Time, by moments, steals away

A new-year's thought and prayer by John Newton


 * Time, by moments, steals away,
 * First the hour, and then the day;
 * Small the daily loss appears,
 * Yet it soon amounts to years:
 * Thus another year is flown,
 * Now it is no more our own
 * (If it brought or promised good)
 * Than the years before the flood.


 * But (may none of us forget)
 * It has left us much in debt;
 * Favors from the LORD received,
 * Sins that have his Spirit grieved;
 * Marked by an unerring hand
 * In his book recorded stand;
 * Who can tell the vast amount,
 * Placed to each of our account?


 * Happy, the believing soul!
 * CHRIST for you has paid the whole;
 * While you own the debt is large,
 * You may plead a full discharge:
 * But poor careless sinner, say,
 * What can you to justice pay?
 * Tremble, lest when life is past,
 * Into prison you be cast!


 * Will you still increase the score?
 * Still be careless, as before?
 * O, forbid it, gracious Lord,
 * Touch their spirits by thy word!
 * Now, in mercy, to them show
 * What a mighty debt they owe!
 * All their unbelief subdue,
 * Let them find forgiveness too.


 * Spared to see another year,
 * Let thy blessing meet us here;
 * Come, thy dying work revive,
 * Bid thy drooping garden thrive:
 * Sun of righteousness arise!
 * Warm our hearts, and bless our eyes;
 * Let our prayer thy bowels move,
 * Make this year a time of love!