American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-03
Communicated from the "socia Circle. "sl


THOUGHTS ON THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR
Another year has passed away! Yes, ano-
Their has been added to the list of time; and
have we fully realized all its joys, its hopes, its
fears? or has disappointment thrown its shadow
around US? We are yet to enter upon the I'M
tried events of a new one, for we know not
what Joys, what sorrows, will be ours. The
future is yelled from mortal sight, and we are
linked to it, by hope alone, that bright star
which lures us onward-that invites us to press
forward amid surrounding difficulties We now
stand as monuments of the past, and no doubt
we often look back, on by-gone days, and re-
gret perhaps, our many mistakes. But it re-
mains for us to learn experience from the past,
and improve the time that may still be ours;
for upon the improvement Of the present, will
depend our future happiness. And may the
year Just commenced be crowned with lfes
best Joys; may the wreath of love and friend
ship be placed on every brow, and woven of the
fairest flowers. May we feel the full import
ance of performing every duty, and discharg-
ing gracefully every responsibility our situation
in life requires.
Many, who but few months ago were baskng
in the sunshine of youth and beauty have gone
from amongst us. The spirit has winged its
graced this earth, with all its stateliness and
grandeur, is now Wondering in the grave
the silent grave-which contains all that once
seemed lovely. The places of those departed
ones around the social hearth can never be fill
cd; none can fill their vacant seats. 1t is re-
membrance of their many virtues, and the plea
sing thought of q reunion when time shall be
no more, that can fill the void in the hearts of
Al l. al, Loo,
onward, through the vista of coming years,
and see the bark of destiny bearing us on the
tide of life; and we may fancy to ourselves,
that nothing can mar the bright prospect before
US. But let US not rest too securely; tor clouds
can o'ershadow the fairest sky.
The young and blooming bride, who has just
pledged before the altar, her VOWS of unchang-
ing affection, DER her bridal robes have been
laid aside, has beer called to bid adieu to all
whom she loved on earth, and become an in-
habtant of that brighter world; and he who
chose her to be his wife, is left to shed the tear
of deep and heartfelt sorrow for one whose
Brightness of character would have thrown a
round his path halo of glory. The daughter
too, who had been the pride of her parents,
one in whom they had placed their fondest
hopes, has, like some beautiful flower, flourish
ed awhile and then been nipped by the fell de-
stroyer. And the lovely child, just bursting
forth in life and Joy, before half its beauties
have been unfolded to view, has been Transplant
ted to fairer scene. And the mother, who has
ties stronger than life to bind her TO earth, is
called by an untimely death, to relinquist all;
and as she gazes with fond affection on those
little ones, given her to be transplanted in the
paradise of her God, she feels there will DO
none to guide them in the path Of duty; none
to wipe from their eyes the tear Of sorrow; for
no voice like that Of a mothers can cause
smile to cross the pallid check. As dark
thoughts of the future crowd thick and fast up
on her, she sees amid the surrounding gloom
one ray, one bright ray Of hope; for the eye of
faith points her to those celestial glories, and
she feels her confidence renewed in Him who
has promised to DO the friend Of the fatheress,
and to Him she commits them, knowing that
he will shield them from the storms and tenn
pests of life.
As we have now entered the new year, with
the full enjoyment of every blessing, let US
cherish bright anicipatons of the future, and
gid our coming years with hopes brightest
flowers. We renUw all here; but who knows,
that before another annual revolution Of the
earth has brought us back to this point. we may
have experienced changes Of sad character
for nothing here can ensure to us lasting hap.
piness May those social feelings which ere
the sunlight of existence, become brighter and
stronger as the shades Of declining years fall
around us; and may we look. back with plea
sure on those happy evenings spent by us now,
as bright spots on nfemory's page; for it will
be pleasing reflection to know, that we have
enjoyed so delightfully."-, the society of each
other; and may health, happiness and friend
ship, be the crowRing gifts Of Ill. Sc.
THE "Sociai Circle" is an associationin this city
of ladies' and gentlemen, who assemble weekly for in.
tellectua improvements deserving object in which
I. thor, cur