POETRY.


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A Welcome TO tho close Of the Year.


WHEN the soft shades ofnight enwrap the eaffh,
To musings sweet fiy, from boist'rous mirth
love to think how time spends on its fight,
And brings day, ne er to be closed by night;
I muse on all the blessings God has given,
As the rich earnests Of a promised heaven.
Preserved, this day, from al that might fear,
know his boundless love, and tender care.
This evening brings ne 70 the hour Of rest,
And hastes the time, when shall join the blest !
The blest above who stand before the throne,
And sing Gods praise, with Joy, to US unknown.
Swifter, far swifter, fly, my days, away.
More rapid be your flight, O never stay,
Haste, bring that time, when with JOY, shall rise
To my fair mansion in the ner skies.
Thus when the darkDsss shtsstho s4Sfld fsoanxla,
To realms of endless day, love to flee.
Thus, when the year has run its ampler round,
And drawn my life within a narrow'r bound:
try to count the mercies God bestows,
Though their fun lnumber no frail creature knows.
Through that bright world roam, with holy joy,
Where bliss awaits me, where no cares nnoy
But happy prospects e'en on earth are seen,
Where all dreary, cherries waste has been.
Each year unfolds the dark prophetic roll,
And gives us scenes, which cheer the pious soul,
And spreads brighter light upon that book,
On which, despondng saints, for comfort look.
1t gives happy prospect to the eye,
And bids the clouds which bound our views to fly.
1t tells as joyful news, that Jesus reigns,
And rescues man from Satan's heavy chains
Then, time, no more delay-speed, speed, thy


flight


Let the bright day succeed to gloomy night,
Hasten, and shew us that long look'd for hour,
When the greatSon ofAian shall come with power.
Already hast thou told as, faithful time,
That Jesus kingdom spreads thro' every cline,
From realms, whence comes the rising light otdsy
To those, where sinks his mild and parting ray.
The close ofeyery year with joy III greet,
While thus hasten on, such scenes to meet.
Pursue, O world! your vain, delusive schemes,
My thoughts, viii employ, on nobler themes;
My treasure let me lay in realms above,


" here is no stormy strife, but all is love.
My body, soul, my all, to God, III give,
Nor to myself alone will basely live.
The cry of deep distress, i'll ever hear,
Then he who reigRs above will grant my prayer.
Christ's kingdom viii labour to extend,
Till in his praise all men their voices blend:
Thus may hail the close of every year,
Nor pain, nor death, nor hell, norjudgment fear.
December 1873.