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royal families of Europe would be ready to welcome such an arrangement. The Prince had free access to all their courts, and he has visited and been royally entertained at most. But the choice of a partner to share his present joys and probable future throne, is one involving such personal and public responsibilities that especial grace and wisdom were needed to determine it. These we would fain hope that the Prince received; that the prayers of his Royal Mother and of the many who look forward to the future of England's welfare, were answered; that it was from no momentary feeling or sudden impulse of passion that the choice was made, nor yet from the desire of possessing the sooner a more elevated position in the nation; but that it sprung from affection, guided by Christian judgment,-from a conviction that God's honour and a nation's interests are connected with it. And so, whilst personal happiness and the feelings of reciprocated love originated the compact; whilst God's honour and a people's welfare were felt to be bound up with it, we may fondly anticipate that God's blessing and the record of the future will ratify and confirm the same.

It were a great and happy thing indeed did a spirit such as this animate every human choice in life. Many of the evils under which mankind are groaning spring from ill-advised and ill-assorted marriages. The future husband has seen or heard but little of his future wife; the future wife as little of her future husband. Character and previous education, the principle of yielding sympathy, and, above all, the presence of God's grace-these are too often sacrificed upon the altar of human passion, and outward attractions and temporal advantage are made the arbiters of the choice. And then, upon other subjects and in other circumstances, when other and higher interests are at stake, how terrible may be the consequences of mistaken judgment, how momentous the issues of a hasty and misguided choice! Just as at sea the vessel may be wrecked, because the captain relies simply upon his own sagacity, and will not consult the chart he carries; so many a voyager in life makes shipwreck of his future hopes, because he is swayed by some sudden impulse rather than by the counsels of God's truth.

But the Prince has chosen one who promises all we could desire. The Princess who has landed on our shores is a Protestant by faith - Christian by birth-with mental endowments, and youth and beauty on her side. Who more fit to have won a Prince's heart? Who more welcome to an English home?

We bear grateful witness, then, to the Prince's choice. We are glad to honour and approve it. The joyous scene which yesterday met the eye-the waving banners, the gay devices-was not more joyous than the hearts of those then present; and many, we trust, were thankful as well as joyous too-thankful to Him who, in His Providence, arranged this early union-thankful to Him who has so long provided for England's welfare-thankful to Him who, whilst he holds the hearts of kings and princes in his hands, and turneth them as it seemeth best to His godly wisdom, yet ministers to the humblest and feeblest of His subjects, guides and counsels, blesses and cares for all.

2. But, besides being grateful witnesses of the choice the Prince has made, the people are hopeful witnesses of it also.

The selection is one which contains a pledge or promise. The marriage of the Prince takes place, as far as can be arranged, in the sight of all England. Although the whole people cannot be present at the ceremony, yet yesterday's procession of the bridegroom, in company with the bride, was as the marriage ceremony to them. And what did the whole scene imply? What pledge or promise did it contain? The same as that made at the altar in the sacred compact itself-affection, fidelity, honour, protection. There is affection for the bride of his choice, and affection to the land of his birth; fidelity to his plighted vows; fidelity to those who hail him as their future king; honour to her who has entrusted her heart, her all, to him; honour to his nation's interests, as bound up with his. And, lastly, there is a pledge of that protection, that care and anxious ministry of love which it was his father's happiness to give the Queen and these tend also to the best interests of a peoplethese are the realized expectations they in prospect view.

The people, then, are hopeful witnesses of the Prince's choice. Hope, as a bright star, hovers in the horizon of the future. They expect soon to see him a loving husband, and still a loving son, and his wife no more a stranger, but a daughter in England's home.

And why ought not a spirit of hopeful thankfulness to animate us at all times? It is as good and pleasant a thing to be hopeful as to be thankful. Hope is the offspring of genuine faith and trust. It is half the secret of success and blessing. With regard to some events in life, there may be much to kindle anxiety and fear; and this humble posture of the heart is most useful in driving us to Him who alone can inspire true hope. But a constant spirit of distrust -a spirit which is always arousing suspicions and doubts-this is not the spirit of Christ, nor of that charity which hopeth as well as believeth all things.

