Many Happy Returns

Another turn of Time’s relentless wheel,
Another milestone past,
From life’s sweet bells have come another peal,
The trump of God has blown another blast—
And all is well.
Another link from off life’s golden chain
Has dropped into the night.
We cannot count how many more remain
Ere the last vanishes from human sight—
No tongue can tell.
Thy times are in thy Father’s faithful hands,
And shall for ever be.
Who can unloose the eternal golden bands
That to His Son have bound for ever thee?
No creature fell.
He winnoweth thy path: no evil fear,
He leads thee in His way.
Unto His voice keep thou an open ear
And may His love be thy support and stay
Until thy feet shall reach the unsullied way—
God’s citadel.