3.

4.

Let the Redeemer's blood,
Diffuse its virtues wide;

Hallow and cleanse our every gift,

And all our follies hide.

O may this sacrifice,

To Thee, the Lord ascend;
An odour of a sweet perfume,
Presented by His hand.

5. Well pleased, our God shall view
The products of his grace;
And in a plentiful reward,
Fulfil his promises.

448

TIMES AND SEASONS.

L. M. Morning Hymn. HAWKESWORTH.

IN sleep's serene oblivion laid,

I safely passed the silent night; Again I see the breaking shade, I drink again the morning light. 2. New-born, I bless the waking hour, Once more, with awe, rejoice to be; My conscious soul resumes her power, And springs, my guardian God, to Thee! 3. O guide me through the various maze, My doubtful feet are doomed to tread ; And spread Thy shield's protecting blaze, Where dangers press around my head.

4. A deeper shade shall soon impend,
A deeper sleep mine eyes oppress;
Yet then Thy strength shall still defend,
Thy goodness still delight to bless.
5. That deeper shade shall break away,
That deeper sleep shall leave mine eyes;
Thy light shall give eternal day--
Thy love, the rapture of the skies!

SECOND PART.

448

C. M. The same.

STEELE

LORD of my life, O may Thy praise
Employ my noblest powers,
Whose goodness lengthens out my days,
And fills the circling hours!

2. Preserved by thy almighty arm,
I passed the shades of night,
Serene, and safe from every harm,
And see returning light.

3. When sleep, death's semblance o'er me spread, And I unconscious lay,

Thy watchful care was round my bed,
To guard my feeble clay.

4. O let the same almighty care,

My waking hours attend ;
From every danger, every snare,
My heedless steps defend.

5. Smile on my minutes as they roll,
And guide my future days;
And let thy goodness fill my soul
With gratitude and praise.

449

C. M. Evening Hymn.

NOW from the altar of our hearts,
Let incense flames arise;

Assist us, Lord, to offer up,
Our evening sacrifice.
2. Minutes and mercies multiplied,
Have made up all this day:

MASON.

Minutes came quick; but mercies were
More fleet and free than they.

3. New time, new favour, and new joys,
Do a new song require;

Till we shall praise thee as we would,
Accept our hearts' desire.

4. Lord of our time, whose hand hath set
New time upon our score;

Thee may we praise for all our time,
When time shall be no more,

449

SECOND PART.

L. M. The same.

EDMESTON.

ANOTHER day has passed along,
And we are nearer to the tomb;
Nearer to join the heavenly throng,
Or hear the last eternal doom.

2. These moments of departing day,
When thought is calm, and labours cease,
Are surely solemn times to pray,
To ask for pardon and for peace!

3. Thou God of mercy! swift to hear,
More swift than man to tell his need,
Be Thou to us this evening near,
And to thy fount our spirits lead.

4. Teach us to pray-and having taught,
Grant us the blessings that we crave;
Without Thy teaching, prayer is nought,
But with it-powerful to save.

450 L. M. Commencing a new Year. Doddridge. GREAT God, we sing that mighty hand, By which supported still we stand;

The opening year Thy mercy shows;
That mercy crowns it till it close.

2. By day, by night, at home, abroad,
Still are we 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 depressed,
Thou art our joy, and thou our rest:
Thy goodness all our hopes shall raise,
Adored through all our changing days.
5. When death shall interrupt these songs,
And seal in silence mortal tongues,
Our helper, God, in whom we trust,
In better worlds our souls shall boast.

451

C. M. The same.

C. WESLEY.

SING to the great Jehovah's praise!
All praise to Him belongs:

Who kindly lengthens out our days,
Demands our choicest songs.

2. His providence has brought us through
Another various year:

We all with vows and anthems new,
Before our God appear.

3. Father, thy mercies past we own,
Thy still-continued care;

To Thee, presenting through thy Son,
Whate'er we have or are.

4. Our lips and lives shall daily show
The wonders of thy love,
While on in Jesu's steps we go,
To see Thy face above.

5. Our residue of days or hours,
Thine, wholly thine, shall be;
And all our consecrated powers,
A sacrifice to Thee.

452 S. M. The Close of the Year.

NEWTON.

LET hearts and tongues unite,
And loud thanksgivings raise;

"Tis duty mingled with delight, To sing the Saviour's praise. 2. Now through another year, Supported by His care;

3.

We raise our Ebenezer here,
'The Lord has helped thus far.'

Our lot in future years
Unable to foresee,

He kindly, to prevent our fears,

Says, Leave it all to me.'