Swiftly, swiftly the moments fly,
Swiftly the days and weeks flow by;
The changing months pass rapidly on,
And oh, how quickly the year is gone!

Gone,-yes, another year of life,
Its joys and sorrows, its hope and strife;
Flown like down on the autumn wind,
And what, oh, what, has it left behind?

It brought to you many a precious gift
Meant towards Heaven your soul to lift:
Health and abilities, long bright days-
Have all been used to your Father's praise?

Perhaps it brought sickness, sorrow, and pain,
Yet meant you blessings from them to gain;
Lessons to learn of Love and Faith,
Of the great realities, Life and Death.

You are older now by another year;
Are you older in wisdom and goodness, dear?
Have you grown in love, and in each fair grace?
Are you pressing on in the heavenward race?

Is Christ more precious, His word more sweet?
Do you love to sit at His sacred feet?
And listening, like Mary, to His dear voice,
Have you made, as she did, the better choice?

How blessed each morn in your wakening ear,
His "Child, I have somewhat to say," to hear;
And to answer, like Samuel, "Speak, O Lord,
Thy servant will hear and obey Thy word."

Oh, ask for His precious blood again
To cleanse from your soul every sinful stain,
And ask for His Holy Spirit's power
To work in you holiness hour by hour-

Then trustfully enter the glad New Year;
With Christ as your Guide you have nought to fear;
His strong hand, clasped by your simple faith,
Will safely lead you through life and death.
So, when the eternal year shall dawn,
And the earthly years are for ever gone,
You will joyfully own how each one was given
As a help on your journey from earth to heaven.

J. B.