827.

Winter.

L.M.

I.
'TIS
IS winter now: the fallen snow

Has left the heavens all coldly clear :
Through leafless boughs the sharp wind blows,

And all the earth lies dead and drear. 2. And yet Thy love is not withdrawn;

Thy life within the keen air breathes,
Thy beauty paints the crimson dawn,

And clothes the boughs with glittring wreaths. 3. And though abroad the shårp wind blow,

And skies are chill, and frosts are keen,
Home closer draws her circle now,

And warmer glows her light within. 4. O God, who giv'st the winter's cold

As well as summer's joyous rays,
Still warmly in Thine arms enfold,
And keep us through life's wintry days !

S. Longfellow.

828.

The Changing Seasons. 7.6.7.6. D. 1. LORD of the silent winter,

Beneath whose skies of gray,
The frost-bound fields lie cheerless,

But wait a brighter day :
If human hearts are dreary,

By mists of sorrow chilled,
Give patience to the weary,

Till they with peace be filled !
2. Lord of the joyous spring-time,-

When leaves and buds appear,
And lengthening days of beauty

Renew the softened year :

Breathe on our hearts in blessing ;

Away our sadness roll;
And send, all pain redressing,

A spring-time to the soul !
3. Lord of the glowing summer,

When waves the corn on high,
And fruits in valleys ripen,

Beneath a cloudless sky:
Shine on our hearts' endeavour

To give our strength to Thee,
That in our spirits ever

A richer life may be !
4. Lord of the bounteous autumn,-

When vineyards yield their store,
And golden sheaves, new-gathered,

Pass to the garner door :
Grant now a full fruition

To every seed of truth,
Which fell, with blessed mission,

Upon our souls in youth !
5. Lord of the changing seasons !

Lord of our passing days !
Wake Thou in us abundance

Of duty, love, and praise :
That hearts of wintry sadness

May feel the breath of spring,
And summer's time of gladness
The autumn glories bring !

Dendy Agate.

829.

75.

His Year of Wonder.
PRAISE to God, and thanksgiving !

Hearts, bow down; and voices, sing

I.

Praises to the Glorious One,
All His year of wonder done!

2. Praise Hirn for His budding green,

April's resurrection-scene;
Praise Him for His shining hours,
Starring all the land with flowers !

3. Praise Him for His summer rain,

Feeding, day and night, the grain ;
Praise Him for His tiny seed,
Holding all His world shall need !

4. Praise Him for His garden root,

Meadow grass and orchard fruit;
Praise for hills and valleys broad, -
Each the table of the Lord !

5. Praise Him now for snowy rest,

Falling soft on Nature's breast;
Praise for happy dreams of birth,
Brooding in the quiet earth!

6. For His year of wonder done,

Praise to the All-Glorious One !
Hearts, bow down ; and voices, sing
Praise and love and thanksgiving !

W. C. Gannett,

830.

Another Year.

75

1. FOR Thy mercy and Thy grace,

Constant 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 ;
In the pathless wilderness

Be our true and living Way.
3. Who of us death's awful road

In the coming year shall tread ?
With Thy rod and staff, O God,

Comfort Thou his dying bed.

4. Keep us faithful, keep us pure,

Keep us evermore Thine own;
Help, O help us to endure;
Fit us for the promised crown.

H. Downton.

L.M.

831.

Thankfulness.
1. 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 throughout our changing days.

5. When death shall interrupt these songs,

And seal in silence mortal tongues,
Our Helper, God, in whom we trust,
Shall keep our souls and guard our dust.

P. Doddridge.

832.

Mid-night Service. 8.7.8.7.8.8.7.
ACROSS the sky, the shades of night

This winter's eve are fleeting ;
We deck Thine house, O Lord, with light,

In solemn worship meeting :
And as the year's last hours go by,
We lift to Thee our earnest cry,

Once more Thy love entreating.
2. Before Thy mercy, Lord, we bow,

To Thee our prayers addressing;
Recounting all Thy mercies now,

And all our sins confessing ;
Beseeching Thee, this coming year,
To hold us in Thy faith and fear,

And crown us with Thy blessing.
3. We gather up, in this brief hour,

The memory of Thy mercies;
Thy wondrous goodness, love, and power,

Our grateful song rehearses :
For.Thou hast been our Strength and Stay,
In many a dark and dreary day

Of sorrow and reverses.
4. Then, O great God, in years to come,

Whatever fate betide us,
Right onward through our journey home,

Be Thou at hand to guide us :