7 6, 7 6.

1 THE voice that breathed o'er Eden!
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,

3 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.

7 O 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!


This document (last modified July 18, 1995) from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library server, at @Wheaton College