WHEN the old year has died, and the new year is born,
And neighbors and friends chance to meet,
At home or abroad, on the first day at morn,
How gaily each other they greet!
With a shake of the hand, and a smile on the face,
In token of welcome sincere,
Each says to the other, with courteous grace, —
I wish you a happy new year.”
To you, my young friends, may the year now begun
A circle of happiness prove;
May every morn, as uprises the sun,
Your hearts in true gratitude move
To God, who His blessings hath shower’d around,
To comfort and strengthen your hearts;
Each evening, too, may you thankful be found
For all that His goodness imparts.
And, may you, believing in Jesus, the Lord,
Partake of the heavenly birth,
That you hearty praises to Him may accord,
And love to tell others His worth.
If you rest in His love, and delight in His ways,
It is certain your bosoms He’ll cheer;
For He happiness gives, to each one who obeys,
And pleasure, each day of the year.