"
But many good people object to the term, and say that they have
received the first, second, third, and fiftieth blessing; and no
doubt they have; and yet the people who speak of "the second
blessing" are right, in the sense in which they use the term; and
in that sense there are but the two blessings.
Some years ago a man heard things about a lady that filled him
with admiration for her, and made him feel that they were of one
mind and heart. Later, he met her for the first time, and fell in
love with her. After some months, following an enlarged
acquaintance and much consideration and prayer, he told her of
his love, and asked her to become his wife; and after due
consideration and prayer on her part she consented, and they
promised themselves to each other; they plighted their faith, and
in a sense gave themselves to each other.
That was the first blessing, and it filled him with great peace
and joy, but not perfect peace and joy. Now, there were many
blessings following that before the great second blessing came.
Every letter he received, every tender look, every pressure of
the hand, every tone of her voice, every fresh assurance of
enduring and increasing affection was a blessing; but it was not
the second blessing.
But one day, after patient waiting, which might have been
shortened by mutual consent, if they had thought it wise, and
after full preparation, they came together in the presence of
friends and before a man of God, and in the most solemn and
irrevocable manner gave themselves to each other to become one,
and were pronounced man and wife.
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