Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-01-04
For ths Journal
REFLECTIONS.

Old eighteen hundred fifty-fve has gone.
One cold December night his sands run out.
Few mourned his loss, for all were intent up
on welcoming his young successor eighteen
hundred fifty-six. But if it be indeed true
that 'days should speak, and multitude of
years should teach wisdom" is it not wise
to pause little on the Threshold of the
opening year, and listen to the experience
and teachings of the pastl
How beautiful was the young grcenness
and the warm South winds of its early
Spring, the soft blue violet and dancing
stream; how rich the deepened foliage Of its
Summer time, the balmy air, the early and
the later rains how blessed; how gaily tin
ted were its autumn landscapes, how gorge
Gus its glorious sunsets, and with what
@good measure, pressed down, shaken to-
gcther and running over" were its grana-
RIGS filed. In one brief winter month, with
its short days, cold sleet and clustering
wind, its race was run, and with the years
before the flood it now is numbered.
But thoughts days and months are gone
beyond recall, the year remains Strange
paradox! Yet is it true that on every ra-
tional immortal mind, it has left an impress
as abiding, as though written with the point
of diamond. The morning sun may reach
the zenith, and 90 down at night below the
$ western horizon. The day has gone, but
al that made It emphatically day to Us
remains. It's duties and obligations, its in
fiuence and responsibility, have left signet
on our hearts which no biaekness of dark
ness can cover. How fitting then at these
way-rnarks in Ife's history. to review the
past.
All through the year the fierce and fear
ful conflict in the old world has been raging.
All when shall it once cease, and homes be
no more desolated, and hearts be no more
broken, by the stern tramp of him, who 'sit-
tith on the red horse, and hath power to
take peace from the earth" Pestilence too
Las done its blighting work. Not stalking
through the land broadcast and whitening
as in former years, but here and there, as il
by some impellng fate its path was seen.
How sad its work in those two cities of the
South, where through the long hot summer
days, and through the weary nights the
dead were borne to their last resting place.
What oft repeated casualties at sea! How
many noble vessels loadad with priceless
cargoes Of human life, have gone down
mmg-tae caverns of old 1ocaan's depths;
aid on the land, the firm unshsken- land tc
which the tempest tossed mariner turn:
with such longing eyes; what horid acci.
dent and what appalling death!
But from these dark pictures, let US turn
to the glad memories of the departed year
Upon what happy iresidO gatherings, what
bridal festals, and what dear homes of love
have its bright suns looked forth. How
have merry chiIdrens' voices echoed and re
verberated, as through one vast whispering
gallery, from It's earliest morning till the las
circling sun had set. How has the eartl
tcenaed with luxuriant harvests, and labo
in all departments met with large reward
The arts and sciences have been advancing
Literature has added choice treasures to he
exhaustless stOrehouse. From free discuss
ion truth has been evolved; while from tn,
chaotic mass of conflicting elements, canno
the eye of faith discern the light of civil anC
religious liberty CLEAN out upon the na
tions.
With thoughtful then, but trusting hearts
let us pass this milestone on lie's journey
grid ourselves anew for its labors; burnisl
our armor for its conflicts; looking for res
and refreshmeat oRly when the pilgrimag
IS ended. Then shall the present, whethe
our eyes behold the gathering twilight o
its closing day." or sleep before its noontid
hour, be tous indeed happy, thrice happ,
q