The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-02-05
From the Unitarian Miscellany.l

THOUGHTS FOR A NEW YEAR.
The circumstances are not to te num-
bered, which, in this changing world,
are the causes of serious thought to
thinking men. A withered leaf, or
faded flower, the waning moon, or the
setting sun, publick calamity, or pri-
Vate sorrow, the careless gaiety of
childhood. and the faltering step of age,
magniticence and misery, a splendid
pageant, solitary tear, a baptism, a
funeral, accident, sickness and DEATH
have all voice, moral, and warn
ing.
The seasons of the year, too, speak in
almost human language; and men have
been fond of tracing, in their phenome-
ma, resemblances TO their own existence,
feelings, and pursuits. Youth and
spring have been joined together with
bands of flowers; the fruits of summer
have imaged our maturity; our decline
is foretold by the brown hues ofautumn;
and winter has lent to age its hoar-frost
and its SHOWS.
The notice so generally taken Of the
day which has been fixed upon to COM
mence. our years, is proof that it is con-
nected with many human sympathies.-
How, indeed, can we help being affect
ed by the silent marks which measure
out our lives, and serve as stated bound
aries to the mysterious progression OF
time?
Religion gives deep interest to no.
tices like these, and leads us to value and
improve them, and raises our thoughts
from the divisions and events of time, TO
Him who is without beginning, and with
out end
five feel in proper manner our de-
pendence on God, and the responsibility
OF our actions, We shall often look back
on the experiences of the past, and for
ward to the promises and acquisitions of
the future. At the commencement of a
new year, especially, we shall be dis
posed 10 think ON what the last has re-
ceived and returned, and on.what the
coming one should accomplish
In the year which has gone by, we
have been supported, as we have ALWAYS
been, by an arm which never tires, and
supplied from bounty which never can
be exhausted, We have tasted of lows
TIL we have expected them as our right;
aud comforts have been so literally i'm
parted to us, that we have ceased to re-
mark them. We can recall many in
stances in which we have been rescued
from sudden pain and death. Troubles
have been averted, griefs have been al
levlated, losses have been repaired
We have been saved when we had des-
paired of help, and snatched from the
waters, when they had well nigh gone
over us.
How have we shown our sense of
these favours What has been our graf
ltude, and what service have we rem
dered! If we answer truly, we shall
nave little reason to be satisfied with
our review. Our consciences will re.
peat long and fearful account of op-
portunities neglected, talents unimprov-
ed, powers perverted, time misuent,
warnings unheeded, and promises I'M
performed. Many an evil consequence
rises up to point out our misdeeds, and
our bosoms will acknowledge their own
unthankfulness. We shall be obliged 10
confess, that selfshness has often ST.
fenced the voice of better feelings, that
interest has prevailed over duty, fashion
over propriety, and habit over convic-
ton. We shall remember, aud we ought
to remember with shame and contrition.
that we have suffered ourselves 70 listen
again and again, to the suggestions of
passion and temptation--fo listen and TO
yieh-though experience admonished.
and instruction forbade, and principle
resisted, and wisdom cried aloud.