Another Year by C. M. Willis

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 27, 1866

Another Year.

By C. M. Willis

ANOTHER year! what solemn thoughts! What memories rife with hopes and fears! With thrilling power the heart is fraught, As we review the passing years.

A year agone, and at our feet, An unwrit parchment lay unrolled, Waiting such marks as we deemed meet, Upon its pages to be scrolled.

The record's made, the pages filled, With characters none may efface; Each thought and deed, for good or ill, Within the volume all may trace.

What's written there? the record's what? Which we must meet when time's no more; Is it pure whiteness soiled with blots, And failure written o'er and o'er?

Were golden opportunities For kindly deeds passed unimproved? Did selfish love of earthly ease, Possess our hearts, by love unmoved?

Or has the record told each day, Of godly walk by us adorned; Of falling tears we've wiped away, Of erring ones we've meekly warned?

Has God been all in all to us; Resigned were we to do his will? Content if needs to suffer loss, And bid our murmuring hearts be still?

Another page is now turned o'er, A new one in the book of time, Shall this be blotted as before, Or marked with characters sublime?

And when another year is hurled Within the vortex of the past; When thoughts and memories backward roll, Shall this shine brighter than the last?

The character, the lessons taught, Recorded there shall never die; Time's hand the pages cannot blot, T'will live through all eternity.

C. M. WILLIS. Charlotte, Mich.