7s. M.

701.

J. NEWTON.

The Fleeting Years of Life.

1 WHILE, 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.

2 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.

3 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.

10s. M.

702.

E. TAYLOR.

The Changing Year.

1 GOD of the changing year! whose arm of power
In safety leads through danger's darkest hour,
Here in thy temple bow thy creatures down,
To bless thy mercy, and thy might to own.

2 Thine are the beams that cheer us on our way,
And pour around the gladdening light of day;
Thine is the night; and the fair orbs that shine
To cheer its hours of darkness all are thine.

3 If round our path the thorns of sorrow grew,
And mortal friends were faithless, thou wert true;
Did sickness shake the frame, or anguish tear
The wounded spirit, thou wert present there.
4 Yet when our hearts review departed days,
How vast thy mercies! how remiss our praise!
Well may we dread thine awful eye to meet,
Bend at thy throne, and worship at thy feet.

5 O lend thine ear, and lift our voice to thee;
Where'er we dwell, still let thy mercy be;
From year to year, still nearer to thy shrine
Draw our frail hearts, and make them wholly thine.

1 THE year begins with promises
Of joyful days to come,

Of Sabbath bells, of times of prayer,
Of thoughts on heaven, our home;

2 Of seed-time, with its gentle winds,
Soft dews, and healthful showers,
And streamlets gushing from the hills,
And birds, and opening flowers;

3 Of summer, with its warbling choir
Amid the balmy leaves;

Of autumn, with its fragrant herbs
And fruits and bending sheaves;

4 Of countless mercies from our God,
Who rules the changeful years,
Both here and in the world of love,
Beyond the heavenly spheres.

L. M.

704.

Doddridge.

"Thou crownest the year with thy goodness."

1 ETERNAL Source of every joy!
Well may thy praise our lips employ,
While in thy temple we appear,
Whose goodness crowns the circling year.

2 Wide as the wheels of nature roll,
Thy hand supports the steady pole;
The sun is taught by thee to rise,
And darkness when to veil the skies.

The flowery spring, at thy command,
Embalms the air and paints the land;
The summer rays with vigor shine,
To raise the corn, and cheer the vine.

4 Thy hand in autumn richly pours
Through all our coasts redundant stores;
And winters, softened by thy care,

No more a face of horror wear.

5 Seasons, and months, and weeks, and days,
Demand successive songs of praise;
Still be the cheerful homage paid,
With opening light, and evening shade.

6 O may our more harmonious tongues
In worlds unknown pursue the songs;
And in those brighter courts adore,
Where days and years revolve no more!

C. M.

705.

GASKELL.

Close of the Year.

1 O GOD! to thee our hearts would pay
Their gratitude sincere,

Whose love hath kept us, night and day,
Throughout another year.

2 Of every breath, and every power,
Thou wast the gracious source;
From thee came every happy hour
Which smiled along its course.

3 And if sometimes across our path
A cloud its shadows threw,

Thou didst not waft it there in wrath,
But loving-kindness true.

4 For joy and grief alike we pay
Our thanks to thee above;
And only pray to grow each day
More worthy of thy love.

C. M.

706.

DODDRIDGE.

Reflections for a New Year. Psalm 90.

1 REMARK, my soul, the narrow bounds Of the revolving year;

How swift the weeks complete their rounds! How short the months appear!

2 So fast eternity comes on,

And that important day,

When all that mortal life has done
God's judgment shall survey.

3 Yet like an idle tale we pass
The swift advancing year;
And study artful ways to increase
The speed of its career.

4 Waken, O God, my trifling heart,
Its great concern to see;
That I may act the Christian part,
And give the year to thee.

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

Or this shall bear my peaceful soul
To joy that never dies.

L. M.

707.

DODDRIDGE.

For the Beginning or End of the Year.

1 My helper, God! I bless his name; The same 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 blessings shall new songs demand.