and deep!
O bond of perfect peace!
Not even the lifted cross can harm,
If we but hold to this.

3 Then, Jesus, be thy spirit ours!
And swift our feet shall move
To deeds of pure self-sacrifice,
"And the sweet tasks of love."

565. L. M. Doddridge.

Close of the Year.

1 God of eternity! from Thee
Did infant time his being draw;
Moments and days, and months and years,
Revolve by Thine unvaried law.

2 Silent and swift they glide away:
Steady and strong the current flows,
Lost in eternity's wide sea,
The boundless gulf from which it rose.

3 Great Source of wisdom! teach our hearts
To know the price of every hour,
That time may bear us on to joys
Beyond its measure and its power.

566. 7s. M. Newton.

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 mourner's 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!

567. L. M. Anonymous.

Thanksgiving Hymn.

1 Father of mercies! God of peace!
Being whose bounties never cease!
While to the heavens, in grateful tones,
Ascend our mingled orisons,
Listen to these, the notes of praise,
Which we, a happy people, raise!

2 Our hamlets, sheltered by Thy care,
Abodes of peace and plenty are;
Our tillage by Thy blessing yields
An hundred fold from ripened fields:
And flowing grain, and burthened vine,
Are tokens of Thy Love divine.

3 The cradled head of infancy
Doth owe its tranquil rest to Thee;
Youth's doubting step, man's firmer tread,
In years mature, by Thee are led;
Secure may trembling age, oh Lord!
Lean on its staff, Thy holy Word.

4 Teach us these blessings to improve,
Teach us to serve Thee, teach to love;
Exalt our hearts, that we may see
The Giver of all good in Thee;
And be Thy