He…said unto them,
Matthew 19:4–5Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh.
Words: Henry J. Thompson, in Church Hymns (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1871).
Music: Edgbaston Timothy R. Matthews, 1871 (🔊 
).
If you know where to get a good photo of Thompson (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), or a better one of Matthews, would you send us an e-mail?
Christ, we come before Thee
On this happy day;
Thine all priceless blessing
Grant us now we pray;
With this Christian bridegroom,
With this Christian bride,
Be Thou ever present,
Lord, and Life, and Guide.
Thou didst take our nature,
As a bride to be,
One with Thee, O Savior,
Through eternity;
Thou didst, as a bridegroom,
Wed Thy Church; and still
She reflects Thy glory,
Loving all Thy will.
Grant to Christian bridegrooms
Such true love as Thine;
Grant to brides thus married
Like the Church to shine:
So shall life be gladness,
With Thee at their side;
All its joys and sorrows
In Thee sanctified.
For this first of blessings,
Dowry from above,
Bliss of holy marriage,
Joy of wedded love,
Father, Son and Spirit,
Unto Thee we raise,
Heart and voice uniting,
Now our thankful praise.