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Hymn score of: Thank God that towards eternity - The New Year (August Hermann Francke/Catherine Winkworth/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)

Christ My Song - 1481

Thank God that towards eternity - The New Year
(August Hermann Francke/Catherine Winkworth/
Johannes Thomas Rüegg)

The New Year.

Composed on his journey to Gotha
after his unjust expulsion from Erfurt;
as we are told in the Oration delivered
at his grave, "in the full experience of the
unspeakable consolations of the Holy Spirit."

1. Thank God that towards eternity
  another step is won!
Oh, longing turns my heart to thee
  as Time flows slowly on,
that Fountain whence my life is born,
whence those rich streams of grace are drawn
  that through my being run!

2. I count the hours, the days, the years,
  that stretch in tedious line,
until, O Life, that hour appears,
  when, at thy touch divine,
whate'er is mortal now in me
shall be consumed for aye in thee,
  and deathless life be mine.

3. So glows thy love within this frame,
  that, touched with keenest fire,
my whole soul kindles in the flame
  of one intense desire,
to be in thee, and thou in me,
and e'en while yet on earth to be
  still pressing closer, nigher!

4. Oh that I soon might thee behold!
  I count the moments o'er;
ah come, ere yet my heart grows cold
  and cannot call thee more!
Come in thy glory, for thy Bride
hath girt her for the holy-tide,
  and waiteth at the door.

5. And since thy Spirit sheds abroad
  the oil of grace in me,
and thou art inly near me, Lord,
  and I am lost in thee,
so shines in me the Living Light,
and steadfast burns my lamp and bright,
  to greet the joyously.

6. Come! is the voice, then, of thy Bride,
  she loudly prays thee come!
With faithful heart she long hath cried,
  Come quickly, Jesus, come!
Come, O my Bridegroom, Lamb of God,
thou knowest I am thine, dear Lord;
  come down and take me home.

7. Yet be the hour that none can tell
  left wholly to thy choice,
although I know thou lov'st it well,
  that I with heart and voice
should bid thee come, and from this day
care but to meet thee on thy way,
  and at thy sight rejoice!

8. I joy that from thy love divine
  no power can part me now,
that I may dare to call thee mine,
  my Friend, my Lord, avow,
that I, O Prince of Life, shall be
made wholly one in heaven with thee;
  my portion, Lord, art thou!

9. And therefore do my thanks o'erflow,
  that one more year is gone,
and of this Time, so poor, so slow,
  another step is won;
and with a heart that may not wait,
toward yonder distant golden gate
  I journey gladly on.

10. And when the wearied hands grow weak,
  and wearied knees give way,
to sinking faith, oh quickly speak,
  and make thine arm my stay;
that so my heart drink in new strength,
and I speed on, nor feel the length
  nor steepness of the way!

11. Then on, my soul, with fearless faith,
  let nought thy terror move;
nor aught that earthly pleasure saith
  e'er tempt thy steps to rove:
if slow thy course seem o'er the waste,
mount upwards with the eagle's haste,
  on wings of tireless love.

12. O Jesus, all my soul hath flown
  already up to thee,
for thou, in whom is love alone,
  hast wholly conquered me.
Farewell, ye phantoms, day and year,
Eternity is round me here,
  since, Lord, I live in thee.

Catherine Winkworth, Lyra Germanica: Hymns for the Sundays ... , 1862, 8-11.
Translated from the German Gottlob! ein Schritt zur Ewigkeit
of August Hermann Francke.

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