The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-01
THE TURNING TIDE OF TINE.
The Fantaslical, Funny, Solemn and
Fancifnl Phases Of the Season.
NeuTnful and Gladstone Memories Genial
and Derry Greetings.
fHB "WAqra MEETINGS" LAST NIGHT.

ssThe last day OF the year % said eacu belated
fevelleF to himself land their number was legion
~ he returned home In the drizzie which made the
'wee sma' hours'' OF yesterday morning so intensely
eAssgTeeaDle. Indeed, nearly oil the gayety and
SOCIAL fesgiviy that usually characterize the dying
heurs Of the year were Oy respect for Sabbatarian
traditions transferred 10 Saturday niRht-the drink
mig Of toasts and harmless mirth ana exuberant
l0llity with which all men Of healthy tastes and
genial habits celebrate the last moments Of On
annual visit OF timi6-were discounted by tns
pressure Of o pious necessity. People seemed un-
willing TO separate AZ assembled in friendly con-
cldve round the family hearths. They chatted over
the losses and the game, the joys and the sorrows,
she bereavements aud the changee, the births ana
marriages OF the twelvemonth that with Tying feet
was speeding forward through the last quarter
mile stretch Of Its appointed course to the
goal OF death and nothngness Now the steam
ing cup passed gaiy round, as recolecuons Of
joyous Junketlng parties and merry reunions were
called up before the eye OF memory; and, again,
mist Of tender regret blurred the vision as there
sprang 10 the lips, but halted on the threshold OF
speech and died away in q meaning silence, that
sadly familiar wish =
M But Cor the touch OF a vanished band
Aud the sound Of voice that 10 still
But bachelors OF a gay turn OF mind by no means
sontented themselves win these goMsstc forms Of
New YEARS Fvs lestivity. With fnisz, Joyous step
they threaded their way through the dismal
mist until they reached their club or
uome other familiar haunt Of friendly re-
unlOn And in such temples Of genial Fellowship
she fun indeed waxed fast and furious. Mems wits
seemed sharpened by the Inspiration OF the time,
and sparklg jests ana gay stories and festive songs
fell upon sympathetic ears, and were received with
rapturous thunders Of applause or loud bursts OF
wholesome laughter. No doubt all felt year
Older as the light Of time was brought home TO
them by the inevitable suggestion OF the season,
and, conscious of the opportunities they
had lost and sadly impressed with the
certainty OF the end that must sooner or later
point their lives AMI consgn them to that same fate
a. that which Jew hours later would enguf the
passing year, they abandoned themselves without
restraint to mirtb anu pleasure. At such tlme II
at all, surely permissible to obey that old, old
doctrine, pagan though it may be. Of ''eat drink
and be merry, for tomorrow We de-" No feasts
are 30 furl0usy gay a. those which, ike the reves
Oi Arbaces, are graced with the presence OF skee-
ton.
Il, Yesterdas, however, was passed after more
subdued knd decorous fashion,. AS Will be seen
churches was unusually large, and the disc curses
Of the preachers borrowed Inspiration and gained
force and vigOp ana meaning from the eOlemnlty Of
the time Standing the verge OF the grave Of the
year, there rose up before many a conscience
wOrds Of noly wrl:-"Work while II is day. for
The night coneth, wherein no man can work" In
escence Of time the seed OF grace fell as apon con-
GENIAL soil, and IN many cases Will doubtless bear
fruit a HUNDRED fold.
The interest Of the day, however, eliminated at
tile watcn.night services. which were held at great
number OF churches, and OF which we give full
accounts elsewhere The iervid earnestness OF
these assemblies Is almost prOverbal, especially
among the MethodiSts VINO, with that shreWd
skill which controls their work, ana which
prompts them to seize upon any lawful means
10 WIN souls to God have always made the most OF
the influences OF the season. Souls long dead TO
the pleadings OF the Holy Spirit were stricken with
horror ana dsmay they realized the guilt oil SIN,
the need for salvation and the awful nearness OF
eternity. The scales oil neshly blindness drawn
from their eyes, they Frustrated themselves at the
throne OF grace, and with fearful confessions OF
their transgressiOns besOugnt forgiveness. Thus
the new year was ushered III with the joyous pRans
OF rejoicing angels as they celebrated the redemp-
lion OF sinners.
In its material aspects the day was very disa-
Rreeaple one. The air was damp and chilly, and
the streets were greasy with mlre overhead low,
suilen clouds shrouded the sky and 0bscured the
light OF day. one could not help thinking, indeed,
that the sooner the Ola Year were dead the better
he could not do something better for US in the way
Of climate However, age Is almost universally
Grabbed aud dsagreeaple; and VINO could reason
ably expect an Ola Year To be Jolly on his death bedl
Besides to most OF U.s. he was good friend, and
loaded us with BENEFITS and gadneSs 1t was out
meet therefore, that should be indulGent 70 MS
last shOrcOming, and should take leave OF him
without reprOaches. But, perhaps, the best way to
honor his memory Ia 70 give rOus1ng welcome to
his child and heir, who, with youthful vigor, springs
into his place with the early light OF this happy