This day another year of life is fled, With ev'ry change; its gloom and beaming light, Its woes and joys all vanish'd from the sight: Yet deeds of good and evil are not dead. If ill, their record we shall see with dread O'erwhelming to our sight and wild affright, Unless through Christ our conscience is set right And his atoning blood our peace hath bred. If good our deeds, and Christ through faith our friend, Then gladly may we hail life's final day,―― The heirs of glory we when time shall end.―― In the new year be our's the bliss to say, Each truly,――"Lord, in thee my hope is strong Of thee, the Lamb, to sing heav'n's ceaseless song!" 46. TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST. Nature's idolater the mount ascends To gaze around: Jesus went up to pray; And as he pray'd, there beam'd a tenfold day, And brightness, that all earthly light transcends. What company is this, that Him attends? Celestial forms appear in pure array, And speak of suff'rings at a future day, His certain death, which shame and anguish blends. But soon the light recedes; there comes a cloud, Dark and terrific in th' apostles' eyes, And spreads its curtains round, beneath, above; And from that gloom a voice is heard most loud―― "This is my Son, who came from upper skies, My Son beloved, hear ye Him and love!" 47. SLEEPERS IN THE GRAVE-YARD. In this fair grove of thick-branch'd evergreen How many sleepers wide are scatter'd round, Having their quiet rest beneath the ground, On ev'ry side their marble tablets seen? Their sleep, now quiet, will not be, I ween, When the archangel's trumpet loud shall sound: Not one of all will then be heedless found But all will spring to life; a mingled scene Of grief, despair, and sweet and high delight. I speak not of the bad; but sure a throng Of loving friends will meet the judge's sight, Skill'd in the notes of ransom'd sinners' song.―― Shall we be with these sleepers as they rise? Say, shall we join them in yon blessed skies? 48. SONG OF THE REDEEMED. Rev. 7. Behold, before the Lamb, before God's throne In robes of white a countless multitude, All bearing palms, in glorious order stood, From ev'ry tribe and tongue by goodness won; Their voices high are join'd, as if but one; All cry aloud――Salvation to our God, And to the glorious Lamb, whose precious blood For all our deepest sins did once atone! Then fell the angels prostrate, and they said―― While with enraptur'd hearts they God adore, And to the Lamb of sacrifice they bend―― "Let honor, glory, blessing, thanks be paid, All might, and wisdom, majesty, and power Unto our God for ages without end!" 49. NATURE REPROVED.