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, Till autumn fades in welcoming "Thine, Thine for ever" - body, soul, Henceforth devote to thee, While everlasting ages roll: Amen, so let it be. X. REST IN THE LORD: MARRIAGE HYMN. "Rest in the Lord.". · Ps. xxxvii. 7. REST in the Lord - from harps above The music seems to thrill Rest in His everlasting love, Rest and be still. Rest 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 here Is standing by your side, And in this union draws more near Rest in the Lord thrice Holy Dove, In us Thy word fulfil Rest in His everlasting love, Rest and be still. XI. THE MARRIAGE BENEDICTION. "Being heirs together of the grace of life." — 1 PET. iii. 7. [To be sung after the blessing, "Almighty God, who at the beginning did create our first parents," &c.] ERE the words of peace and love, 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. 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; Angel steps to tend the way 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; Knitting all that world to this, Eden's bloom to glory's bliss: Co-Eternal Three in One, Seal the nuptial benison. Three in One, and One in Three, Blessedness is blessing Thee; |