Part 30

1 While, with ceaseless course, the sun Hasted through the former year, Many souls their race have run, Never more to meet us here: Fixed in an eternal state, They have done with all below: We a little longer wait, But how little none can know.

2 As the wingéd 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: Upward, Lord, our spirits raise; All below is but a dream.

3 Thanks for mercies past receive; Pardon of our sins renew; Teach us, henceforth, how to live, With eternity in view; Bless thy word to old and young; Fill us with a Saviour's love; When our life's short race is run, May we dwell with thee above.

889. L. M. Doddridge.

The Same.

1 My helper, God, I bless his name; The same his power, his grace the same; The tokens of his friendly care Open, and crown, and close, the year.

2 I 'midst ten thousand dangers stand, Supported by his guardian hand, And see, when I survey my ways, Ten thousand monuments of praise.

3 Thus far his arm hath led me on; Thus far I make his mercy known; And, while I tread this mortal land, New mercies shall new songs demand.

890. C. M. Heginbotham.

New Year. Providential Goodness.

1 God of our lives, thy various praise Our voices shall resound: Thy hand directs our fleeting days, And brings the seasons round.

2 To thee shall grateful songs arise, Our Father and our Friend, Whose constant mercies from the skies In genial streams descend.

3 In every scene of life, thy care, In every age, we see; And constant as thy favors are, So let our praises be.

4 Still may thy love, in every scene, In every age, appear; And let the same compassion deign To bless the opening year.

5 If mercy smile, let mercy bring Our wandering souls to God: In our affliction we shall sing, If thou wilt bless the rod.

891. L. M. John Fawcett.

"He holdeth our soul in life."

1 O God, my helper, ever near! Crown with thy smile the present year; Preserve me by thy favor still, And fit me for thy sacred will.

2 My safety, each succeeding hour, Depends on thy supporting power: Accept my thanks for mercies past, And be my guard, while life shall last.

3 My moments move with wingéd haste, Nor know I which shall be the last: Danger and death are ever nigh, And I this year perhaps may die.

4 Prepare me for the trying day; Then call my willing soul away: I'll quit the world at thy command, And trust my spirit to thy hand.

892. C. M. Newton.

New Year. Prayer for a Blessing.

1 Now, gracious Lord, thine arm reveal, And make thy glory known; Now let us all thy presence feel, And soften hearts of stone.

2 From all the guilt of former sin May mercy set us free; And let the year we now begin, Begin and end with thee.

3 Send down thy spirit from above, That saints may love thee more, And sinners now may learn to love, Who never loved before.

4 And when before thee we appear, In our eternal home, May growing numbers worship here, And praise thee in our room.

893. C. M. Bp. Middleton.

Self-Examination. New Year.

1 As o'er the past my memory strays, Why heaves the secret sigh? 'Tis that I mourn departed days, Still unprepared to die.

2 The world, and worldly things beloved, My anxious thoughts employed; And time unhallowed, unimproved, Presents a fearful void.

3 Yet, Holy Father! wild despair Chase from my laboring breast; Thy grace it is which prompts the prayer. That grace can do the rest.

4 My life's brief remnant all be thine; And when thy sure decree Bids me this fleeting breath resign, O speed my soul to thee!

894. 7s. M. Newton.

Invocation. New Year.

1 Bless, O Lord, each opening year To the souls assembling here: Clothe thy word with power divine, Make us willing to be thine.

2 Where thou hast thy work begun, Give new strength the race to run; Scatter darkness, doubts, and fears, Wipe away the mourners' tears.

3 Bless us all, both old and young; Call forth praise from every tongue: Let our whole assembly prove All thy power and all thy love!

895. C. M. Browne.

The Closing Year.

1 And now, my soul, another year Of my short life is past: I cannot long continue here; And this may be my last.

2 Part of my doubtful life is gone, Nor will return again; And swift my fleeting moments run-- The few which yet remain!

3 Awake, my soul! with all thy care Thy true condition learn; What are thy hopes--how sure, how fair, And what thy great concern?

4 Now a new space of life begins, Set out afresh for heaven; Seek pardon for thy former sins, Through Christ, so freely given.

5 Devoutly yield thyself to God, And on his grace depend; With zeal pursue the heavenly road, Nor doubt a happy end.

896. 7s. M. Anonymous.

The Same.

1 Time by moments steals away, First the hour and then the day; Small the daily loss appears, Yet it soon amounts to years.

2 Thus another year is flown; Now it is no more our own, If it brought or promised good, Than the years before the flood.

3 But may none of us forget It has left us much in debt; Who can tell the vast amount Placed to every one's account!

4 Favors, from the Lord received, Sins, that have his spirit grieved, Marked by an unerring hand, In his book recorded stand.

5 If we see another year, May thy blessing meet us here: Sun of righteousness, arise, Warm our hearts and bless our eyes.

