4 What num'rous crimes increasing rise
Through this most sinful isle!
What land so favour'd of the skies,
And yet what land so vile !
5 O turn us, turn us, mighty Lord,
By thy constraining grace;
Then shall our hearts obey thy word,
And humbly seek thy face.
6 Then should insulting foes invade,
We need not yield to fear;
Secure of never-failing aid,
If God, our God, be near.
1 GREAT God, we sing that mighty hand,
By which supported still we stand;
The opening year thy mercy shews:
Let mercy crown it till it close.
2 By day, by night, at home, abroad,
Still we are guarded by our God;
By his incessant bounty fed,
By his unerring counsel led.
3 With grateful hearts the past we own;
The future (all to us unknown)
We to thy guardian care commit,
And peaceful leave before thy feet.
4 In scenes exalted or depress'd,
Be thou our joy, and thou our rest;
Thy goodness all our hopes shall raise,
Through all our future changing days.
WHAT favours all divine !
What mercies do we share !
What blessings all around us shine
To open this new year!
2 Our past misdeeds forgive,
Our souls divinely cheer,
And help us to thy glory live,
Dear Lord, through this new year.
Prepare us for thy will,
Whatever may appear,
And let thy loving-kindness still
Preserve us through the year.
Confirm our souls in thee,
In faith and holy fear,
And let the dear Redeemer be
Our song through all the year.
as a black o'erspreading cloud
Has darken'd all the air,
And peals of thunder roaring loud
Proclaim the tempest near;
2 Then guilt and fear, the fruits of sin,
The sinner oft pursue :
A louder storm is heard within,
And conscience thunders too.
3 But when the sky serene appears,
And thunders roll no more,
He soon forgets his vows and tears,
Just as he did before.
4 But whither shall the sinner flee,
When nature's mighty frame,
The pond'rous earth, and air, and sea,
Shall all dissolve in flame ?
5 Lord, let thy mercy find a way
To touch the sinner's heart,
That he may never hear thee say,
"Thou cursed one, depart."
6 Believers, you may well rejoice!
The thunder's loudest strains,
Should be to you a welcome voice,
That tells you, "Jesus reigns."
836. Our Times in the hand of God.
1 SOVEREIGN Ruler of the skies!
Ever gracious, ever wise!
All my times are in thy hand-
All events at thy command.
2 His decree who form'd the earth:
Fix'd my first and second birth:
Parents, native place, and time-
All appointed were by him.
3 Times of sickness, times of health;
Times of penury and wealth;
Times of trial and of grief;
Times of triumph and relief:
4 Times the tempter's power to prove ;
Times to taste the Saviour's love:
All must come, and last, and end,
As shall please my heavenly Friend.
5 Plagues and deaths around me fly;
Till he bids I cannot die :
Not a single shaft can hit,
Till the God of love sees fit.
6 Thee, at all times will I bless :
Having Christ I all possess ;
How can I bereaved be,
Since I have my all in thee?
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1 GREAT God of order, truth, and grace,
Fountain of social joys,
Shine with thy sweet approving smile,
And crown the nuptial ties.
2 Look on the now united pair,
Do thou the union bless;
Here may true friendship ever reign,
In firmest bonds of peace.
3 May each the other kindly help,
To run the shining road;
Join with delight in prayer and praise,
And ever cleave to God.
4 May both be fill'd with one concern,
For one eternal prize,
And warmest zeal their souls inflame,
For joys beyond the skies.
5 One be their view, their aim, their end,
Pure heavenly bliss to prove,
Meeting at last around the throne,
To reign in realms of love.
1 LORD, on thy servants kindly look,
And send thy blessing down;
Come, and most tenderly unite,
Their happy souls in one.
2 Let the pure love of Jesus bind
The solemn nuptial ties;
Let kindness triumph in each heart,
And mutual joy arise.
3 0 may they draw each other on,
To seek thy promised grace;
Sweetly confirm their souls in thee,
To dwell in endless peace.
4 Soon may we taste the marriage feast,
With all the saints above,
Where all the ransom'd shall be fill'd,
With pure eternal love.
1 OUR Jesus freely did appear,
To grace a marriage feast;
And, Lord, we ask thy presence here,
To make a wedding-guest.
2 Upon the bridal pair look down,
Who now have plighted hands;
Their union with thy favour crown,
And bless the nuptial bands.
3 With gifts of grace their hearts endow,
Of all rich dowries best!
Their substance bless, and peace bestow,
To sweeten all the rest.
4 True helpers may they prove indeed
In prayer, and faith, and hope;
And see with joy a godly seed,
To build thy household up.
1 SINCE thou hast joined us, gracious Lord,
In wedlock to abide,
May we, in heart, with one accord,
In love each other guide.
2 Lord, may we strive in love to be
Each other's faithful friend;
And may we thy salvation see,
Till time with us shall end.
3 May strife and vain contention be
For ever out of sight;
And may we worship only thee,
At morning, noon, and night.
4 And when our work below is done,
O may we ready stand;
Then, dearest Lord, receive us home,
To dwell at thy right hand.
Prayer for Children.
1 GREAT God, now condescend
To bless our rising race;
Soon may their willing spirits bend
To thy victorious grace!
2 Dear Lord, thy Spirit pour
Upon our infant seed;
O bring the longed-for happy hour
That makes them thine indeed.
3 May they receive thy word,
Confess the Saviour's name,
Then follow their despised LORD
Through the baptismal stream.
4 Then with thy favoured race
Surround the sacred board,
There to adore thy sovereign grace,
And sing their dying LORD.
Christ's regard for Children.
1 SEE Israel's gentle Shepherd stands,
With all-engaging charms;
Hark! how he calls the tender lambs,
And folds them in his arms!
2" Permit them to approach,” he cries,
Nor scorn their humble name;
For 'twas to bless such souls as these,
The Lord of angels came.
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