Storms are round us, hearts are quailing, Signs in heaven and earth and sea; But when heaven and earth are failing, Saviour! we will trust in Thee.

838

H. DOWNTON.

87.87.77. ELP, Lord Jesus, let Thy blessing Rest upon this opening year;

May we now, new strength possessing,
Walk in love and holy fear.
Dearest Saviour, speed our way,
Strength bestow from day to day.

2 In our hearts our purpose keeping,
May we live alone to Thee:
In our waking and our sleeping,
Jesus, Thou our portion be.
Going out, be Thou our guide;
In our home, with us abide.

3 May our prayers and supplications
To Thy throne of grace ascend;
May no foolish, vain oblations,
Weary Thee, our dearest Friend;
May we love Thee more and more,
Serve and honour and adore !

4 Jesus, Thou our footsteps guiding,
May we never stray from Thee;
Jesus, near us still abiding,

Thou our constant Guardian be!
Jesus, Thou our thoughts inspire;
Jesus, be our heart's desire!

5 Saviour, when this year is closing,
Marked by mercies large and free,
May we, in Thy love reposing,
Leave the future all with Thee;
Gladly in Thy courts appear,
Gladly wait Thy summons here!

839

Trans. from German.

MY helper God! I bless His name,

L.M.

His power, His grace the

same;

The tokens of His friendly care Open and crown and close the year. 2 I'midst ten thousand dangers stand, Supported by His guardian hand; And see, when I survey my ways, Ten thousand monuments of praise. 3 Thus far His arm hath led me on; Thus far I make His mercy known; And while I tread this desert land, New mercies shall new songs demand. 4 My grateful soul on Jordan's shore Shall raise one sacred pillar more ; Then bear in His bright courts above Inscriptions of immortal love.

840

DODDRIDGE.

THE year is gone, beyond recall,
With all its hopes and fears,

C.M.

With all its bright and gladdening smiles, With all its mourners' tears.

Thy thankful people praise Thee, Lord,
For countless gifts received;
And pray for grace to keep the Faith
Which saints of old believed.

3 To Thee we come, O gracious Lord,
The new-born year to bless;
Defend our land from pestilence;
Give peace and plenteousness;

4 Forgive this nation's many sins;
The growth of vice restrain;
And help us all with sin to strive,
And crowns of life to gain.

5 From evil deeds that stain the past
We now desire to flee;

And pray that future years may all
Be spent, good Lord, for Thee.

6 O Father, let Thy watchful Eye
Still look on us in love,

That we may praise Thee, year by year, With angel-hosts above.

841

WHIL

LATIN HYMN, trans. F. POTT.

78.

HILE with ceaseless course the sun
Hasted through the former year,

Many souls their race have run,

Never more 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.

e As the wingèd arrow flies,
Speedily the mark to find;
As the lightning from the skies

Darts, and leaves no trace behind:
Swiftly thus our fleeting days
Bear us down life's rapid stream;
Upward, Lord, our spirits raise,
All below is but a dream.

Thanks for mercies past receive;
Pardon of our sins renew;
Teach us, henceforth, how to live
With eternity in view:

Bless Thy word to young and old;
Fill us with a Saviour's love;
And, when life's short tale is told,
May we dwell with Thee above.

2

J. NEWTON.

Services for the Young.

L.M.

THOUSAND blessings on the place
Where Sabbath - scholars joy to
meet!

11 there, O dews of early grace !
Rest there, O love divinely sweet!

d's angels spread their happy wings
And hover o'er the children there;
hile praise from youthful voices rings,
And childhood's hands are joined in
prayer.

1

3 Brood o'er that scene, O Holy Dove!
Renew and bless the youngest soul;
Seal each and all for joys above,
Where everlasting ages roll.

4 Reveal how there the Saviour stands,
To hear the children when they call;
And lay His gentle unseen hands
In benediction on them all.

5 A thousand blessings on the place Where Sabbath-scholars joy to meet ! Till they ascend to see His face,

And cast their crowns at Jesus' feet.

843

E. H. JACKSON.

8.7.

CHILDHOOD'S years are passing o'er us

Youthful days will soon be gone; Cares and sorrows lie before us,

Hidden dangers, snares unknown. 2 O may He who, meek and lowly, Trod Himself this vale of woe, Make us His, and make us holy, Guard and guide us while we go! 3 Hark, it is the Saviour calling,' 'Little children, follow Me; Jesus, keep our feet from falling; Teach us all to follow Thee.

4 Soon we part: it may be never,
Never here to meet again;

O to meet in heaven for ever!
O the crown of life to gain!

W. DICKSON.