Too often are young hearts saddened by the dark clouds of evil omen, raised by well-meaning friends. Too often are their prospects blighted by such unwise intrusions. Yea, even in the after life of the Christian, who has made his choice for God, the want of encouraging and hopeful words of counsel, when that choice is made, has weakened much of future happiness and joy in God—has damped the ardour of the heart's first love. Religion's ways, from beginning to end, are ways of pleasantness and paths of peace. Full soon

will the trials and experience of Christian life bring their sufficient tide of sorrow. Full soon does the contest with our spiritual foes quiet enthusiasm, whilst it strengthens hope. But no one ought rashly to check the ardour of the young recruit before the battle. No one ought to prophesy the vessel's wreck before he has seen her launched and put to sea. "Rejoicing in hope," is the Christian's duty, as it is the nation's at the present time. And the God of hope will then cause His best blessings to descend. And happy will be the people who are in such a case; yea, blessed indeed the people who have the Lord for their God.

II. The people blessing.

The application of this second division of the text contains-
First, a blessing for the Princess.

Secondly, a blessing for the Prince.

And the people and elders said unto Boaz: "The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem."

1. The blessing for the Princess, that she may possess all

domestic virtues, and receive the constant esteem and affection of her husband.

The two mothers of ancient history here alluded to were possessed of both these advantages. The combined characters of Rachel and Leah are those we should wish for every Christian wife. They seem to have been the Martha and Mary of Old Testament historyLeah, the manager, and withal affectionate; Rachel, the one with that deep trust and entire devotion which forms the foundation of married happiness. And then Jacob was an attached and devoted husband also. All the home sympathies and domestic affections dwelt largely in him. He was fond of his wife, of his children, and of his home. If he were at any time, as some have thought, unwisely partial to two of his children, that partiality arose from his jealousy and honour for his God. But with regard to Rachel and Leah, he displayed all the attachment of a loving husband, all the affection of a Christian man. And these are the blessings the nation trusts that the Princess will enjoy. These form part of the prayer which the heart's tribute of yesterday sent up to heaven. Every cheer and every welcome, every "tender and tear-dropped eye," bespoke the feeling and inward blessing of the people. And favoured, indeed, was this child of Denmark to receive such tribute. Few could be so privileged or so blest. Her path is now open for gaining the world's esteem. Her career has already commenced with a bright lustre of hope and promise. And just as Victoria, our beloved Queen, has earned an almost universal fame for domestic piety-just as she has arranged a model household and a model court-so do the people pray that Alexandra, our future Queen, may emulate and copy her example, and become another pattern for an English wife. Such are the fond hopes of the British nation at this time; such form some of the best blessings they desire, both for the Princess and the Prince. May the Lord," they would say to the latter, "make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah! May the Lord bestow like grace upon her as He has upon our Queen! May the Lord furnish her with wisdom and heavenly gifts, to make thy home a home of happiness! And, above all, may the Lord unite for ever both your hearts to Christ, that He may be the heart's true Spouse and Husband! And then, when all human attachments are for a time severed, when the bridal-day and home on earth have served their purpose, the true Bridegroom who comes for His bride, the Church, shall take you both to follow in His bridal-train; and, through grace, you also shall enter in, and feast at the marriage supper of the Lamb."