897. C. M. Watts.

The Same.

1 Time! what an empty vapor 'tis! And days, how swift they are! Swift as an Indian arrow flies, Or like a shooting star.

2 The present moments just appear, Then slide away in haste; That we can never say, they're here; But only say, they're past.

3 Our life is ever on the wing, And death is ever nigh; The moment when our lives begin We all begin to die.

4 Yet, mighty God! our fleeting days Thy lasting favors share; Yet, with the bounties of thy grace, Thou load'st the rolling year.

5 'Tis sovereign mercy finds us food, And we are clothed with love; While grace stands pointing out the road Which leads our souls above.

898. L. M. Watts.

God eternal, and Man mortal. Ps. 90.

1 Through every age, eternal God, Thou art our rest, our safe abode! High was thy throne ere heaven was made, Or earth thy humble footstool laid.

2 Long hadst thou reigned ere time began, Or dust was fashioned into man; And long thy kingdom shall endure, When earth and time shall be no more.

3 A thousand of our years amount Scarce to a day in thine account; Like yesterday's departed light, Or the last watch of ending night.

4 Death, like an overflowing stream, Sweeps us away; our life's a dream, An empty tale, a morning flower Cut down and withered in an hour.

899. L. M. Doddridge.

The Closing Year.

1 God of our life! thy constant care With blessings crowns each opening year: These lives so frail thy love prolongs; Be this the burden of our songs.

2 How many precious souls are fled To the vast regions of the dead, Since, from this day, the changing sun Through his last yearly course has run!

3 We yet survive, but who can say, Or through the year, or month, or day, We shall retain this vital breath, Secure from all the shafts of death?

4 We hold our lives from thee alone, On earth, or in the worlds unknown; To thee our spirits we resign, Make them and own them all as thine.

5 Great Source of wisdom, teach my heart To know the price of every hour, That time may bear me on to joys Beyond its measure and its power.

900. C. M.

The Same.

1 Mark how the swift-winged minutes fly, And hours still hasten on! How swift the circling months run round! How soon the year is gone!

2 How is our debt of love increased To that sustaining Power, Who hath upheld our feeble frame, And blest each rolling hour.

3 For all thy favors, O our God, Thy goodness we adore; Thou hast our cup with blessings filled, And made that cup run o'er.

4 What shall befall in future life, We would not, Lord, inquire: To be prepared for all thy will. Be this our chief desire.

901. 8s. & 7s. M. Estlin.

Reliance for the Future.

1 Gracious Source of every blessing! Guard our breasts from anxious fears; May we still thy love possessing, Sink into the vale of years.

2 All our hopes on thee reclining, Peace companion of our way; May our sun, in smiles declining, Rise in everlasting day.

SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC WORSHIP.

902. C. M. Ancient Hymns.

The Joy of Social Worship.

1 How good and pleasant is the sight, How great the bliss they share, When Christ's assembled flock unite In acts of social prayer! God thither, with paternal care, His face benignant bends; And Jesus, by his spirit there, On faithful hearts descends.

2 To such, by hallowed lips expressed, His grace confirms his word, As once Cornelius' house it blest, From holy Peter heard: On prayer and praise, in faith preferred, His heavenly dew is shed; And he to all, who come prepared, Dispenses heavenly bread.

3 To God, adored in ages past, Enthroned in majesty,-- To God, whose worship aye shall last Throughout eternity,-- To thee, Great God, we bend the knee, And in the Holy Ghost, Through Christ, all glory give to thee, With all thy heavenly host.

903. C. M. Ancient Hymns.

The Joy of Social Devotion.

1 O, it is joy in one to meet Whom one communion blends, Council to hold in converse sweet, And talk as Christian friends.

2 'Tis joy to think the angel train, Who 'mid heaven's temple shine, To seek our earthly temples deign, And in our anthems join.

3 But chief, 'tis joy to think that He, To whom his church is dear, Delights her gathered flock to see, Her joint devotions hear.

4 Then who would choose to walk abroad, While here such joys are given? "This is indeed the house of God, And this the gate of heaven!"

904. 7s. M. Anonymous.

For a Prayer Meeting.

1 Father, hear us when we pray, Look in mercy from above; Turn not, Lord, thy face away, Hear, and grant thy pardoning love.

2 In the name of Christ we come, Asking grace and seeking peace, Raise our hearts to heaven, our home, And from worldly cares release.

3 Pure and holy may we be, Far removed all vain desire; From all hate and envy free, Let our souls to thee aspire.

4 While we love the Saviour's name, And his words with zeal obey, His sweet promise we may claim;-- "He will meet us when we pray."

905. 7s. M. Methodist Coll.

Call to Social Worship.

