401. C. M. Gaskell. Close of the Year.

1 O God! to Thee our hearts would pay
Their gratitude sincere,
Whose love hath kept us, night and day,
Throughout another year.

2 Of every breath, and every power,
Thou wast the gracious source;
From Thee came every happy hour
Which smiled along its course.

3 And if sometimes across our path
A cloud its shadows threw,
Thou didst not waft it there in wrath,
But loving-kindness true.

4 For joy and grief alike we pay
Our thanks to Thee above;
And only pray to grow each day
More worthy of Thy love.