1 Now, gracious Lord, thine arm reveal, And make thy glory known; Now let us all thy presence feel, And soften hearts of stone. 2 From all the guilt of former sin May mercy set us free; And let the year we now begin, Begin and end with thee. 3 Send down thy spirit from above, That saints may love thee more, And sinners now may learn to love, Who never loved before. 4 And when before thee we appear, In our eternal home, May growing numbers worship here, And praise thee in our room. 893. C. M. Bp. Middleton. Self-Examination. New Year. 1 As o'er the past my memory strays, Why heaves the secret sigh? 'Tis that I mourn departed days, Still unprepared to die. 2 The world, and worldly things beloved, My anxious thoughts employed; And time unhallowed, unimproved, Presents a fearful void. 3 Yet, Holy Father! wild despair Chase from my laboring breast; Thy grace it is which prompts the prayer. That grace can do the rest. 4 My life's brief remnant all be thine; And when thy sure decree Bids me this fleeting breath resign, O speed my soul to thee! 894. 7s. M. Newton. Invocation. New Year. 1 Bless, O Lord, each opening year To the souls assembling here: Clothe thy word with power divine, Make us willing to be thine. 2 Where thou hast thy work begun, Give new strength the race to run; Scatter darkness, doubts, and fears, Wipe away the mourners' tears. 3 Bless us all, both old and young; Call forth praise from every tongue: Let our whole assembly prove All thy power and all thy love! 895. C. M. Browne. The Closing Year. 1 And now, my soul, another year Of my short life is past: I cannot long continue here; And this may be my last. 2 Part of my doubtful life is gone, Nor will return again; And swift my fleeting moments run-- The few which yet remain! 3 Awake, my soul! with all thy care Thy true condition learn; What are thy hopes--how sure, how fair, And what thy great concern? 4 Now a new space of life begins, Set out afresh for heaven; Seek pardon for thy former sins, Through Christ, so freely given. 5 Devoutly yield thyself to God, And on his grace depend; With zeal pursue the heavenly road, Nor doubt a happy end. 896. 7s. M. Anonymous. The Same. 1 Time by moments steals away, First the hour and then the day; Small the daily loss appears, Yet it soon amounts to years. 2 Thus another year is flown; Now it is no more our own, If it brought or promised good, Than the years before the flood.