First Line: Bless, O Lord, the opening year,

Bless, O Lord, the opening year
To each soul assembled here;
Clothe Thy word with power divine,
Make us willing to be Thine.

2 Shepherd of Thy blood-bought sheep,
Teach the stony hearts to weep ;
Let the blind have eyes to see,
See themselves, and look to Thee.

3 Where Thou hast Thy work begun,
Give new strength the race to run ;
Scatter darkness, doubts, and fears;
W r ipe away the mourner's tears.

4 Bless us all, both old and young ;
Call forth praise from every tongue ;
Let this whole assembly prove
All Thy power and all Thy love.