454 O PERFECT LOVE II 10 II 10

Arr. fr. Joseph Barnby, 1889

1. O per-fect Love, all hu-man thought transcending, Low-ly we kneel in

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pray'r before Thy throne, That theirs may be the love which knows no

2 O perfect Life, be Thou their full assurance
Of tender charity and steadfast faith,
Of patient hope, and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust that fears nor pain nor death.
Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
And to life's day the glorious unknown morrow
That dawns upon eternal love and life.

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Dorothy F. Blomfield, 1883

(SWAINTHORPE)

2 And happy was the bride,

And glad the bridegroom's heart, For He who tarried at their side Bade grief and ill depart.

3 His gracious power divine

The water vessels knew;

And plenteous was the mystic wine
The wondering servants drew.

4 O Lord of life and love,
Come Thou again to-day;
And bring a blessing from above
That ne'er shall pass away.

5 Before Thine altar throne

This mercy we implore;

As Thou dost knit them, Lord, in one,
So bless them evermore.

We thank Thee that up- on us fall Such ten-der blessings from a-bove. 9:#

1. Thou gracious Pow'r whose mer- cy lends, The light of home, the smile of friends,

Our gather'd flock Thine arms enfold As in the peaceful days of old. 9:#

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Friend, and Sav-iour of our race, And where a- mong the guests there nev-er

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One who can hold such high and honored place. A-MEN.

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2 O happy home, where two in heart united
In holy faith and blessed hope are one,
Whom death a little while alone divideth,
And cannot end the union here begun.

3 O happy home, where each one serves Thee, lowly,
Whatever his appointed work may be,

Till every common task seems great and holy,
When it is done, O Lord, as unto Thee.

4 O happy home, where Thou art not forgotten
When joy is overflowing, full, and free;
O happy home, where every wounded spirit
Is brought, Physician, Comforter, to Thee.

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(BROOKFIELD)

Until at last, when earth's day's work is ended
All meet Thee in the blessed home above,

From whence Thou camest, where Thou hast ascended,
Thy everlasting home of peace and love.

Carl J. P. Spitta, 1833. Tr. Sarah Borthwick Findlater, 1853

4 The noontide sunshine of the past,
These brief, bright moments fading fast,
The stars that gild our darkening years,
The twilight rays from holier spheres:

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We thank Thee, Father! let Thy grace

Our loving circle still embrace,

Thy mercy shed its heavenly store,
Thy peace be with us evermore.

Of thee I sing; Land where my fa thers died, Land