Father, Let Me Dedicate

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Words: Lawrence Tuttiett (b. Oct. 31, 1825; d. June 21, 1897)
Music: George Alexander Macfarren (b. Mar. 2, 1813; d. Oct. 31, 1887)

Links:
Wordwise Hymns
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

Note: An English clergyman, Lawrence Tuttiett also wrote many hymns, though few of them are used today. He was married, and the couple had one daughter that I know of. Eminent hymn historian John Julian said of him:

“Mr. Tuttiett’s hymns are characterized by smoothness of rhythm, direction of aim, simplicity of language, and deep earnestness.”

For some, stepping from December 31 into January 1 is not particularly significant. Just another day gone by, just a bit more water under the bridge. After all, it’s only a traditional division, not a real one. Other cultures and calendars start their new year in a different place. The Chinese New Year varies, falling each year some time between January 21 and February 21.

In Canada and the United States it seems that New Year’s Eve has become a time of overindulging and partying–for many, the bigger and wilder the better. Then, those giddy party-goers waken, late the next day, with a nauseating headache–and with the revelries of the night before regretted, or only vaguely remembered.

Not that I speak from experience.

Our family parties over the years, both on the eve of the new year and on the day itself, were enjoyable–and alcohol free–gatherings of friends and family that I can recall with fondness and joy, even many decades later. And in between a New Year’s Eve party, and the celebrations of the next day, came a Watchnight Service at the church.

Bidding farewell to the old year, and welcoming the new, in the house of God with other like-minded Christians–what a special blessing that was. To look back on God’s provisions in days and months past, and His sustaining grace in difficult times. Then to look ahead with renewed faith, leaning on the Lord for whatever the future may bring. All present seemed to be greatly encouraged by that.

And there are some wonderful New Year’s hymns that put these things into memorable lines of verse. Even if they are not in your present hymnal, you could print them up and distribute them, as they’re in the public domain.

Another Year Is Dawning (Frances Havergal)
Standing at the Portal (Frances Havergal)
How Sweet the Hour (Fanny Crosby)

The latter song is sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, and it reminds us that “Through faith in Jesus’ precious blood, we all shall meet in heav’n.”

The Bible uses the words year or years hundreds of times. There we learn that the rolling seasons are marked by the movement of the stars (Gen. 1:14). We see that the eternal God, who exists outside of time, counts time differently from what we do (Ps. 90:4; II Pet. 3:8). “You [God] are the same, and Your years will have no end” (Ps. 102:27). In comparison, mortal life for us is brief. As Job put it, “When a few years are finished, I shall go the way of no return” (Job 16:22).

In spite of life’s brevity and many trials, the psalmist says, “You crown the year with Your goodness” (Ps. 65:11). And we are encouraged to begin in our earliest years to remember from whom our blessings come. “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them'” (Ecc. 12:1). In a commitment to that we declare, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Ps. 69:30), and look forward to His sustaining grace in the days ahead.

Lawrence Tuttiett certainly believed in that. Here is his hymn for the new year, a commitment to starting well.

CH-1) Father, let me dedicate, all this year to Thee,
In whatever worldly state Thou wilt have me be:
Not from sorrow, pain or care, freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer, / glorify Thy name.

CH-2) Can a child presume to choose where or how to live?
Can a Father’s love refuse all the best to give?
More Thou givest every day than the best can claim
Nor withholdest aught that may glorify Thy name.

CH-4) If Thou callest to the cross, and its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss, shrouding heart and home;
Let me think how Thy dear Son to His glory came,
And in deepest woe pray on, “Glorify Thy name.”

Questions:
1) What experiences have you had over the past year that show the love and faithfulness of God?

2) What are you trusting the Lord to do in your life over the coming year?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org