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?" S 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.
HYMN 203. (SEVENS.)
Reflections on the new year.
I WHILE, with ceaseless course, the sun
Hasted through the former year,
Many souls their race have run,
Never more to meet us here:
Fix'd in an eternal state,
They have fled from all below;
We a little longer wait,
But how little none can know.
2 As the winged arrow flies,
Swift its destined mark to find;
As the lightning from the skies
Darts, and leaves no trace behind'
Thus with speed our fleeting days
Bear us down life's rapid stream:
Lord! on high our wishes raise ;
All on earth 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:
Guide the young, and warn the old;
Bid them seek the Saviour's love;
So, when life's brief tale is told,
All shall dwell with Thee above.
HYMN 204. (C. M.)
For a new 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 heav'n:
Seek pardon for thy former sins,
In Christ so freely giv❜n.
5 Devoutly yield thyself to God,
And on his grace depend;
With zeal pursue the heav'nly road,
Nor doubt a happy end.
HYMN 205. (L. M.)
Morning hymn.
1 AWAKE, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and early rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
2 Thy talents to improve take care;
For the great day thyself prepare;
Redeem thy mispent moments past,
And live this day, as 'twere thy last.
3 Glory to God, who safe hath kept,
And hath refresh'd me, while I slept;
Grant, Lord, when 1 from death awake,
I may of endless life partake.
4 Direct, controul, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say;
That all my powers, with all their might, In thy sole glory may unite.
5 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below! Praise Him above, ye heavenly host! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
HYMN 206. (L.M.)
Evening hymn.
1 GLORY to Thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light:
Keep me, oh! keep me, King of kings,
Beneath thine own almighty wings.
2 Forgive me, Lord, through thy dear Son,
The sins that I this day have done:
That with the world, myself and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
3 Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave, as little as my bed:
Teach me to die, that so I may
With joy behold the judgement-day.
4 Oh! may my soul on Thee repose,
And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close;
Sleep, that may me more active make,
To serve my God, when I awake.
5 Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below !
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host !
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Goodness and mercy have followed me all my days.
1 WHEN all thy mercies, O my God!
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I'm lost
In wonder, love and praise.
2 Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks. employ ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart,
To taste those gifts with joy.
3 Unnumber'd comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestow'd,
Long ere my infant heart conceived
From whom those comforts flow'd.
4 When in the slippery paths of youth
With heedless steps I ran,
Thine arm unseen convey'd me safe,
And led me up to man.
5 Through hidden dangers, toils, and deaths, It gently clear'd my way,
And through the pleasing snares of vice,
More to be fear'd than they..
6 When worn with sickness, oft hast Thou
With health renew'd my face;
And, when in sins and sorrows sunk,
Revived my soul with grace.
7 Through every period of my life
May I thy love proclaim;
And after death, in distant worlds,
Resume the glorious theme!
8 Yea, through eternal ages, Lord!
I would my tribute raise;
But oh! eternity's too short
To utter all thy praise!
HYMN 208. (L. M.)
The weary and heavy laden invited to Christ.
PEACE, troubled soul, whose plaintive moan
Hath taught each scene the note of woe;
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