A NEW-YEAR HYMN.

Sunlight of the heavenly day,

Mighty to revive and cheer,

Bless our yet untrodden way,

Lead us through the entered year.

Where the shades of death we see,

Let Thy living brightness be --

Let it speed our lingering feet --

Let it shine on all we meet.

While before our chastened gaze

Earthly pleasures fade and fail,

Thou, the light of all our days --

Thou, our steadfast glory, hail!

Forward, though the path be hid;

Though we pass the lurking foe;

Though the sound of war forbid,

Girt with gladness, let its go.

Bold in Thy protecting care,

Strong to prove Thee faithful there

Through the desert or the sea,

On, to reign in life with Thee.

Ah, with more than fearless heart,

Homeward be our faces set;

Show us in our present part

Wealth we have not measured yet.

Open Thou beneath our tread

Springs the distance could not show;

From the holy Fountain-head,

Let them rise where'er we go.

Rather give us eyes to see --

Love awake to love in Thee --

Hearts that, trusting in Thy care,

Find its traces everywhere.

Teach us, as we pass along,

In the shining of Thy face,

Many a sweet thanksgiving-song,

Even in a dreary place.

While with firm, unyielding will

For the victor's crown we strive,

Gracious Savior, keep us still

To Thy gentlest signs alive --

Where the stormy wind is heard,

Quick to every tender word,

And for all our journey's length,

Armed with meekness more than strength.

In the shadow of Thy hand

We can brave the uprooting gale,

And a little child may stand

Where the soldier's heart would fail.

Oft a desolating blast

Bears the seed of comfort too,

And the patient soul at last

Finds a garden where it blew;

So, where nothing cheers our sight,

Germs of love may spring to light,

Bright 'mid earth's oppressive shades,

Fresh beside the leaf that fades.

Let the precious seed abound --

Make the tempest strong to bless,

Strong to claim our thorny ground

For the fruits of holiness.

Lord of All! we cannot know

What our paths may yet unfold;

But the part that love would show --

Wise to save us -- Thou hast told.

By our heart's unmeasured price --

By Thy life-long sacrifice --

By Thy death to set us free,

Lead us on to joy in Thee.

On, to greet the perfect day,

Blessed End of time and strife, --

On, throngh all the shinlng way,

Brightness of our human life.