Give us, through Jesu's dying love,
To feel our countless sins forgiven;
So, by thy grace, this house shall prove,
In very deed, the gate of heaven.

127

ANNIVERSARY HYMN.

"Yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice

in the Lord."-ZECHARIAH X. 7.

ET all assembled here,

LET

On this returning day,

Review the mercies of the year,
And grateful homage pay.

Yes, we adore thee, Lord,

Within this sacred place;

Where oft we meet, with sweet accord,
To seek thy gracious face.

To thee, our God and King,
We glad hosannas raise;
O deign to hear our voices sing
The honours of thy praise!

Command thy blessing, Lord,
On all assembled here;

And may we still thy grace record
Through ev'ry circling year.

128

HYMNS CXXVIII. & CXXIX.

THE NEW YEAR.

"We spend our years as a tale that is told."-PSALM XC. 9.

S

WIFTLY pass the seasons round,

Constant change on earth is found;
We are fading, day by day,
And must shortly pass away.

Time once lost returns no more,
Time with us will soon be o'er;
O may we be early wise,
To improve it as it flies.

Now another year begins,
Let us mourn our former sins;
Cast them off without delay,
Turn to God, and keep his way.

Help us, Lord, to seek thy face;
Daily may we grow in grace,
Till we rise to dwell above,
In the kingdom of thy love.

123

129

FOR THE QUEEN.

"And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace."-JEREMIAH xxix. 7.

ORD, thou hast bid thy people pray

For all that bear the sov'reign sway,
And thy vicegerents reign;

Rulers, and governors, and pow'rs!
And, lo! in faith we pray for ours,
Nor can we pray in vain,

Jesus, thy chosen servant guard,
And every threatening danger ward
From her anointed head;

Bid all her griefs and troubles cease,
And through the paths of heav'nly peace
To life eternal lead.

Cover her enemies with shame,
Defeat their dire malicious aim,
Their baffled hopes destroy;

But shower on her thy blessings down,
Her days with grace and glory crown,
And everlasting joy.

130

FOR THE QUEEN.

"I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."-1 TIMOTHY ii. 1, 2.

OV'REIGN of all, whose will ordains

The powers on earth that be;

By Whom our rightful monarch reigns,
Subject to none but Thee!

Lo! in the arms of faith and prayer,
We bear her to thy throne;
Make her thine own peculiar care,
The Lord's anointed one.

Guard her from all who dare oppose
Thy delegate and Thee;
From open and from secret foes,
From force and perfidy.

In health and wealth may she increase,
Her from all harm defend;

'Stablish her throne in glorious peace,
And save her to the end.

Her people, bound in unity,
With ev'ry mercy bless :
Make us a nation fearing thee,
And working righteousness.

131

FOR THE QUEEN.

"And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers."-ISAIAH xlix. 23.

KING of kings, thy blessing shed

On our anointed Sov'reign's head; And, looking from thy throne in heaven, Protect the crown thyself has given.

Her, for thy sake may we obey,
Uphold her right, and love her sway;
Rememb'ring, all "the powers that be"
Are ministers ordain'd by Thee.

By her this favor'd nation bless,
To her wise counsels give success;

At all times let thine aid be seen,

Confirm her strength: God save our Queen.

And, when all earthly thrones decay,

And earthly glories fade away,

Give her a nobler throne on high,

A crown of immortality.

132

FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

"By me kings reign, and princes decree justice."-PROVERBS Viii. 15.

L

ORD God of Hosts, who dost fulfil

In heaven and earth Thy sov'reign will;
For heaven and earth are Thine:

The councils of our nation bless

With wisdom, truth, and righteousness,

With light and love divine.