The Old Year and the New

Hush! the year is dy­ing

Soft

with­out a sound;

Snowflakes

shroud-like

ly­ing

On the earth around;

All its striv­ings ov­er

All its sto­ry done;

Now—its me­mo­ries hov­er

O’er a year be­gun.

Some of us were lone­ly

In its bright­est hours

Sadly whis­per­ing

On­ly

Let Thy will be ours!

Some of us were tired

In its sum­mer days;

Weary

we de­sired

Gladder

bright­er ways.

We but seemed re­peat­ing

Changeless rounds of life

Daily

hour­ly meet­ing

Well known cares and strife;

Life a lit­tle cold­er

Fewer lov­ing smiles

We but grow­ing old­er

In fa­mil­iar whiles.

Now the year is ov­er

Let us brav­er stand

Seeking to dis­cov­er

His—our Fa­ther’s—hand;

Let us fol­low whol­ly

Though our sight be dim;

He would make us ho­ly

For a life with Him.

Every day He sends us

He Him­self pre­pares;

He Him­self at­tends us

Through its joys and cares;

His true love be­seech­ing

Let us

then draw near;

Seeking guid­ance

teach­ing

For the op­en­ing year.