1 Let us join, as God commands, Let us join our hearts and hands, Help to gain our calling's hope; Help to build each other up; Carry on the Christian's strife; Walk in holiness of life; Faithfully our gifts improve For the sake of him we love;--

2 Still forget the things behind; Follow Christ in heart and mind; Toward the mark unwearied press; Seize the crown of righteousness, While we walk with God in light, God our hearts will still unite; Dearest fellowship we prove-- Fellowship in Jesus, love.

3 Still, O Lord, our faith increase; Cleanse from all unrighteousness: Thee th' unholy cannot see: Make, O make us meet for thee: Every vile affection kill; Root out every seed of ill; Utterly abolish sin; Write thy law of love within.

906. C. M. Ancient Hymns.

Call to Social Worship.

1 O, come, and let th' assembly all To serve our God unite, And, mindful of the social call, Partake the social rite.

2 In token of the common vow, Be ours, with one consent, The worship of the lowly brow, And knees devoutly bent!

3 But chief, inflamed with heavenly fire, Devotion's better part, Be ours instinct with one desire, The worship of the heart!

4 Let each, let all, their prayers above, In one oblation bend, And God, the God of peace and love, On all, on each descend!

907. C. M. Methodist Coll.

Call to Worship.

1 Father, united by thy grace, And each to each endeared With confidence we seek thy face, And know our prayer is heard.

2 Still let us own our common Lord, And bear his easy yoke, A band of love, a three-fold cord Which never can be broke.

3 Make us into one spirit drink; Baptize into one name; And let us always kindly think, And sweetly speak the same.

4 Touched by the loadstone of thy love, Let all our hearts agree; And ever towards each other move, And ever move towards thee.

908. 7s. M. Wesley's Coll.

For Brotherly Love.

1 God of love, we look to thee; Let us in thy Son agree; Show to us the Prince of Peace; Bid our jars forever cease. By thy reconciling love, Every stumbling-block remove; Each to each unite, endear; Come, and spread thy banner here.

2 Make us of one heart and mind, Courteous, pitiful, and kind; Lowly, meek, in thought and word, Altogether like our Lord. Let us for each other care; Each the other's burden bear; To thy church the pattern give; Show how true believers live.

3 Free from anger and from pride, Let us thus in God abide; All the depths of love express, All the heights of holiness. Let us, then, with joy remove To the family above; On the wings of angels fly; Show how true believers die.

909. L. M. Newton.

Meeting of Christian Friends.

1 Kindred in Christ, for his dear sake, A hearty welcome here receive; May we together now partake The joys which only he can give.

2 May he by whose kind care we meet, Send his good Spirit from above, Make our communications sweet, And cause our hearts to burn with love.

3 Forgotten be each worldly theme, When Christians meet together thus; We only wish to speak of him Who lived, and died, and reigns, for us.

4 We'll talk of all he did, and said, And suffered, for us here below, The path he marked for us to tread, And what he's doing for us now.

910. L. M. Cowper.

For Social Worship.

1 Our God, where'er thy people meet, There they behold thy mercy-seat; Where'er they seek thee, thou art found, And every place is hallowed ground.

2 For thou, within no walls confined, Inhabitest the humble mind; Such ever bring thee where they come, And, going, take thee to their home.

3 Here may we prove the power of prayer To strengthen faith, and sweeten care; To teach our faint desires to rise, And bring all heaven before our eyes.

4 Lord, we are few, but thou art near; Nor short thine arm, nor deaf thine ear: O, rend the heavens, comes quickly down, And make a thousand hearts thine own!

911. L. M. Ancient Hymns.

Commendatory of Christian Union.

1 Blest with unearthly bliss were they Who saw the church's infant day, And strove their Christian part to bear, By sign and spirit joined with her.

2 The truth, which Christ's apostles taught, Then ruled each faithful convert's thought; Each aimed in unity to keep Unrent th' apostles' fellowship.

3 The bread, with rites harmonious broke, The union of all hearts bespoke; And prayer, with lips united prayed, The union of all minds displayed.

4 O thus that Christians still would live, And thus delightful witness give, How well the debt of love they know, To Christ and to his church they owe!

912. 6s. & 8s. M. Methodist Coll.

For Union.

1 Thou God of truth and love, We seek thy perfect way, Ready thy choice t' approve, Thy providence t' obey; Enter into thy wise design, And sweetly lose our will in thine.

2 Why hast thou cast our lot In the same age and place? And why together brought To see each other's face? To join with softest sympathy, And mix our friendly souls in thee?

3 Didst thou not make us one, That we might one remain, Together travel on, And bear each other's pain; Till all thy utmost goodness prove And rise renewed in perfect love?

913. 7s. M. Methodist Coll.

For Union of Heart.

1 God, from whom all blessings flow, Perfecting the saints below, Hear us, who thy nature share, Who thy loving children are. Join us, in one spirit join, Let us still receive of thine: Still for more on thee we call, Thou who fillest all in all!

