1047 WATCH-NIGHT. 1st P. M. 6 lines 88. A solemn vigil. H in revelling and frantic mirth! OW many pass the guilty night In Their happiness the things of earth: Of saints, and let our joys abound; 60 may we all triumphant rise; With joy upon our heads return; And far above these nether skies, By thee on eagles' wings upborne, Through all yon radiant circles move, And gain the highest heaven of love. 1048 1st P. M. 6 lines 85. A living sacrifice unto the Lord. ISDOM ascribe, and might, and praise, lengthens out our days; Who spares us yet another year, And makes us see his goodness here: And henceforth live and die to him! 1049 A midnight song. JOIN, all ye ransom'd sons of grace, And shout to the Redeemer's praise C. M. 2 Blessing, and thanks, and love, and might, Be to our Jesus given, Who turns our darkness into light, Who turns our hell to heaven. 8 Thither our faithful souls he leads; With crowns of joy upon our heads, 1050 3d P. M. 4 6s & 2 8s. The Bridegroom cometh. Yvirgin and, awake; virgin souls, arise; Unto salvation wise, Oil in your vessels take: Who meet for glory are: Made ready for your full reward; With all his saints ascend: Ye pure in heart, obtain the grace Shall soon the saints receive, Far from a world of grief and sin, 5 Then let us wait to hear May we be watching found: And when thou dost the heavens bow, Be found-as, Lord, thou find'st us now. 1051 11th P. M. 76, 76, 77, 76. The midnight cry. EARKEN to the solemn voice, 2 Ye who faint beneath the load 1052 7th P. M. 8 lines 78. Retrospect of a year. 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 done with all below; We a little longer wait, But how little-none can know. 2 As the winged 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; 8 Thanks for mercies past receive; Bless thy word to young and old; 1053 NEW-YEAR. 18th P. M. 10, 5, 11. Renewed fidelity and zeal. COME, let us anew our journey pursue, Roll round with the year, And never stand still till the Master appear. And our talents improve, By the patience of hope, and the labour of love. 2 Our life is a dream; our time, as a stream, And the fugitive moment refuses to stay. Rushes on to our view, and eternity's here. 3 0 that each, in the day of His coming, may say, I have fought my way through; I have finish'd the work thou didst give me to do. O that each from his Lord may receive the glad word, Well and faithfully done! Enter into my joy, and sit down on my throne. |