re sung at weddings, though in America the
practice was never universal. Marriage, among Protestants, is not one of
the sacraments, and no masses are chanted for it by ecclesiastical
ordinance. The question of music at private marriages depends on
convenience, vocal or instrumental equipment, and the general drift of
the occasion. At public weddings the organ's duty is the "Wedding
March."

To revive a fashion of singing at home marriages would be considered an
oddity--and, where civil marriages are legal, a superfluity--but in the
religious ceremony, just after the prayer that follows the completion of
the nuptial formula, it will occur to some that a hymn would "tide over"
a proverbially awkward moment. Even good, quaint old John Berridge's
lines would happily relieve the embarrassment--besides reminding the
more thoughtless that a wedding is not a mere piece of social fun--

Since Jesus truly did appear
To grace a marriage feast
O Lord, we ask Thy presence here
To make a wedding guest.

Upon the bridal pair look down
Who now have plighted hands;
Their union with Thy favor crown
And bless the nuptial bands

* * * * *

In purest love these souls unite
That they with Christian care
May make domestic burdens light
By taking each a share.

Tune, "Lanesboro," Mason.

A wedding hymn of more poetic beauty is the one written by Miss Dorothy
Bloomfield (now Mrs. Gurney), born 1858, for her sister's marriage in
1883.

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
Lowly we kneel in prayer before Thy throne
That their's may be a love which knows no ending
Whom Thou forevermore dost join in one.

O perfect Life, be Thou their first assurance
Of tender charity and steadfast faith,
Of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust that fears nor pain nor death.

Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow,
Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
And to their day the glorious unknown morrow
That dawns upon eternal love and life.

Tune by Joseph Barnby, "O Perfect Love."

_FRUITION DAY._

"LO! HE COMES WITH CLOUDS DESCENDING."

Thomas Olivers begins one of his hymns with this line. The hymn is a
Judgment-day lyric of rude strength and once in current use, but now
rarely printed. The "Lo He Comes," here specially noted, is