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A BOOK OF LOVE
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and all the loving young couples, while the old organist is playing with his one hand and waving to us with the other.

Outside waits the carriage with the white horses. We step in and drive to my home, to our home. Then the church-bells begin to ring.


LXIVYes, ring all bells, sing all angels! A soul is saved.

It was a very bad soul, a soul which revelled in sin and only knew repentance by name. Ring out, ring out, bells! Sing all angels. It is a very hardened sinner who is being carried up to you!

Who was it who saved him? Who is it who carries him?

A weak woman, not herself without fault and stain, but strong in her faith. Her faith guided herself and saved him. Ring, sing, now she is carrying him up—up——

Why does he not come alone? Why must she lead him?

He is still weak, and his foot trembles. But helped by her strong faith he will find the way.

Alas! he is sinking! She is not strong enough to carry him any longer.

Let the joy-music sound, that the weak woman may be strengthened, and to encourage him sing out his beloved's name.

What is the name of this faithful woman?

Marie is her blessed name. Ring it out, sing it loud! Look, he lifts his head. He grows stronger.