Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-01-16
THE OLD AND TIE NEW YEAR.
BY MRS. slaouRNEY.

1HE VhD AND IAE NEW }EAE,
BYMRs. sfGouRNEY.
| unused as the midnight hour drew nigh,
and methought the old year stood before
ne. Weary and way-worn he seemed, and
IN has hand was AZ. A99r gll-, from whence
the last sands were fleeing
As looked upon his wrinkled forehead,
memories most pleasant and mourniu came
over me. Fam would | have constrained
his longer stay, aud spake earnestly to
hun
Many blessings hast thou brought me,
Cor which gave thee thanks. New have
they been every morning, and fresh every
moment."
"Thou hast indeed, from my hearts gar
den, uprooied some hopes that | planted
there With their clustering buds they fell,
and were never qnickened again"
Then he said, Praise God, both for
what ] gave, aud what | took away. Aud
lay up treasures IN heaven, that thy heart
may be there also. What thou calest
bllghied hopes, are oflmes changed into the
fruits OF righteousness.
Butt answered, " Thou hast hidden from
my sight the loved and the reyered. Clods
are srewn upon their faces they reply to
my call no more. To the homes that they
made so fair they return not, and the pla-
ces that once knew them, know them no
more forever"
Still lie SAID Give praise TO God
Trouble not thyselfabout those that are with
him. Rather make thine own salvation
sure, that thou mayes, 90 unto them, and be
paued no more"
Then, in faint voice, he murmured,
d" My mission unto man done. For me,
the stone is rolled away from the door of the
sepulchre. | shall enter 10, aud slumber
with the years beyond the flood, till The last
trumpet soundeth."
gazed upon his wan brow, and to me it
was beautiful Fam wonld / have swept
away the SHOWS that had gathered around
his hoary temples but lee suffered me not,
and stretched himself out to die.
BY his side knet, aud said, " O depart
ing year behold scroll folded beneath
~ man'le ~ er. ~ga.ea s!.al' :, hoax o,
me at my Judgment"
Low and solemn were his last tones
" Ask me not Thou shalt know when the
books are opened, aud the dead, small and
great, stand before God.
The midnight clock struck, and | COW
cred my face and mourncd for his death who
had been to me as "a friend, | remembered
with pain how Oft had sighted his warE-
ings aud the opportunities he had given me
Of doing good, aud had cast away the wealth
Of time, that priceless boon from the Eter-
nal
Methought from the dying lips came
feeble sigh, "Farewcl-tlrewell" Then
passion of weeping fell upon me- Aud
when again lifted up my head, 10, The new
year stood in the place OF the departed
Smiling, he greeted me with good wishes
and words of cheer, while around ME lay
many bright tokens of friendship and love.
But | was afraid. For 10 me he was stran-
ger and when | would have returned his
welcome, my lips trembled and were silent.
Then he said " Fear not. | come unto
thee from the Giyer Of every good aud per-
feet gift"
" New Year, whittier wilt thou lead me
Art thou appointed to bring me Joy or sor-
row, life or death p
lie replied, 81 know not. Neither doth
the angel nearest to the throne know only
lliit WIZ citNfAh Ah1iNtH+ wv Wy
hand and question not Enough for thee,
that accomplish His will. Make that will
thine own, and thou shalt wear an angels
smile, even here below.
8" / promise thee nothing. Be content to
follow me. Take, with prayer for Wis
dom, this winged moment The next may
not be mine to give. Yet, if we walk on
ward together, forget not that thou art pill
grim for eternity.
-" If bring thee the cup of Joy, be thank
ful, aud faithful to those who mourn and
let all men be unto lhee as brethren, If
the dregs Of bitterness c,eaye unto thy lip,
be not too eager TO receive comfort, lest
thou betray the weakness OF thy faith. Gods
perfected discipline glYeth wisdom. There
fore count them happy who endure.
When morn breaketh Ia the east, grid
myself for thy duties with song Of thanks
giving. For God is near to those who trust
Him, and rejoice in His ways. And when
night puteth on her coronet OF stars, kueel
and ask that the days sins may be forgiven
thee.
" So, when have no longer any days or
nights TO give thee, and must myself die,
thou shalt bless me as "A friend, aud a helper
on the road to heaven"