6. Ye must prevail at last, for ye Have now become God’s family; To God forever give ye praise, Patient and cheerful all your days. Martin Luther, 1543; R. Massie, tr., a. END OF YEAR. 163 7s 8 l While with ceaseless course the sun Hasted through the former year, Many souls their race have run, Nevermore 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 wingèd 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 young and old, Fill us with a Savior’s love; And when life’s short tale is told, May we dwell with Thee above. John Newton, 1774. 164 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7 (Iambic) Across the sky the shades of night This winter’s eve are fleeting; We deck Thine altar, Lord, with light, In solemn worship meeting; And as the year’s last hours go by, We raise to Thee our earnest cry, Once more Thy love entreating. 2. Before the cross subdued we bow, To Thee our prayers addressing, Recounting all Thy mercies now, And all our sins confessing; Beseeching Thee this coming year To keep us in Thy faith and fear And crown us with Thy blessing. 3. And while we pray, we lift our eyes To dear ones gone before us, Safe home with Thee in Paradise, Whose peace descendeth o’er us; And beg of Thee, when life is past To reunite us all at last With those who’ve gone before us. 4. 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 sorrows and reverses. 5. In many an hour, when fear and dread, Like evil spells, have bound us And clouds were gathering overhead, Thy providence hath found us. In many a night, when seas ran high, Thy gracious presence, drawing nigh, Hath made all calm around us. 6. Then, O great God, in years to come, Whatever may betide us, Right onward through our journey home Be Thou at hand to guide us; Nor leave us till, at close of life, Safe from all perils, toil, and strife. Heaven shall enfold and hide us.