Excerpt
NEW YEAR'S EVE E had gone, the good old year! It was no wonder people sighed as his pulse beat slower and slower, for he had brightened many hearts and gladdened many homes. If he had brought sadness and heart-ache to some, it was only that he never once failed in any duty. Taking from the hand that had given him life-joys and sorrows, hopes and disappointments, crosses and ease, he gave unto each one what the Master designed. But it happens very often that the rosy morning ends in a night dark and tempestuous, while the clouds that greet our early waking, are followed by the bright shining of the sun. And there is no life which would not be more bright and joyous, if it only opened the windows and let the light God means it to have, shine in.
So there were sighs and regrets as there always are, when one who has been true and kind, has left us forever.
Out on the frosty air floated the sound of bells. Merrily, joyously they pealed forth to welcome the new life that had just dawned, while from far and near the guns gave out their noisy greeting.
Sad hearts brightened, tearful faces smiled. With their old friend had gone the old life; they would throw aside regret and be brave and strong. Among an assembly of silent worshippers knelt two sisters side by side. It was as if they had gathered round the bedside of a departing one, trying to catch the last look and to hear the last sound, the stillness only broken by sobs from wrung hearts. Tremblingly their girlish voices united with the multitude, as with a covenant-keeping God they renewed their covenant in the words:—
"Come, let us use the grace divine,And all with one accord,In a perpetual cov'nant joinOurselves to Christ the Lord;Give up ourselves through Jesus' powerHis name to glorify,And promise in this sacred hourFor God to live and die.The cov'nant we this moment make,Be ever kept in mind;We will no more our God forsake,Or cast his words behind.We never will throw off his fear,Who hears our solemn vow,And if thou art well pleased to hear,Come down and meet us now.Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,Let all our hearts receive;Present with the celestial host,The peaceful answer give.To each the cov'nant blood apply,Which takes our sins away;And register our names on high,And keep us to that day."At the words, "We will no more our God forsake," the voice of the eldest suddenly failed, and burying her face she sobbed aloud. The other seemed to have gathered strength with every word, and now as she sang:—
"We never will throw off his fearWho hears our solemn vow;—" her voice rang out clear and steady. To her sister it already had an air of triumph, and caused her to look up wonderingly into the face so full of trust and holy purpose. The clear, bright eyes met her tearful gaze; there was a pressure of the hand as entreatingly she said, "Sing, Ruth; the Lord is our strength, He will help us."Re-assured and comforted, Ruth sang, "To each the cov'nant blood apply," thinking of her sister's words, and feeling already His help....