The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-01-12
The 0Id and fine New Year.


American Hemans will arrest the attention of the
reader of taste, as beautiful specimen of prose
poetry-Ed. American Messenger.
1 unused as the midnight hour drew nigh, and
methought the Old Year stood before me. Wea-
ry and way-worn he seemed, and in his hand was
an hour-giass from whence the last sands were
feetng t5f..
AS / looked upon his wrinkled forehead, men,
ories both pleasant and mournful came over me-
Fain would have constrained his longer stay, and
spake earnestly to him:
'sMany blessings hast thou brought me, for
which give the thanks. New have they been
every morning. and fresh every moment.
'rhou hast indeed from my hearts garden up
rooted some hopes that had planted there With
their clustering buds they fell, and were never
quickened again." f
Then he said, "Praise God, both for what 1 gave,
and what took away. And lay UP treasures in
heaven, that thy heart may be there also. What
thou callest blighted hopes, ofttimes changed
into fruits of righteousness"
But answered "Thou hast hidden from my
sight the loved and the revered. Clods are strewn
upon their faces; they reply to my call no more
To the homes that they made so fair they return
not and the places that once knew them, know
them no more forever"
Still he said, "Give praise to God. Trouble not
thyself about those that are with him. Rather
make thy own salvation sure, that thou mayest go
unto them and be parted no more"
Then in a faint voice he murmured, "My mission
unto man is done. For me the stone is rolled
away from the door of the sepulchre shall en-
ter in, and slumber with the years beyond the
food, till the last trumpet soundeth."
! | eazed upon his brow, and to me 1t was
beautiful Fain would 1 have swept away the
SHOWS that gathered around his hoary temples;
but he suffered me not, and stretched himself out
to die.
Bv his side knelt, and said, 20 departing Year!
I behold a scroll folded beneath thy mantle
What witness shall it bear of me at the Judgment" !"
Low and solemn were his last tones. "Ask me
not Thou shalt know when the books are open
ed and the dead, small and great, stand before
God"
The midnight clock struck. And covered my
face, ond mourned for his death who had been tc
me as friend. l remembeled with pain how of
l had sighted his warnings and the opportunitie:
he had given me of doing good, and had cast away
the wealth of time, that priceless boon from the
Eternal ts--.
Methought from the dying lips came feeble
SIGH "Farewell-farewell'' Then passion o
weeping fell upon me. And when | again lifted
10, the New Year stood in the place of the depart
ed
e Smiling, he greeted me with good wishes anc
. words of cheer, while around me lay many brigh
tokens of friendship and love. But was afraid
y For to me he was stranger; and when woulc
C have returned his welcome, my lips trembled ant
: were silent
: Then he said, "Fear not. / come unto thee iron
the giver of every good and perfect gift"
"New Year. whittier wilt thou lead me? Ar
S thou appointed to bring me JOY or sorrow, life o
: death ?''
e He replied, 81 know not Neither doth the an
,, gel nearest to the throne know. Only him who s
teth thereon. Give me thy hand, and questio
J. not Enough for thee, that accomplish his vii
Make that will thine own, and thou shall wear a
e angels smile, even here below.
81 promise the nothing. Be content to folio
:, me- Take, with prayer for wisdom, this winge
:. moment. The next may not be mine to give
:, Yet, if we walk onward together, forget not tn;
thou art pilgrim for eternity.
- "If bring thee the cup of JOY, be Thankful
: and pitiful to those who mourn; and let all men
e. unto thee as brethren. If the dregs of btterne
cleave unto thy lip be not too eager to receive con
fort, lest thou betray the weakness of thy faith
;" as Gods perfected discipline giveth wisdom Their
81 fore count them happy who endure:
~ . "When morn breaketh in the east glrd thyse
p for thy duties with song of thanksgiving F.
a. a. God is near to those who trust him, and rejoice
:. - his ways And when night putteth on her cor
Il net of stars kneel and ask that the days sins mi
n be forgiven thee.
IL I $50, when have no longer any days or nigh
~ ~ to give thee and must myself die, thou shall BILE
~ ~ me as friend and helper the road to haa
y en-" L. H. D.