year, another year
Hath sped its flight on silent wing,
And all that marked its brief career
Hath passed from mortal reckoning.
For all Thy grace and patient love,
Exhaustless still, and still the same,
For all our hopes of joy above,
We laud and bless Thy holy Name.
We bless Thee for each happy soul,
Throughout another fleeting year,
Or by Thy quickening grace made whole,
Or parted in Thy faith and fear.
Still bear with us, and bless us still;
And, while in this dark world we stay,
Oh! let us love Thy holy will!
Oh! let us keep Thy narrow way!
So, when the rolling stream of time
Hath opened to a boundless sea,
Loud will we raise that song sublime,
All honour, glory, power to Thee!
GOD, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home!
Beneath the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure :
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages, in Thy sight,
Are like an evening gone ;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home!
MERCIFUL and Holy,
Who still, by steps unknown,
In simple hearts and lowly
Dost build Thy loftiest throne;
As Thou of old wast near us,
To bless our founder's care,
Bow down Thine ear, and hear us,
In this Thy house of prayer.
For all the faith and daring
That haunt our ancient hill,
And patience, and forbearing,
Tried good, and vanquished ill;
Sweet praise of our dear mother,
And, sweeter far than fame,
The love that binds each brother,
We glorify Thy Name.
For memory's golden treasure,
Our boyhood's cloudless brow,
Each pure and blameless pleasure,
Each brave and holy vow;
And friends still clinging nearer
As sorrows cross our way,
And some by death made dearer,
We thank Thee, Lord, to-day.
Whate'er Thy will shall send us,
If weal or woe betide,
Do Thou, our God, defend us
Fast anchored by Thy side :
Here firm, though all be drifting,
May thousands still adore,
Eye, heart, and voice uplifting
Till time shall be no more.
REJOICE to-day with one accord,
Sing out with exultation;
Rejoice, and praise our mighty Lord,
Our strength and our salvation :
Our fathers' God was He,
Our God He still shall be ;
Our fathers praised His Name,
Our sons shall praise the same :
Our house was built in lowly ways,
But God looked down upon her :
He gave her wealth and length of days,
And brought us to great honour,
In life, in death, our guide;
We own no strength beside;
His hosts are round us still;
He guards His holy hill:
Our house shall stand for ever.
FATHER, hear Thy children's praises
For the boon we owe to-day;
Grateful love our heart upraises,
This our sacrifice to pay :
Thanks for all Thy mercies given,
Stores of knowledge here unrolled,
Means of grace, and hopes of heaven,
Unto us, Thy chosen fold.
Lord, Thy servants' spirits turning,
Mould them by Thy gracious sway,
Godliness and all good learning
May we follow day by day.
May we, these Thy bounties sharing,
Every talent use aright,
Still by earthly lore preparing,
Till our faith be turned to sight:
Till, undimmed by dark reflection,
Face to face shall Christ be shown;
Knowledge rise to full perfection,
Knowing e'en as we are known.
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