December 31

"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever." — Hebrews 13:8.

THE year rolls round, and steals away

The breath that first it gave;

Whatever we do, wherever we be,

We're traveling to the grave.

By the providential care and kindness of God, we are brought to the last day of another year; and, while we take a retrospect of the scenes and circumstances through which we have passed, we are reminded of favors received, deliverances obtained, in cries slighted, and privileges abused. Many who commenced the year with us are now in the silent mansions of the grave; but Time is leaning on his scythe, and waiting to converse with us a little longer. It is winter; and amid the dreariness I behold around me, let me, ere I close my meditations for the year, glance an eye at the unfading wreaths of flowers which are to be found adorning the Christian Temple. "No virtue is here missing — whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and virtuous, here you behold them all. Humility sheds the sweetness of her violet odors; the passion-flower of endurance mingles itself with the sun-flower of faith; from the lily chalice of heavenly-mindedness rises the sweet smell of every good deed, in which the left hand knows not what the right hand doeth. Behold a rich, an ever-blooming garland, from God's garden, moistened with heavenly dew, and bound together with charity the bond of perfectness." While the rapid tide is bearing us to the ocean of eternity, and the sons of men, one after another, are passing away, we cannot close the year in a more suitable manner, than by fixing our attention on the Rock of Ages, which, amidst every changing scene, remains immutable — "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever." He is the same in the glory of his person, the perfections of his character, the riches of his grace, the resources of his power, the treasures of his wisdom, the purposes of his love, the promises of his word, and the blessings of his covenant. Then let us go to him at all times, and exercise implicit confidence in him; and now, standing as it were on the threshold of another year, and not knowing what a day may bring forth, or how soon the silver cord which unites the body and soul may be loosed, let us seriously and solemnly commend ourselves to the care of that Divine Being who has crowned the year with his goodness, and earnestly pray, that, when the last day of life shall arrive, we may be prepared to enter upon a state of immortal bliss.

SWIFTNESS OF TIME.

How swift, alas! the moments fly!

How rush the years along!

Scarce here, yet gone already by —

The burden of a song.

See childhood, youth, and manhood pass,

And age, with furrowed brow;

Time was — time shall be — but, alas!

Where, where in time is now?

Time is the measure but of change;

No present hour is found;

The past, the future, fill the range

Of time's unceasing round.

Where, then, is now? In realms above,

With God's atoning Lamb,

In regions of eternal love,

Where sits enthroned I AM.

Then, pilgrim, let thy joys and fears

On time no longer lean;

But henceforth all thy hopes and fears

From earth's affections wean.

To God let grateful accents rise;

With truth, with virtue, live;

So all the bliss that time denies

Eternity shall give.