Uncertainty of Life

See! another year is gone! Quickly have the seasons pass’d! This we enter now upon Will to many prove their last: Mercy hitherto has spared, But have mercies been improved? Let us ask, Am I prepared, Should I be this year removed?

Some we now no longer see, Who their mortal race have run; Seem’d as fair for life as we, When the former year begun: Some, but who God only knows, Who are here assembled now, Ere the present year shall close, To the stroke of death must bow.

Life a field of battle is, Thousands fall within our view: And the next death-bolt that flies: May be sent to me or you: While we preach and while we hear, Help us, Lord, each one to think Vast eternity is near, I am standing on the brink.

If from guilt and sin set free By the knowledge of thy grace, Welcome then the call will be To depart and see thy face: To thy saints while here below With new years new mercies come; But the happiest year they know Is the last, which leads them home.