Father,

Who hast blest us all our days,
We with grateful hearts would gather,
To begin the year with praise;
Praise for light so brightly shining

On our steps from heaven above;
Praise for mercies daily twining

Round us golden cords of love.

dim 2 Jesus for Thy love most tender, On the cross for sinners slain,

cr We would praise Thee, and surrender All our hearts to be Thine own.

With so blest a Friend provided,
We upon our way would go,
Sure of being safely guided,
Guarded well from every foe.

mf 3 Every day will be the brighter, When Thy gracious face we see; Every burden will be lighter,

When we know it comes from Thee. Spread Thy love's broad banner o'er us, Give us strength to serve and wait, f Till Thy glory break before us, Through the city's open gate.

BEETHOVEN.

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;

dim But how little, none can know.
mp 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: Upwards, Lord, our spirits raise; p All below is but a dream.

cr

f3 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.
Amen.

JOHN NEWTON.

story

Of our love, and joy, and praise! Lute, awake! awake our glory! Join a thankful song to raise. mf Sing we, brethren, faithful-hearted, dim Lift the solemn voice again,

O'er another year departed

Of our threescore years and ten.

p 2 Lo, a theme for deepest sadness, In ourselves with sin defiled; cr Lo, a theme for holiest gladness, In our Father reconciled.

p In the dust we bend before Thee, Lord of sinless hosts above;

cr Yet in lowliest joy adore Thee, God of mercy, grace, and love.

3 Gracious Saviour, Thou hast length-
And hast blest our mortal span, [ened,
And in our weak hearts hast strength-
What Thy grace alone began:- [ened
Still, when danger shall betide us,
Be Thy warning whisper heard;
Keep us at Thy feet, and guide us
By Thy Spirit and Thy word.

HENRY DOWNTON.

dim

cr

cr

night

This winter's eve are fleeting:
We come to Thee the Life and Light,
In solemn worship meeting.
And as the year's last hours go by
We lift to Thee our earnest cry,
Once more Thy love entreating.

mp 2 Before Thee, Lord, subdued we bow,
To Thee our prayers addressing;
Recounting all Thy mercies now,
And all our sins confessing;
Beseeching Thee this coming year,
To hold us in Thy faith and fear,
And crown us with Thy blessing.

mp3 And while we kneel, we lift our eyes
To dear ones gone before us;
Safe housed with Thee in Paradise,
Their spirits hovering o'er us;
And beg of Thee, when life is past,
To reunite us all at last,

And to our lost restore us.

cr

The memory of Thy mercies;
Thy wondrous goodness, love, and power,
Our grateful song rehearses:

f For Thou hast been our strength and stay dim In many a dark and dreary day Of sorrow and reverses.

mp 5 In many an hour, when fear and dread,
Like evil spells have bound us,
And clouds were gathering overhead,
Thy providence hath found us;
In many a night when waves ran high,
Thy precious presence drawing nigh
Hath made all calm around us.

cr

J. A. E. SCHULTZE.

A-men.

scatter

He paints the wayside flower,

He lights the evening star; The winds and waves obey Him,

By Him the birds are fed;

cr Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread. All good gifts, &c.

f

mf 3 We thank Thee then, O Father,
For all things bright and good,
The seed-time and the harvest,
Our life, our health, our food;
Accept the gift we offer

For all Thy love imparts,
And, what Thou most desirest,
Our humble, thankful hearts.
All good gifts, &c. Amen.
CLAUDIUS, tr. by JANE M. CAMPBELL.

Of all things near and far;

f