906

3 Yet like an idle tale we pass
The swift revolving year,
And study artful ways t' increase
The speed of its career.

4 Awake, O God, my careless heart
Its great concerns to see,

That I may act the Christian part,
And give the year to thee.

5 So shall their course more grateful roll,
If future years arise;

Or this shall bear my waiting soul
To joy beyond the skies.

5s & 12s.

The New Year.

1 Come, let us anew

Our journey pursue,

Roll round with the year,

And never stand still till the Master appear;
His adorable will

Let us gladly fulfil,

And our talents improve

By the patience of hope, and the labor of love.
2 Our life is a dream;
Our time, as a stream,
Glides swiftly away,

And the fugitive moment refuses to stay:
The arrow is flown;

The moment is gone;
The millennial year

Rushes on to our view, and eternity's near.

3 Oh that each, in the day

Of his coming, may say,

"I have fought my way through;

317

I have finished the work thou didst give me to do;" Oh that each from his Lord

May receive the glad word,

66

Well and faithfully done;

Enter into my joy, and sit down on my throne."

907

908

L. M.

Close of the Year.

1 Our helper, God, we bless thy name,
Whose love forever is the same;
The tokens of whose gracious care
Begin and crown and close the year.
2 Amid ten thousand snares we stand,
Supported by thy guardian hand;
And see, when we review our ways,
Ten thousand monuments of praise.
3 Thus far thine arm has led us on;
Thus far we make thy mercy known;
And while we tread this desert land,
New mercies shall new songs demand.
4 Our grateful souls on Jordan's shore
Shall raise one sacred pillar more,
Then bear, in thy bright courts above,
Inscriptions of immortal love.

C. M.

Prayer for a Blessing.

1 Now, gracious Lord, thine arm reveal,
And make thy glory known;
Now let us all thy presence feel,
And soften hearts of stone.

2 From all the guilt of former sin
May mercy set us free;

And let the year we now begin,
Begin and end with thee.

3 Send down thy Spirit from above,
That saints may love thee more,
And sinners now may learn to love,
Who never loved before.

4 And when before thee we appear,
In our eternal home,

May growing numbers worship here,
And praise thee in our room.

312

328

909

910

7s.

New Year's Day.

the sun

1 While, with ceaseless course,
Hasted through the former year,
Many souls their race have run,
Nevermore to meet us here:
Fixed in an eternal state,

They have done with all below:
We a little longer wait,

But how little none can know.
2 Thanks for mercies past receive;
Pardon of our sins renew;
Teach us, henceforth, how to live,
With eternity in view,

Bless thy word to old and young;`
Fill us with a Saviour's love:
When our life's short race is run,
May we dwell with thee above.

316

New Year's Morning Hymn.

1 Thanksgiving and the voice of melody,

This New Year's morning, call me from my sleep, A new sweet song is in my heart for thee, Thou faithful, tender Shepherd of thy sheep. 2 With voice subdued, my listening spirit sings, As backward on the trodden path I gaze, While ministering angels fold their wings

To fill with lowly thoughts my song of praise. 3 Not all that hath been, Lord, henceforth shall be; A low, sweet, cheering strain is in mine ear; Thanksgiving and the voice of melody

Are leading in from heaven a blest New Year. 4 Thoughts of thy love,—and oh, how great the sum ! Enduring grief, obtaining bliss for me,The world, life, death, things present, things to come, All swell the New Year's opening melody.

911

912

C. M.

Looking forward.

1 And now, my soul, another year
Of thy short life is past;

I cannot long continue here,

And this may be my last.

2 Awake, my soul; with utmost care
Thy true condition learn:

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What are thy hopes? how sure? how fair
What is thy great concern?

3 Behold, another year begins;
Set out afresh for heaven;
Seek pardon for thy former sins,
In Christ so freely given.

4 Devoutly yield thyself to God,
And on his grace depend;
With zeal pursue the heavenly road,
Nor doubt a happy end.

MEETING AND PARTING.

7s.

Parting of Christians.

1 For a season called to part,

Let us now ourselves commend
To the gracious eye and heart

Of our ever-present Friend.

2 Jesus, hear our humble prayer:
Tender Shepherd of thy sheep,
Let thy mercy and thy care

All our souls in safety keep.

3 In thy strength may we be strong;
Sweeten every cross and pain;
And our wasting lives prolong,
Till we meet on earth again.

344

913

11s & 10s.

Parting Song.

349

1 Brothers, clasp hands, the brief moments are flying;
Here upon earth but as pilgrims we dwell;
Gladly we met, yet we part without sighing,
Looking beyond the fraternal farewell.

In his dear name, the All-loving, All-seeing,
Hand clasped in hand for him, brothers, farewell
2 Rich in our faith, in our love, in our union,
Foretastes of heaven together we've known;
Ours is the bliss of a saintly communion,
Granted to lovers of Jesus alone.

3 Now to our work again, stronger for meeting,
Pledged to our Master as never before,
Warm are the hearts that are loyally beating,
Longing to serve and to honor him more.

4 Jesus we own as the Lord of our being;

Let our last song rich in gratitude swell;
In his dear name, the All-loving, All-seeing,
Hand clasped in hand for him, brothers, farewell.

Gather at the River.

1 Shall we gather at the river,

Where bright angel feet have trod;
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

2 On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever,
All the happy, golden day.

3 On the bosom of the river,

Where the Saviour-King we own,
We shall meet and sorrow never,
'Neath the glory of the throne.
4 Soon we'll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.

348