ernor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was : (but the servants which drew the water knew ;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every
man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men hava well drunk, then that which is worse : but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus iu Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory ; and his disciples beUeved on him.
These verses describe a miracle which should always possess a special interest in the eyes of a true Christian. It is the first, in order of time, of the many mighty works which Jesus did, when He was upon earth. We are distinctly told, " This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee." — Like every other miracle which St. John was inspired to record, it is related with great minuteness and particularity. And, like every other miracle in St. John's Gospel, it is rich in spiritual les- sons.
We learn, firstly, from these verses, how honourable in the sight of Christ is the estate of matrimony. To be present at a " marriage" was almost the first public act of our Lord's earthly ministry.
Marriage is not a sacrament, as the Church of Rome asserts. It is simply a state of life ordained by God for man's benefit. But it is a state which ought never to be spoken of with levity, or regarded with disrespect. The Prayerbook service has well described it, as " an honoura- ble estate, instituted of God in the time of man's inno- cency, and signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church." Society is never in a healthy condition, and true religion never flourishes in that land where the marriage tie is lightly esteemed. They who lightly esteem it have not the mind of Christ. He who " beautified and adorned the estate of matrimony by His presence and first miracle that He wrought in Cana of Galilee," is One who is always of one mind.
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" Marriage," snys the Holy Ghost by St. Panl, " is hon ourable in all." (Heb. xiii. 4.)
One thing, however, ought not to be forgotten. Marriage is a step which so seriously affects the temporal happiness and spiritual welfare of two immortal sonls, that it ought never to be taken in hand " unadvisedly, lightly, wantonly, and without due consideration." To be truly happy, it should be undertaken "reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God." Christ's blessing and presence are essential to a happy w^edding. The marriage at which there is no place for Christ and His disciples, is not one that can justly be expected to prosper.
We learn, secondly, from these verses, that there are times when it is lawful to be merry and rejoice. Our Lord Himself sanctioned a wedding-feast by His own presence. He did not refuse to be a guest at " a marriage in Cana of Galilee." "A feast," it is written, "is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry." (Eccles. x. 19.) Our Lord, in the passage before us, countenances both the feast and the use of wine.
True religion was never meant to make men melancholy. On the contrary, it was intended to increase real joy and happiness among men. The servant of Christ unquestion- ably ought to have nothing to do with races, balls, theatres, and such-like amusements, which tend to frivolity and dis- sipation, if not to sin. But he has no right to hand over innocent recreations and family gatherings to the devil and the world. The Christian who withdraws entirely from the society of his fellow-men, and walks the earth with a face as melancholy as if he was always attending a funeral, does injury to the cause of the Gospel. A cheerful, kindly spirit is a great recommendation to a believer. It is a positive nusfortune to Christianity when a Christian cannot smUe. A merry heart, and a readiness to take part in all