HYMN FOR THE NEW YEAR

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 3, 1878

HYMN FOR THE NEW YEAR.

“Joy cometh with the morning.” What though in dreary night The old year is departing? The new shall give us light. The time past has sufficed us For sins and doubts and sorrow; Time present is for labor, And gladness for the morrow.

“Joy cometh with the morning.” ’Tis night till Jesus come, Though skies shine brightly o’er us, And flowers around us bloom. We now have but the earnest Of what shall be revealed, Like droppings from a fountain But partially unsealed.

So we’re waiting for the day-streaks To gild the eastern skies, Our watch is nearly over, Soon shall the sun arise; Well-nigh the low, soft footfalls Of angels we can hear, And the chiming of the golden bells That tell the Priest-King near.

“Joy cometh with the morning.” Creation waits and longs To change her funeral dirges To resurrection songs: Now, of the tearful rainbow Her holiest garb is made; Then, in the heaven’s own sunshine This earth shall be arrayed.

“Joy cometh with the morning.” Hushed be the mourner’s groan; The dead in Christ, like seedlings In wintry furrows sown, Shall rise in life and beauty When these dark hours are past, More loving, pure, and holy, Than when we saw them last.

“Joy cometh with the morning.” O Israel, it shall be Indeed a glorious dawning, Long-banished one, to thee. Transplanted from the desert To where thy fathers grew, Thou shalt be God’s own lily, And he will send the dew.

“Joy cometh with the morning;” But joy alone to those Who on a Saviour’s merits Their weary souls repose; Who through the darksome night-watch Have stayed themselves on God, And trusting to his guidance The narrow path have trod.

Brethren in Christ, oft looking For our returning Lord, Lay not aside your armor, Sheathe not the conquering sword, Faint not, nor be discouraged, Our resting time is near; Ere many New Years follow, Our Master will be here.

—Sel.