69 Across the Sky the Shades of Night

1 Across the sky the shades of night This New Year's Eve are fleeting. We deck your altar, Lord, with light, In solemn worship meeting. And, as the year's last hours go by, We raise to you our earnest cry, Once more your love entreating. 2 We gather up in this brief hour The mem'ry of your mercies. Your wondrous goodness, love, and pow'r Our grateful song rehearses. For you have been our strength and stay In many a dark and dreary day Of sorrow and reverses. 3 Before the cross, subdued, we bow, To you our prayers addressing, Recounting all your mercies now And all our sins confessing. We ask you, Lord, this coming year To keep us in your faith and fear And crown us with your blessing. 4 And while we pray, we lift our eyes To dear ones gone before us, Safe home with you in Paradise, Where Jesus will reign o'er us, And ask of you, when life is past, To reunite us all at last With those who've gone before us. 5 Then gracious God, in years to come, Whatever may betide us, Right onward through our journey home, Oh, stay at hand to guide us, Nor leave us till, at close of life, Safe from all peril, toil, and strife, Heav'n shall enfold and hide us.