MARRIAGE.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.—Genesis, ii. 24.
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
And both Jesus was called, and his disciples to the marriage.—John, ii. 1, 2.
Marriage is honourable in all.—Hebrews, xiii. 4.
Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.—Revelations, xix. 9.
Save the love we pay
To Heaven, none purer, holier than that
A virtuous woman feels, for him she’d cleave
Thro’ life to. Sisters part from sisters—brothers
From brothers—children from their parents—but
Such woman from the husband of her choice,
Never.
Sheridan Knowles.
Joy, serious and sublime,
Such as doth nerve the energies of prayer,
Should swell the bosom, when a maiden’s hand,
Filled with life’s dewy flowerets, girdeth on
That harness which the ministry of death
Alone unlooseth, but whose fearful power
May stamp the sentence of Eternity.
Mrs. Sigourney.
Look down, O Thou
Who wast at Cana! Bless the rite that’s past!
Help me to put a wedding-garment on
For the great marriage supper; and to wear
Thy choice of ornaments, while I await
The coming of the Bridegroom.
Hannah F. Gould.
There are smiles and tears in that gathering band,
Where the heart is pledged with the trembling hand.
What trying thoughts in the bosom swell,
As the bride bids parents and home farewell!
Kneel down by the side of the tearful fair,
And strengthen the perilous hour with prayer.
Henry Ware, Jun.