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2. But, lastly, the people have a further wish and blessing for their Prince. His future life is now more especially to be a public one. He takes a part henceforth in the counsels of the nation. His influence at court, in parliament, in private, will be most potent for good or evil. Noble and princely actions leading to a good and righteous name-these are to be expected from him. Godly, royal, and holy deeds-these become his rank and station. To "do worthily," and to "be famous"-these are part of the people's blessing. The histories of all ages show that princes and even kings can do foolish as well as righteous deeds. Absalom can rise up in rebellion against his parent, and meet an untimely death. Rehoboam can take the advice of young men, and forfeit more than half his kingdom. There is no limit to the misery an unwise course may meet with, whilst there is every prospect of blessing to the well-chosen and rightly-guided. That the evils just mentioned may never come upon our Prince and future King, every heart must desire. That he may "do worthily," and "be famous" in all good things, this must be our constant prayer. But we must remember that we are living in days when the advice of older heads is neglected, and when even the living oracles of God are treated with irreverence. We are living in days when freedom of thought and independency of action step beyond their proper limits. All that is grand and venerable; all that has been subjected to the test of holy experience, and sealed by the blood of martyrs, is now torn down by rude unholy hands, and trampled under the proud heel of modern cunning. The fount from which our fathers drank and quenched their thirst is now poisoned by the doubts of scepticism. The light at which they lit their torch of piety and usefulness is now obscured by the darkness of self-supposed unerring wisdom. That our Prince may be preserved from such vain sentiments and theories, a Christian people should heartily and sincerely pray. That he may "do worthily," by his reverence for God's Word, as did the youthful Edward and good king Josiah, this should be their first petition; and that by grace he may soon be led to make a still more full avowal of his hope and trust in it, so that he may be numbered amongst the true worthies, and famous in Christian Israel, this should form our heartiest prayer of blessing. And then, when in the course of God's providence he is called to sit upon England's throne, may religion take as high, if not a higher standard, in the actions of our councillors and kings as heretofore, and the Prince himself, when his work on earth is done, be called to join the princes and kings of the heavenly Jerusalem and Church above his position, one of everlasting fame, a prince now on earth, a king then in heaven; with a people's affection here, with the eternal love and favour of God in Christ for ever.

In conclusion, what lessons should we each learn from a subject such as this? The people have been both to witness and to bless the Princess and the Prince. They have approved the choice; they are hopeful for the future. We too, whether we be peasants, peers, or princes, have the eye of the people resting upon us. They note each choice in life we make; and-far gone and evil as human nature

is the people are mostly willing to bless a godly and righteous one. Though moving in the dark valley of sin and spiritual ignorance themselves, they still look up to and admire those who are on the sun-lit hills, who bask in the sunshine and favour of heaven, But are they approvers of our choice? Are they convinced that our Christianity is not a name and form alone, but a blessed and experienced joy and truth? Are they conscious that our heart's best affections are given to Christ-that He is the object of our desire-the chief amongst ten thousand, and altogether lovely? They too often find the Christian as one of themselves. They too often see him just as eager after this world's pleasures, pomps, or prizes; and so they think sometimes that religion is but a respectable deception, and not the living blessing and comfort and hope it is. But then the cloud of heavenly witnesses are regarding you and me, and each one in this assembly. They who made their choice on earth, and fought the fight, ran the race, and kept the faith-they are anxious that we should be successful also-that our future on earth should be one of blessing unto others-that we should be like the sun, when he goeth forth in his strength, by love and good works, through grace, shining "more and more unto the perfect day."

But, brethren, have you made this decision for God? Is your heart betrothed unto the Saviour? Is the Lord Jesus all your salvation, and all your desire? If not, who can or will approve your choice? All men, indeed, note it. Heaven's witnesses note it. God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit note it. But can they bless it? Can they regard you hopefully and thankfully, when you are still a worldling, still unaffianced, and unallied to Christ?

Brethren, let one fail to make this season of rejoicing one of reflection also. Let each one, when he lifts up a prayer and blessing for the Prince and Princess, ascertain whether his prayer and blessing will be accepted-whether it can be accepted, if the soul itself has not accepted Christ. There is a glorious Bridal-time yet to come. There is to be a procession, a welcome, a joyous throng, ten thousand times ten thousand more glorious than that just past. The Prince of the kings of the earth-the more than Prince-the King of kings, and Lord of lords, comes forth as the Church's Bridegroom to take His bride. Glorious angels will attend His train. Cherubim and Seraphim will sing His praises. All nations will then be gathered together. The earthly peer and the earthly poor, the heavenly noble and the princely vile-all in one vast throng, will hear the summons, "The Bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet Him." But, brethren, where shall you and I be in that vast throng? Shall we be ready to witness with joy, and bless with everlasting praise? The herald-angels are to go forth to call the chosen to the marriage feast. The destroying angels are to go forth to drag the wicked under Christ's chariot-wheels. Shall we be numbered then amongst "the chosen" or "the wicked,"-amongst "the saved" or "the lost"? Let the decision for Christ be made at once; and then, when the summons meets our ears it will reach them with gladness! Whether we sleep in dust or are alive on

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