PRINCE OF MARTYRS

Shadows and types are done away,
The temple’s veil is rent in twain:
Vanish, ye emblematic rites,
The real victim now is slain;
Is slain for sinners to atone,
The priest and sacrifice in one.

Methinks I see the purpled earth,
Startle to feel its Maker’s blood;
The sun retires, and from their graves,
Saints rise to hail their dying Lord:
Each sympathizing rock appears
More tender than his murderers.

And did the Saviour thus exchange
His throne of glory for a cross?
Left He for this th’ ethereal court,
To die a painful death for us?
For us He bled at ev’ry vein,
And, slain by man, for man was slain.

Obdurate heart, shall mountains heave,
And nature mourn her best belov’d,
Shall the rocks tremble at His voice,
And I alone abide unmov’d!
Shall I not weep His death to see,
Who wept in tears of blood for me?

O Prince of martyrs, touch my heart,
There at Thy mighty standard rest;
Burn purifying incense there,
Fit it for so divine a guest:
There let Thy pow’rful cross reside,
‘Till ev’ry lust is crucified.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

A. How were the marriages performed in biblical times? Was it a ceremony such as we have now, with a priest or judge performing the marriage?

B. If not, do you know the history of our ceremonies? Is it necessary that we marry as we do?

Answer A. Here we have two questions about marriage from one person. First then, how did marriages take place in olden days? To this I would answer, In many respects very differently from today. Generally the parents made the decisions regarding the marriage of their children, without taking into account the affections of the future couple. (Genesis 21:21 and 24:1). The engagement already bound the bride and groom, and only a divorce could break these bonds. The marriage feast followed shortly after the engagement. (Matthew 1:18; Luke 2:5).

The solemnization of marriage among the Israelites was only a family ceremony, and no public religious act and no priests were involved. At the marriage the father was the priest. He united the hands of bride and groom, and gave them the marriage blessing, perhaps using the words, “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob be with thee.” (The exact words of the pronounced blessing are not actually known to us.) After these paternal blessings followed the feast, usually involving seven days. This shows us that they were not in excess. (Genesis 28 and Judges 14). The invited guests gave presents to the married couple. During these seven days the bride remained with her parents; on the evening of the seventh day the bride was brought to the house of the bridegroom.

Answer B. Even after the fall in Paradise, the command to serve the Lord together in love and faithfulness remained. There is nothing in the New Testament given us about the way marriages were initiated. During the apostolic and post-apostolic time, the marriages of Christians were performed in accordance with the rules and customs of the Roman Empire. The Christian church did not make new rules for the marriage ceremony, but acknowledged the existing legal order of their homeland. The church, however, reinforced Christian marriage with certain actions intended for supervision and discipline upon this life-long union.

“The Reformation also judged that marriage as a creation ordinance belongs to the jurisdiction of civilian government, over which the government as God’s servant is to maintain the proper order. The church has the task of advising government in this matter and prays for a blessing upon the marriage thus confirmed.” (The preceding sentences were taken from the report of the Synodical advisory committee regarding amended divorce laws and marriage of divorced persons).

Therefore we have followed the customs of our countries as they have developed in the past and which were also influenced by the church. Since we must obey the government in all good things, it is our duty to marry in accordance to the laws of the government, that government which is given to us by the Lord.

Sioux Center, Iowa

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