Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1881-01-05
For the Smyrna Times.
THE NEW YEAR;-WATCH-
NIGHT.
BY HERMAN ROE.

Tell us, oh tell us, sweet angel host;
What say the grand years that roll
From old Times rugged. uncertain coast
Into Eternitys scroll?
What history do they bear to Him
Who sits in judgment on high?
What record into Spirit-land dim
Do they carry as they fly?
Oh, wondrous years of wondrous life.
Mysterious wheel of time!
So full Of happiness-full of strife,
Advancing with endless rhyme.
There's no reviewing their mighty dream.
They move forever away;
The night, the morning, the MONDAY CLEAN,
AS day follows after day.
We thought to detain the last New Year.
To hold it in fond embrace;
We loved it when we saw it appear
With its happy, hopeful face
But the clock licked on,-the golden hours
Passed to the heavenly page;
Now we are here with funeral flowers
For our New Year in its age.
His wings were heavy with history,
His brow was pensive with care;
His hands were laden with mystery
Solicitude whitened his hair.
Mercy walked with him in our dear land.
Sweet Providence crowned him with grace
In our good bye, the touch of his hand
Is kind as the smile OH his face.
How have our noble resolves been kept:
How have our purposes grown?
How many, for our unkindness, have wepto
How have our praises been shown?
Have we forgotten the plansso high
We formed when the New Year came?
How have we valued the days gone by?-
In Heaven how stands our fame?
Praise to the wonderful Giver. grand
Whose mercy is with us STILL
Who has led the year with gentle hand
Guiding US with His great will
Pardon our sins, oh, King of the years,
Now in Defenders last hour;
Fill us with hOpefulneSs. help our fears,
For Thy hand is full of power.
THE NEW.
A bell, than which 10 grander rings
In deep and golden strains
A choir, than which no sweeter sings
Ou tIllS sue JORDAN plaln,-
A home than which no fairer dwells
In this dear land of homes
life. whose course of blessing tells.
As each RetC New Year comes.
a land. than which no fairer beams,
All under heavens great arch,
Where harves. after harvest CLEANS.
As singing armies march.
4 land all full of plenteous peace
With gifts for every one,
Where Joyous blessings never cease,
While ever shines the sun
A gospel, in whose shining page
We read the story true
Of Him whose name. age after age.
Is rich in glories new.
\ promise full of golden light
To guide our future way,
Prophetic revelation, bright
With heavens assuring ray.
Arise put on the armor then!
Stand forth in heavens light.
Be brave, be strong, quit You like men,"
Equipped with moral right.
Oh happy may the New Year be,
Honored with labors prize
Blessing. success, prosperity.
On every hand arise
The days will more with silent sweep
We can not hold them here;
lis better that we laugh than weep
And throw away our fear
We know not what tie year may bring
We know that God is good
Then, while we labor, let us sing,
As heavens children should.
Fix the new propose strong and high,
AS new desires ascend -
Let not the resolution die,
But hold 1t to the end.
Oh, happy may the New Year prove
Sweet friends, to you to me;
Till. crowned with honor blessing love.
It's dying we shall see.