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. That was the second blessing,
an epochal experience, unlike anything which preceded, or
anything to follow. And now their peace and joy and rest were
full.

There had to be the first and second blessings in this
relationship of man and wife, but there is no third. And yet in
the sense of those who say they have received fifty blessings
from the Lord, there have been countless blessings in their
wedded life; indeed, it has been a river of blessing, broadening
and deepening in gladness and joy and sweet affections and
fellowship with the increasing years.

But let us not confuse thought by disputing over terms and
wrangling about words.

The first blessing in Jesus Christ is salvation, with its
negative side of remission of sins and forgiveness, and its
positive side of renewal or regeneration--the new birth--one
experience.