2 Closer knit us to our Head; Nourish us, in Christ, and feed; Let us daily growth receive, More and more in Jesus live. Move, and actuate, and guide; Divers gifts to each divide: Placed according to thy will, Let us all our work fulfil;

3 Sweetly may we all agree, Touched with softest sympathy; Kindly for each other care; Every member feel its share. Love, like death, hath all destroyed, Rendered our distinctions void! Names, and sects, and parties fall: Thou, O God, art all in all!

914. C. M. Milton.

The Blessedness of the Devout.

1 How lovely are thy dwellings, Lord, From noise and trouble free; How beautiful the sweet accord Of souls that pray to thee.

2 Lord God of hosts, that reign'st on high, They are the truly blest, Who only will on thee rely, In thee alone will rest.

3 They pass refreshed the thirsty vale, The dry and barren ground, As through a fruitful, watery dale, Where springs and showers abound.

4 They journey on from strength to strength, With joy and gladsome cheer, Till all before our God at length. In Zion do appear.

5 For God, the Lord, both sun and shield, Gives grace and glory bright; No good from him shall be withheld Whose ways are just and right.

915. C. M. Wesley's Coll.

For Mutual Edification.

1 Help us to help each other, Lord, Each other's cross to bear! Let each his friendly aid afford, And feel his brother's care.

2 Help us to build each other up; Our little stock improve; Increase our faith, confirm our hope, And perfect us in love.

3 Up into thee, our living Head, Let us in all things grow, Till thou hast made us free indeed, And spotless here below.

916. 7s. M. Methodist Coll.

Invocation.

1 Father, at thy footstool see Those who now are one in thee: Draw us by thy grace alone; Give, O give us to thy Son.

2 Jesus, friend of human kind, Let us in thy name be joined; Each to each unite and bless; Keep us still in perfect peace.

3 Heavenly, all-alluring Dove, Shed thy overshadowing love; Love, the sealing grace impart; Dwell within our single heart.

917. C. M. Anonymous.

The Love of the Brethren.

1 A holy air is breathing round, A savor from above; Be every soul from sense unbound, Be every spirit love.

2 O God, unite us heart to heart, In sympathy divine, That we be never drawn apart, And love nor thee nor thine.

3 But, by the cross of Jesus taught, And all thy gracious word, Be nearer to each other brought, And nearer to our Lord.

918. C. M. Watts.

Christian Union.

1 Lo! what an entertaining sight Those friendly brethren prove, Whose cheerful hearts in bands unite Of harmony and love!

2 Where streams of bliss from Christ, the spring, Descend to every soul, And heavenly peace, with balmy wing, Shades and bedews the whole.

3 'Tis pleasant as the morning dews That fall on Zion's hill, Where God his mildest glory shows, And makes his grace distil.

919. S. M. Sacred Lyrics.

Morning Prayer Meeting.

1 How sweet the melting lay, Which breaks upon the ear, When, at the hour of rising day, Christians unite in prayer!

2 The breezes waft their cries Up to Jehovah's throne; He listens to their humble sighs, And sends his blessings down.

3 So Jesus rose to pray Before the morning light,-- Once on the chilling mount did stay, And wrestle all the night.

4 Glory to God on high, Who sends his blessings down To rescue souls condemned to die, And make his people one.

920. C. M. Ancient Hymns.

Social Evening Worship.

1 O, 'Tis a scene the heart to move, When, at the close of day, Whom God unites in Christian love Unite their thanks to pay.

2 What though the number be but small; Whenever two or three Join on the Saviour's name to call, There in the midst is he.

3 When faithful and repentant hearts His heavenly grace ensue, His grace, intreated, he imparts To many or to few.

4 O, come, then, and, with joint accord, In social worship meet; And, mindful of the Saviour's word, The Saviour's boon intreat.

921. 7s. M. Newton.

Parting Hymn.

1 For a season called to part, Let us then ourselves commend To the gracious eye and heart Of our ever-present Friend.

2 Father, hear our humble prayer! Tender shepherd of thy sheep, Let thy mercy and thy care All our souls in safety keep.

3 In thy strength may we be strong; Sweeten every cross and pain; Give us, if we live, ere long, Here to meet in peace again.

922. C. M. Methodist Coll.

The Same.

1 Through thee we now together came, In singleness of heart; We met, O, Jesus, in thy name, And in thy name we part.

2 We part in body, not in mind; Our minds continue one; And, each to each in Jesus joined, We hand in hand go on.

3 Present we still in spirit are, And intimately nigh, While on the wings of faith and prayer We each to other fly.

4 Our life is hid with Christ in God; Our life shall soon appear, And shed his glory all abroad In all his members here.

923. L. M. Doddridge.

The Christian Farewell.