Sunday after Christmas: Close of the Year. "THE LIVING, THE LIVING, HE SHALL PRAISE THEE, AS I DO THIS DAY." 82 A little while and ye shall see me.—John xvi. 16. [D.S.M. 1 A FEW more years shall roll, A few more seasons come, 2 3 4 And we shall be with those that rest Then, O my Lord, prepare My soul for that great day; A few more suns shall set O'er these dark hills of time, And we shall be where suns are not, Then, O my Lord, prepare My soul for that bright day; A few more storms shall beat And we shall be where tempests cease, A few more struggles here, A few more toils, a few more tears, 6 Shall cheer us on our way, And we shall reach the endless rest, The eternal Sabbath day. Then, O my Lord, prepare My soul for that sweet day; And take my sins away. "Tis but a little while And he shall come again, Who died that we might live, who lives Then, O my Lord, prepare My soul for that glad day; 83 Thou art the same, and thy years shall have no [7s. 68. end.-Ps. cii. 27. 1 O GOD, the Rock of Ages, Our dwelling-place serene: O Lord, the same as now, 2 Our years are like the shadows Of things that soon are old. SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS: CLOSE OF THE YEAR. On us thy mercy lighten, The hearts thyself hast bless'd. 4 Lord, crown our faith's endeavour 84 Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.-1 Sam. vii. 12. [7s. 1 FOR thy mercy and thy grace, Faithful through another year, Hear our song of thankfulness, Father and Redeemer, hear. 2 In our weakness and distress, Rock of strength, be thou our stay: Be our true and living way. 3 Who of us death's awful road In the coming year shall tread; Fit us for the promised crown. 5 So within thy palace gate We shall praise, on golden strings, Lord of lords, and King of kings. 85 So teach us to number our days that we may apply [P.M. our hearts unto wisdom.-Ps. xc. 12. 1 DAYS and moments quickly flying Speed us onward to the dead: Oh, how soon shall we be g Each within narrow bed! Jesu, merciful Redeemer, Rouse dead souls to hear thy voice; 3 Mark we whither we are wending; 4 Life passeth soon: With thee to die, With thee to reign through eternity. 5 As a shadow life is fleeting; For the bygone years retreating 6 Wise that we our days may number, 7 Soon before the Judge all glorious 8 Life passeth soon: Till thou appear: With thee to die, With thee to reign through eternity. The Circumcision of Christ: New Year. "BY THY HOLY NATIVITY AND CIRCUMCISION, GOOD LORD, DELIVER US." 86 1 2 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. [S.M. THE year begins with thee; Thine infant cries, O Lord, Thy tears upon the breast Are not enough:-the legal sword Must do its stern behest. Pour'd on a victim's head, Are those few precious drops of thine, 4 Oh, are we born to tears, And seems it hard our vernal years 5 Look here and hold thy peace: The Giver of all good Even from the womb takes no release |