The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-02-13

the like. And this, hanging TO my left side,
is the history oflhe past Christmas sacred
and holy lime that was spent by many in
worldly re joicings and amusemcnts, when il
should have been spent in the nobIer reioc-
iugs of praise and thanksgiving. They re-
membcrcd Christmas. Bur remembered not
Him whose name hnllows and sancIites it
have also an account of the deeds Of drunk
enness-deeds that are enough TO clOtbe the
world in suck-cloth. When will lis authors
learn to fear God!
New Year, You carry, indeed grieyous
burden.
Old Year. And yet it is not all of carth's
history hear not the records OF murder
and Islander, those monsters of crlme-the
Dragon and the Serpent OF Hell. Their deeds
are stamped upon their own hearts, and they
will bear their own records TO Eternity.
New Year. But perceive several small
caskets in your bosom, different in their APP
pcarance from the others, what are they:
Old Year. These, land us he drew them
forth, his care worn face was lighted up with
Il smilc,) are treasures ofinestinable Value
There are four ofthem. This one is silver,
set withrubies and bearing the signet OF lleav-
en- Ii contains record Of the sorrows and
trials ofthe righteous, all of which will III one
day he converted into Jewels for their crowns
VI
contain, each of them, a picture. The first
is Faith leaning upon the cross Of Christ The
second is Hope, in the attitude Of prayer,
looking to Heaven. The third is Charity, THAT
endured all things and did aims in secret
Angels will gaze upon them with feelings OF
wonders and admiration.
New Year. But whittier dost thou carry
all those things, venerable father;
Old Year. 10 God! III could | would
commit all ofthem TO you iathomless gull,
save these four baskets. But as Il faithful
chroniclcr and messenger Of God, | must
render an impartial account To the record All
gel.
New Year You have travelled far, then,
and seen much.
Old Year. Oh, yes! have travelled over
the whole earth, and ofcoursc seen much-
have seen something of Joy, but much more
of sorrow. When first started OH tue Jour
ney which is now about to close standing
where YOU do now, the future lay bright and
guilcluss before me. ! looked upon much of
promise and i'bcnuty that has since passed
away. saw youth, vigorous with health
and tull oi'the fire of genius. lie looked up
OH an cmucnce. aud brheld beautiful ic-
male holding the lhapct OF fame i'll her hand
aud he bounded forth, like a young lion, 1or
the prize. But he las passed ls vISor and
promise away. He was cuticed into the
hunts of vice, aud entered the cell Of intem-
perauce, from which lie came forth raying
maniac; aud. in the last and only interval OF
reason, died with curses and imprecations
upon those who should have guarded his
youthful steps, with Il stern vigilance. l saw
a maiden whose glowing check and elastic
step told that she was the daughter OF Health.
Beauty crowned her III ,hC assembly OF her
tayorltes She was sweetest III the song and
brightest 1T the tircsidc. Eyes cleaned with
pleasure rs they lDIlcwcd her sylph.like form
gliding like spirit through the maZcs Of Tie
dance. But she has passed Likes bird from
the bowers OF Spring. She has become the
bride of Death. The grave-worm kisses that
lip OF coral, and stretches lis Shiny length up
OH that check otrosCS. saw an old man
bent with care and age. lie talked OF stocks
and exchanges, otmoncy aud accounts, ana
was busy laying plans Tor the future. / saw
his aged wife, and her wrimklcd browand fur
rowcd check showed that the thread thar
bound her to life was an rIytcnuatcd web. Yet
the variety of earth was hers. She delighted
to dwell, upon the muuuCSs OF her sons, and
ruZcd with admiration upon the beauty OF
| her daughters. But tho angel Of the Grave
| has been about their dwelling, ana lis walls
10 longer echo to their footsteps. Many
| such are the changes that have swept through
the Indications OF men. But the impression
made by them was as that Of the RAIN drop
upon the water.
| New YEAR. STANDING where you do
nown Do understand from that, that | am
to tread the same ground that you have and
to appear, in the end, as you do now
OLD YEAR. Oh, yes! When, presently,
we part, YOU will receive the same conInls-
sion on that am about 10 resign. The same
mud tbn task will he YOURS.
That tourney is divided INTO four quarters.
The first, called Winter, and which you are
about now entering you will pass over with
vigor, strength and health. Your course
through il will be attended with much gaycty
and festivity, and olwhat else VIII you learn
full soon. In the second, called Spring,
your course will lie along green meadows
and over flower clad hills. You will be
charmed bythe songs Of birds, and soothed
by the merry babblings of long imprisoned
streams. In the third, called summer, The
reupcr's song, the louder carol OF Difds, the
murmur Of waterfalls, shady wood ana drip
ping caves will be your chlefenJoyments In
the latter part of this quarter you begin to
perceive that your strength is filling, and that
YOUR locks are sprinkled with white. In, the
fourth and last quarter, you will pass among
faded flowers and withcrcd herbagc. Your
step will be slower and less firm. Autumn
will shed its melancholy leaves along your
path Its trosts will gather thick upon your
head, and at last, the loud piping oiwinds and
the bitter waing of storms will find you here,
where am now--old, feeble and weary.
| New YEAR. And shall be burdened us
you arc?
OLD YEAR! fear you will. Yet will
depend altogether on the people among whom
your journey lies, They will greet you with
good promises and, rs they think, well form
vou will find will Inc hroIxon nprhnDs forgot