, 1858-12-31
The New Year.

The Year 1858, with all its train Of
eYeuts, goes to-day 10 its reckoning. The
book in which its records we're written is
closed; but still within reach and subject
to the psrusal Of every one who has helped
ia producing the, events and shaping the
results that make up the history of the Pc
riod. AS individuals, acting in the spheres
to which we respectively belong, the re-
sponsibility for our conduct rests with our
selves. No one, we fancy, can close the
volume without rejecting that there is a
large and accommodating balance against US,
when we compare the talents committed to
our charge with the use we have put them
TO- and what has been effected. How
many shall we find rolled in o napkin, and
bringing forth no benefit to the possessor
or the community in which the Improbable
steward is called TO act ? The review of
the year is useful exercise for every one
-irksome to many, who put off until the
time when the great domesday book is
about to close, the balancing OF the ac-
count current between Time and Eternity.
Within the twelve-month past, according
to the ordinary estimate, thiriy.three mil
lion FIVE hundred thousand Of the popula-
tion of the Globe have seen the last OF
earth. Many thousands Of these met death
unexpectedly, and went to their graves
without warning, The army annually mar
shaled on the other side OF Charon's river,
by the dread King of Shadows, would cir
Gle the Globe, with columns Of thirteen.
hundred to every mile. What motley
crowd! There are those who have sunk
peacefully to their rest, yielding up this
life with resignation and hope; Others have
died as the soldier dies, amid the clouds
and clamor Of battle; some have gone down
in deep waters, with the sinking ship, their
last thoughts Of the far off home and friends;
many have approached their end along a
thorny road, beset with troubles and trials,
without ray of christian light in their
souls to guide and cheer them; how many
have gone like dumb driven cattle" into
the chnrnel-house, and looked on death
with glaring, hateful eyes, All dnd the
grave an equalizer. Dust to dust, ashes
to ashes. And as they came into the world
alike, SO must they go from t--whatever
the funeral pomp and circumstance, or the
squalor and wretchsdness, neglect or crime
that attend the departed to the long home.
These are serious thoughts; but not too
morosc or morbid Are they not peculiar
ly useful at this time, when the poetic in
Junction should come to each one with
fresh force:
SO live, that when thy summons come To Join
The innumerable caravan that moves ..U
To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls Of death,
Thou goeth not, like the quarry slave At night.
Scourged to his dungeOu but, sustained and soothed
By an unialterng trust, approach thy grave
Like one who wraps the drapery Of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant Dreams.
The sounds Of gIadnesS that attend the
opening of the New Year Are already heard
in very many mansions. Let's live while
we live, is the Epicurean philosophy; and
If rightly construed, il is just aud proper.
Be happy, serene and confident; using all
the faculties of your nature for some good
end, aud apply your hearts unto wisdom
SO you shall have Happy New Year!