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THE MARK OF PERFECT LOVE

Oh Lord, we thank thee thou hast set
A Mark of perfect love
Which we must reach ere we can win
Approval from above.

For, in the reaching of that Mark,
Our characters are built,
Which thou requirest of all those
Whom Christ has freed from guilt.

We consecrate to follow him
Along the “narrow way”;
And so we strive to overcome,
And grow, from day to day.

And “perfect love”—what does it mean?
Must we attain thereto?
And actually love, and perfectly,
Our God and brother true?

E’en so, we actually must love
Our Father, first and best,
And love our “Elder Brother,” as
In him we find true rest.

And then our enemies we love;
We seek to do them good!
We ever try to render them
The services we should.

Ah yes, ’tis actual, perfect love
We truly must attain;
But, oh, how often do we fail!
And failure gives us pain—

Because this creature of pure love
In sin-racked body lives;
But, praise his name, our Advocate
His loving service gives.

So, perfect will and perfect love
Are handicapped till we
In his own likeness shall awake—
Like him for e’er to be! F. A. R.

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— October 1, 1910 —