3 Thus far his arm hath led me on; Thus far I make his mercy known; And, while I tread this mortal land, New mercies shall new songs demand.

890. C. M. Heginbotham.

New Year. Providential Goodness.

1 G.o.d of our lives, thy various praise Our voices shall resound: Thy hand directs our fleeting days, And brings the seasons round.

2 To thee shall grateful songs arise, Our Father and our Friend, Whose constant mercies from the skies In genial streams descend.

3 In every scene of life, thy care, In every age, we see; And constant as thy favors are, So let our praises be.

4 Still may thy love, in every scene, In every age, appear; And let the same compa.s.sion deign To bless the opening year.

5 If mercy smile, let mercy bring Our wandering souls to G.o.d: In our affliction we shall sing, If thou wilt bless the rod.

891. L. M. John Fawcett.

"He holdeth our soul in life."

1 O G.o.d, my helper, ever near!

Crown with thy smile the present year; Preserve me by thy favor still, And fit me for thy sacred will.

2 My safety, each succeeding hour, Depends on thy supporting power: Accept my thanks for mercies past, And be my guard, while life shall last.

3 My moments move with winged haste, Nor know I which shall be the last: Danger and death are ever nigh, And I this year perhaps may die.

4 Prepare me for the trying day; Then call my willing soul away: I'll quit the world at thy command, And trust my spirit to thy hand.

892. C. M. Newton.

New Year. Prayer for a Blessing.

1 Now, gracious Lord, thine arm reveal, And make thy glory known; Now let us all thy presence feel, And soften hearts of stone.

2 From all the guilt of former sin May mercy set us free; And let the year we now begin, Begin and end with thee.

3 Send down thy spirit from above, That saints may love thee more, And sinners now may learn to love, Who never loved before.

4 And when before thee we appear, In our eternal home, May growing numbers worship here, And praise thee in our room.

893. C. M. Bp. Middleton.

Self-Examination. New Year.

1 As o'er the past my memory strays, Why heaves the secret sigh?

'Tis that I mourn departed days, Still unprepared to die.

2 The world, and worldly things beloved, My anxious thoughts employed; And time unhallowed, unimproved, Presents a fearful void.

3 Yet, Holy Father! wild despair Chase from my laboring breast; Thy grace it is which prompts the prayer.

That grace can do the rest.

4 My life's brief remnant all be thine; And when thy sure decree Bids me this fleeting breath resign, O speed my soul to thee!

894. 7s. M. Newton.

Invocation. New Year.

1 Bless, O Lord, each opening year To the souls a.s.sembling here: Clothe thy word with power divine, Make us willing to be thine.

2 Where thou hast thy work begun, Give new strength the race to run; Scatter darkness, doubts, and fears, Wipe away the mourners' tears.

3 Bless us all, both old and young; Call forth praise from every tongue: Let our whole a.s.sembly prove All thy power and all thy love!

895. C. M. Browne.

The Closing Year.

1 And now, my soul, another year Of my short life is past: I cannot long continue here; And this may be my last.

2 Part of my doubtful life is gone, Nor will return again; And swift my fleeting moments run-- The few which yet remain!

3 Awake, my soul! with all thy care Thy true condition learn; What are thy hopes--how sure, how fair, And what thy great concern?

4 Now a new s.p.a.ce of life begins, Set out afresh for heaven; Seek pardon for thy former sins, Through Christ, so freely given.