Ode To The New Year

ODE TO THE NEW YEAR

by Charlotte C. Davenport

Ring out the old, and ring in the new!
Ring out the false, and ring in the true !
Ring out the old thought of grief and despair
Ring in and live in the Great Father s care.
Ring in the friends, whether old friends or new;
Ring in the hearts, which are loving and true!

Look toward the sun, till it sleeps in the West;
Then turning, look straight towards its dawn in the East.
Lose not of sunshine one life-giving ray;
Its warmth and its brightness hold balm for each day!
Gather each sunbeam which crosses your road!
Gather and hold! it will lighten life s load.

Sunbeams, like chances, will fain fade, alas!
If sadly our eyes are tight closed as they pass.
Ring out the Old then, and ring in the New!
Ring in a Year full of purposes true!
Ring in the Truth ! On each ear may it fall!
Ring in and ever ring "God bless us all!"