The shortness and uncertainty of life. 1 SOON with resistless arm shall Death And summon man to yield his breath 2 Like crowded forest trees we stand, 3 Green as the bay-tree, ever green, The gay, the thoughtless, I have seen: 4 No present health can health insure No human power at length secure, 5 Lord! teach us henceforth so to live, That in thy strength we now may strive 6 And since the fatal shafts of death Prepare us to resign our breath, * Ps. xxxvii. 35-38. On hearing a passing-bell. 1 HARK! 'tis the bell with solemn toll, From earth, to realms of endless day, 2 "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," 3 O well! for if uncleansed from guilt 4 To live through an eternal death, Father of mercy! God of Grace! 5" From sin, the sting of death and hell, From enmity to Thee, Extend thine own all-powerful arm, 6 So when the bell with solemn toll HYMN 108. (C. M. BROMSGROVE.) Exhortation against the fear of death. 1 BEHOLD, ye saints! the purchased gift Of your Redeemer's blood! A crown of life, reserved in heaven, 2 A sinful world and wicked heart 2 But fear not ye, who trust in Christ 4 Take the whole armour of your God; Gird on the Spirit's conquering sword; 5 Under the banners of your King, And you shall more than conquerors prove, Though death and hell oppose. 6 Then courage take, ye fearful saints! Your future triumphs sing! 66 "O grave! where is thy victory? O death! where is thy sting?" HYMN 109. (C. M. OLNEY.) For a new year. 1 Now, gracious Lord! thine arm reveal, 2 Help us to come before thy throne, 3 From all the guilt of former sin 4 Send down thy Spirit from above, 5 And when before Thee we appear May growing numbers worship here, (L. M. ROME.) On the new year. 1 How many kindred souls are fled To the vast regions of the dead, Since from this day the changing sun Through his last yearly period run! 2 We yet survive :-but who can say, "Or through this year, or month, or day, I will retain this vital breath, Thus far at least in league with death ?" 3 That breath is thine, Eternal God 'Tis thine to fix the soul's abode : It holds its life from Thee alone, On earth, or in the world unknown. 4 To Thee our spirits we resign; HYMN 111. (s. M. CRANBROOK.) At the close of a year. 1 LET hearts and tongues unite, 3 In childhood, and in youth, 4 Now through another year We raise our Ebenezer here; 5 Our state in future years, Since we cannot forsee, 6 O may we all then cast Our care upon the Lord! *Sam. vii. 12. |