee. 2 Thou in Cana didst appear

At a marriage- feast like this; Deign to meet us, Saviour, here, Fountain of unmingled bliss! Crown with joy this festive board, Joy that earth cannot afford. 3 We no miracle require,

Turning water into wine; All our panting hearts desire Is to taste thy love divine: Holy influence from above, Consecrating earthly love.

4 Let the path our friends pursue, From this hour together trod, Many though its days, or few,

Be a pilgrimage to God; To the land where rest is given, To thy house, O Lord, in heaven.

996

76,76.

1 THE voice that breathed o'er Eden,

THE That earliest wedding- day,

The primal marriage blessing, It hath not passed away.

2 Still in the pure espousal Of Christian man and maid, The Holy Three are with us, The threefold grace is said,

6-7 s.

8 For dower of blessed children, For love and faith's sweet sake, For high mysterious union, Which nought on earth may break.

4 Be present, awful Father, To give away this bride, As Eve thou gav'st to Adam Out of his own pierced side.

5 Be present. gracious Saviour. To join their loving hands. As thou didst bind two natures In thine eternal bands.

6 Be present, Holiest Spirit,

To bless them as they kneel,

As thou for Christ the Bridegroom The heavenly spouse dost seal. 70 spread thy pure wings o'er them!

Let no ill power find place, When onward to thine altar The hallowed path they trace,

8 To cast their crowns before thee, In perfect sacrifice,

Till to the home of gladness With Christ's own bride they rise! ( See also Hymns 510 and 514.)

2 To God, most worthy to be praised, Be our domestic altars raised;

Who, Lord of heaven, yet deigns to come, And sanctify our humblest home. 3 To thee may each united house Morning and night present its vows; Our servants there, and rising race, Be taught thy precepts, and thy grace. 4 So may each future age proclaim The honours of thy glorious name: And each succeeding race remove To join the family above.

997 FATHER of all, thy care we bless,

Family Religion.

L. M.

Which crowns our families with peace: From thee they spring: and by thy hand They are, and shall be still sustained.

H 2

998

C. M.

After a Journey.

1 HOU, Lord, hast blest my going out. TH bless my coming in!

Compass my weakness round about, And keep me safe from sin.

2 Still hide me in thy secret place, Thy tabernacle spread;

Shelter me with preserving grace, And screen my naked head.

3 To thee for refuge may I run From sin's alluring snare; Ready its first approach to shun, And watching un prayer.

4 O that I never, never more

Might from thy ways depart!

Here let me give my wanderings o'er, By giving thee my heart.

5 Fix my new heart on things above,

And then from earth release;

I ask not life, but let me love, And lay me down in peace.

999

On going on Shipboard.

Guide us through the watery way: In the hollow of thy hand Hide, and bring us safe to land.

7 s. 1

2 Jesus, let our faithful mind Rest, on thee alone reclined; Every anxious thought repress, Keep our souls in perfect peace.

3 Keep the souls whom now we leave, Bid them to each other cleave; Bid them walk on life's rough sea; Bid them come by faith to thee

4 Save, till all these tempests end, All who on thy love depend; Waft our happy spirits o'er: Land us on the heavenly shore.

7s& 6s t.

¹ grace,

ORD of earth, and air, and sea,

1000

Under thy protection, we

Our souls and bodies place. Bold an unknown land to try, We launch into the foaming deep: Rocks, and storms, and deaths defy, With Jesus in the ship.

2 Who the calm can understand

In a believer's breast?

In the hollow of his hand

Our souls securely rest:

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