A New Year. 1 Our Father! through the coming year We know not what shall be, But we would leave without a fear Its ordering all to Thee. 2 It may be we shall toil in vain For what the world holds fair, And all its good we thought to gain Deceive, and prove but care. 3 It may be it shall darkly blend Our love with anxious fears, And snatch away the valued friend, The tried of many years. 4 It may be it shall bring us days And nights of lingering pain, And bid us take our farewell gaze Of these loved haunts of men. 5 But calmly, Lord, on Thee we rest; No fears our trust shall move; Thou knowest what for each is best, And Thou art perfect love. 391. 7s. M. Anonymous. The God of Spring. 1 Praise and thanks and cheerful love Rise from everything below, To the mighty One above, Who his wondrous love doth show: Praise him, each created thing! God, your Father! God of spring! 2 Praise him, trees so lately bare; Praise him, fresh and new-born flowers; All ye creatures of the air; All ye soft-descending showers: Praise, with each awakening thing, Praise your Maker,--God of spring! 3 Praise him, man!--thy fitful heart Let this balmy season move To employ its noblest part, Softest mercy, sweetest love,-- Blessing, with each living thing, God the bounteous,--God of spring! 392. 7 & 6s. M. W. V. Spring. 1 There cometh o'er the spirit, With each returning year, The thought that Thou, the Father, Art ever to us near; With hope of life dispelling The death that winter brought; And flowers and fruits foretelling, With fragrant beauty fraught. 2 'Tis this which calls Thy children In sweet accord to raise, Beneath thy blue-domed temple, One general hymn of praise To Thee, the ever-living, The universal King, Who never ceasest giving Each good and perfect thing. 3 The streamlet from the mountain,-- It speaketh, Lord, of Thee, As from its snow-capped fountain It rushes to the sea; The gentle dew descending, And cloud's refreshing shower,-- O God, our Heavenly Father, All, all, proclaim Thy power. 393. 8 & 7s. M. Anonymous. Hymn of Spring. 1 Praise the Lord, when blushing morning Wakes the blossoms fresh with dew! When the world, again created, Beams with beauties fair and new! 2 Praise the Lord, when early breezes Come so fragrant from the flowers! Praise, thou willow by the brookside! Praise, ye birds, among the bowers!