And now, my soul, another year
Of thy short life is past;
I cannot long continue here,
And this may be my last.

Awake, my soul! with utmost care
Thy true condition learn:
What are thy hopes? how sure? how fair?
What is thy great concern?

Behold, another year begins!
Set out afresh for heaven;
Claim* pardon for thy former sins,
In Christ so freely given.

Devoutly yield thyself to God,
And on His grace depend;
With zeal pursue the heavenly road,
Nor doubt a happy end.

Simon Browne

Copied from my grandmother’s hymnal, Hymn Book, Methodist Episcopal Church, South: Nashville, TN, 1901, Hymn #718.

*Seek is the original word. I made the substitution because our sins are already forgiven: past, present, and future. It is necessary to confess and forsake them in order to glorify God (Joshua 7:19), but we need not seek forgiveness that has already been granted.

Note: The hymns in this hymnal are not titled. So when I do not know the hymn, I make up a title or simply use the first line.

Photo taken in Milton, FL, 2021

---