4 What harm can sin and death then do? 5 Not one He will, nor can, forsake 6 Ye must prevail at last, for ye 163 END OF YEAR 7s 81 WHILE with ceaseless course the sun Hasted through the former year, Many souls their race have run, 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; Bear us down life's rapid stream: 3 Thanks for mercies past receive, Bless Thy Word to young and old, 164 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7 (Iambic) ACROSS the sky the shades of night And as the year's last hours go by, 2 Before the cross subdued we bow, And crown us with Thy blessing. 3 And while we pray, we lift our eyes Whose peace descendeth o'er us: With those who've gone before us. 4 We gather up, in this brief hour, The memory of Thy mercies: Thy wondrous goodness, love, and power, Our grateful song rehearses: For Thou hast been our strength and stay In many a dark and dreary day Of sorrows and reverses. 5 In many an hour, when fear and dread, In many a night, when seas ran high, 6 Then, O great God, in years to come, Whatever may betide us, Right onward through our journey home Nor leave us till, at close of life, 165 7, 7, 7, 7 THOU who roll'st the year around, Crowned with mercies large and free, Rich Thy gifts to us abound, Warm our praise shall rise to Thee. 2 Kindly to our worship bow, While our grateful thanks we tell, That, sustained by Thee, we now Bid the parting year-farewell! 3 All its numbered days are sped, All its busy scenes are o'er, All its joys for ever fled, All its sorrows felt no more. 4 Mingled with th' eternal past, Its remembrance shall decay; Yet to be revived at last At the solemn judgment-day. All our follies, Lord, forgive! Cleanse us from each guilty stain; Let Thy grace within us live, That we spend not years in vain. Then, when life's last eve shall come, To our everlasting home, To our Father's house on high! NEW YEAR 166 FATHER, let me dedicate In whatever earthly state Not from sorrow, pain, or care, This alone shall be my prayer: 2 Can a child presume to choose Can a Father's love refuse 3 If in mercy Thou wilt spare Joys that yet are mine; 7, 5, 81 If on life, serene and fair, And, whate'er the future brings, 4 If Thou callest to the cross, And in deepest woe pray on: 167 L. M. GREAT God, we sing that mighty Hand 2 By day, by night, at home, abroad, 3 With grateful hearts the past we own; 4 In scenes exalted or depressed, Be Thou our Joy, and Thou our Rest, Thy goodness all our hopes shall raise, Adored through all our changing days 5 When death shall interrupt our songs, And seal in silence mortal tongues; |