Retrospect of a Year.
TIME by moments steals away,
First the hour, and then the day;
Small the daily loss appears,
Yet it soon amounts to years:
Thus another year is flown,
And is now no more our own,
(Though it brought or promised good,)
Than the years before the flood.
2 But each year, let none forget,
Finds and leaves us deep in debt;
Favours from the Lord received,
Sins that have the Spirit grieved,
Mark'd by God's unerring hand,
In his book recorded stand:
Who can tell the vast amount
Placed to each of our account?
3 We have nothing, Lord, to pay,
Take, O! take our guilt away:
Self-condemn'd, on Thee we call,
Freely, Lord, forgive us all.
If we see another year,
May we spend it in thy fear;
All its days devote to Thee,
Living for eternity.
The Prospect of a New Year.
1 How many kindred souls are fled
To the vast regions of the dead,
Since from this day the changing sun
Through his last yearly course hath run!
2 We yet survive;-but who can say,
"Or through this year, or month, or day,
I will retain this vital breath,
Thus far at least in league with death?"
3 That breath is thine, Eternal God!
'Tis thine to fix the soul's abode ;
It holds its life from Thee alone,
On earth, or in the worlds unknown.
4 To Thee our spirits we resign;
Make them, and own them still as thine:
So shall they rest secure from fear,
Though death should blight the rising year.
272.
Reflection at the End of a Year.
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 Much of my dubious life is gone,
Nor will return again;
And swift my passing moments run,
The few that yet remain.
3 Awake, my soul; with utmost care,
Thy true condition learn:
What are thy hopes, how sure, how fair,
And what thy great concern?
4 Now a new scene of time begins,
Set out afresh for heaven;
Seek pardon for thy former sins,
In Christ so freely given.
5 Devoutly yield thyself to God,
And on his grace depend;
With zeal pursue the heavenly road,
Nor doubt a happy end.
Purposes on beginning a New Year.
1 My few revolving years,
How swift they glide away!
How short the term of life appears,
When past-but as a day!
A dark and cloudy day,
Made up of grief and sin,
A host of enemies without,
Distressing fears within.
Lord, through another year,
If Thou permit my stay,
With diligence may I pursue
The true and living way!
Spared another Year.
1 THE Lord of earth and sky, The God of ages praise; Who reigns enthroned on high, Ancient of endless days; Who lengthens out our trial here, And spares us yet another year! 2 Barren and wither'd trees,
We cumber'd long the ground; No fruit of holiness
On our dead souls we found: Yet doth He us in mercy spare, Another, and another year.
3 When justice bared the sword, To cut the fig-tree down, The pity of our Lord
Cried, "Let it still alone:" The Father mild inclined his ear, And spared us yet another year.
4 Jesus! thy speaking blood
From God obtain'd the grace,
Who therefore hath bestow'd
On us a longer space:
Thou didst in our behalf appear,
And, lo, we see another year.
5 Then dig about our root,
Break up our fallow-ground,
And let our gracious fruit
To thy great praise abound:
O let us all thy praise declare,
And fruit unto perfection bear!
I CHRISTIANS, awake, salute the happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour of mankind was born;
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above:
With them the joyful tidings first began,
Of God Incarnate, and the Virgin's Son.
2 Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the' angelic herald's voice, Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth,
To you, and all the nations upon earth;
This day hath God fulfill'd his promised word,
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord."
3 He spake; and straightway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy unknown before conspire;
The praises of redeeming love they sang,
And heaven's whole orb with hallelujahs rang;
God's highest glory was their anthem still,
"Peace upon earth, and unto men good-will.”
4 To Bethlehem straight the' enlighten'd shepherds
To see the wonders God had wrought for man;
Then to their flocks, still praising God, return,
And their glad hearts within their bosoms burn;
To all the joyful tidings they proclaim,
The first Apostles of the Saviour's fame.
5 0! may we keep and ponder in our mind,
God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind;
Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From his poor manger to his bitter cross;
Tread in his steps, assisted by his grace,
Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.
6 Then may we hope, the' angelic hosts among,
To find, redeem'd, a glad triumphant throng:
He that was born upon this joyful day,
Around us all his glory shall display:
Saved by his love incessant, we shall sing
Eternal praise to heaven's Almighty King.
276.
1 BRIGHTEST and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid; Star of the east, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid.
2 Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining,
Low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,―
Maker, and Monarch, and Saviour of all.
3 Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,
Odours of Edom, and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?
4 Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gold would his favour secure ; Richer by far is the heart's adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
5 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
Star of the east, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid.
The Advent of Christ.
1 How shall I meet my Saviour?
How shall I welcome Thee?
What manner of behaviour
Is now required of me?
Let thine illumination
Guide heart and hand aright,
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