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BOOK II. Then he ll wipe away your tears, Near himself appoint your place ; Swifter fly, ye rolling years, Lord, we long to see thy face !

1 SEE ! another year is gone ! Quickly have the seasons pass d ! This we enter now upon Will to many prove their last : Mercy hitherto has spared, But have mercies been improved? Let us ask, Am I prepared, Should I be this year removed ?

2 Some we now no longer see, Who their mortal race have run ; Seem d as fair for life as we, When the former year begun : Some, but who God only knows, Who are here assembled now, Ere the present year shall close, To the stroke of death must bow.

3 Life a field of battle is, Thousands fall within our view : And the next death-bolt that flies : May be sent to me or you : While we preach and while we hear, Help us, Lord, each one to think Vast eternity is near, I am standing on the brink.

4 If from guilt and sin set free By the knowledge of thy grace, Welcome then the call will be To depart and see thy face : To thy saints while here below With new years new mercies come ; But the happiest year they know Is the last, which leads them home.