2 To hail thy rising Sun of life! The gath’ring nations come, Joyous as when the reapers bear Their harvest treasures home. 3 For thou our burden hast remov'd; Th’ oppressor's reign is broke; Thy fiery conflict with the foe Has burst his cruel yoke. To us the Son is giv'n; And all the hosts of heav'n. For evermore ador'd; The mighty God, and Lord. His reign no end shall know; END OF THE YEAR. (C. M.) 1 TIME hastens on; ye longing saints, Now raise your voices high; . And magnify that sov’reign love Which shows salvation nigh. 2 As time departs salvation comes, Each moment brings it near: Then welcome each declining day; Welcome each closing year. Not many mornings rise, (C. M.) St. Luke xiij. 6—9. 1 SEF, in the vineyard of the Lord, A barren fig-tree stands; Though planted by His hands. And still no fruit is found; " Why cumbers it the ground ?" 3 But lo! the gracious Saviour pleads; “ The barren fig-tree spare, “ Another year in mercy wait, “ It yet may bloom and bear: 4. “ But if my culture prove in vain, “ And still no fruit be found, “ I plead no more; destroy the tree, “ And root it from thy ground.” NEW-YEAR. (L M.) 1 THE God of life, whose constant care With blessings crowns each op'ning year, And wakes anew mine annual song. 2 How many precious souls are fled To the vast regions of the dead, Through his last yearly period run! 3 We yet survive; but who can say, “ Or through this year, or month, or day, 4 That breath is thine, eternal God; 'Tis thine to fix my soul's abode; It holds its life from thee alone, On earth, or in the world unknown. 5 To thee our spirits we resign, Make them and own them still as thine; Though death should blast the rising year. 6 Thy children panting to be gone, May bid the tide of :ime roll on, 7 No more fatigue, no more distress, Nor sin, nor hell, shall reach that place; Resounding from immortal tongues: 8 No more alarms from ghostly foes; No cares to break the long repose; (C. M.) 9 0, long expected year! begin; Dawn on this world of wo and sin"; HYMN 51, Why heaves the secret sigh? 'Tis that I mourn departed days, Still unprepard to dic, 2 The world and worldly things belov'd My anxious thoughts employ'd; And time unhallow'd, unimprov'd, Presents a fearful void. Chase from my lab’ring breast; That grace can do the rest. And when thy sure decree EPIPHANY. HYMN 52. Isaiah lii. 7–10. 1 HOW beauteous are their feet Who stand on Zion's hill ; And words of peace reveal ! 2 How charming is their voice! How sweet their tidings are! “ He reigns and triumphs here." 3 Ilow happy are our ears That hear this joyful sound, And sought, but never found, 4 How blessed are our eyes That see this heav'nly light! Prophets and kings desir'd it long, But died without the sight. 5 The watchmen join their voice, And tuneful notes employ; Jerusalem breaks forth in songs, And deserts learn the joy, (8. M.) 6 The Lord makes bare his arm Through all the earth abroad: Let every nation now behold Their Saviour and their God, HYMN 53. (II. 5.) Isaiah lx. &c. I RISE, crown'd with light, imperial Salem rise! Exalt thy tow'ring head and lift thine eyes! And break upon thee in a flood of day! See future sons and daughters yet unborn, Demanding life, impatient for the skies! Walk in thy light, and in thy temple bend! While ev'ry land its joyous tribute brings! Rocks fall to dust, and mountains melt away; (IL 6) Great David's greater Son; Hail in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun! To set the captive free, And rule in equity. To those who suffer wrong To help the poor and needy, And bid the weak be strong; To give them songs for sighing, Their darkness turn to light, Whose souls, condemn’d and dying, Were precious in his sight. Upon the fruitful earth; Spring in his path to birth : CM) Before him, on the mountains, Shall peace, the herald, go; And righteousness, in fountains, From hill to valley flow. 4 To him shall pray'r unceasing, And daily vows, ascend; A kingdom without end: His covenant remove; HYMN 55. Isaiah ii. 245. 1 O’ER mountain tops the mourt of God In latter days shall rise, Above the summits of the hills, And draw the wond'ring eyes. 2 To this the joyful nations round, All tribes and tongues, shall flow; Up to the mount of God, they'll say, And to his house we'll go. Shall lighten every land; Shall all the world command, His judgments truth shall guide; His sceptre shall protect the just, And crush the sinner's pride. 5 For peaceful implements shall men Exchange their swords and spears, Nor shall they study war again Throughout those happy years. To worship at his shrine; LENT, Litany. Low we bow th' adoring knee; (III. 1.) |