I 266. P. M. The Shortness and Uncertainty of Life. HILE, with ceaseless course, the sun Hasted through the former year, Many souls their race have run, Never more to meet us here. 2 Finish'd here probation's day, But how little, none can know. 5 Thanks for mercies past receive; Teach us henceforth how to live, 6 Bless thy word to young and old ; 267. c. M. Serious Reflections on our Moral Condition. AND now, my soul! another year Of my short life is past : I cannot long continue here; 2 Part of my doubtful life is gone, And swift my fleeting moments run, 3 Awake my soul! with all thy care Thy true condition learn! What are thy hopes, how sure, how fair? 4 Now a new space of life begins! 268. c. M. Reflections on the Circumstances of the past Year. 1 MARK how the swift-wing'd minutes fly, And hours still hasten on! How swift the circling months run round! 2 Let me iudulge the serious thought; What good, what evil, have I done? 3 How is my debt of love increas'd Who hath upheld my feeble frame, 4 For all thy favours, O my GOD! Thou hast my cup with blessings fill'd 5 For thy great mercy's sake, forgive -6 What shall befall in future life I I would not, LORD! inquire: To be prepar'd for all thy will,Be this my chief desire. 269. L. M. The Possibility of Dying this Year. REAT GOD! we in thy courts appear, Whose blessings crown the op'ning year; Our feeble lives thy care prolongs, And wakes anew our annual songs. 2 What numbers in the little space, And stays, or goes at thy command; 5 To thee would we our life resign, Let life but while it lasts be thine, 270. C. M. Reflections on our Waste of Time. 1 REMARK, my soul! the narrow bounds Of the revolving year! How soon the weeks complete their rounds! 2 Much of my dubious life is past, Nor will return again; How swift the fleeting moments haste! 3 Great GOD! awake this trifling heart That I may choose the better part, 4 Then shall their course more grateful roll, If future years arise; Or this prepare my waiting soul For joy that never dies. 271. c. M. On the Death of a Young Person. 1 WHEN blooming youth is snatch'd away By death's resistless hand, Our hearts the mournful tribute pay, 2 While pity prompts the rising sigh, With awful power, I too must die,'— 3 Let this vain world engage no more; It bids us seize the present hour; 4 The voice of this alarming scene Nor be the heav'nly warning vain, Which calls to watch and pray! 272. C. M. On the Death of a Young Person. 1 LIFE is a span, a fleeting hour; Man is a tender, transient flower, 2 Death spreads like winter's frozen arms, Ah! where are now those rising charms 3 The once lov'd form, now cold and dead, 4 But wait the interposing gloom, And dress'd in beauty's fairest bloom, 5 Hope looks beyond the bounds of time, 6 Then cease, fond nature! cease thy tears; There everlasting spring appears, And joys which cannot die. 273. C. M. The Sorrows of Nature soothed by the Prospects of the Gospel. 1 WHILE to the grave our friends are borne, Around their cold remains, How all the tender passions mourn, 2 But down to earth, alas! in vain Ah! let us leave these seats of pain, 3 Hope cheerful smiles amid the gloom, And guides us from the darksome tomb, |