The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-01-24

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power
Can stay him in his silent course, or melt
His iron heart to pityY"
Another year has flown, and with it
"many glorious throng of happy
dreams We have begun the new year
with new hopes, new plans, new prom
iscs; and, although we miss the smiling
faces Of many who were with us in the
bright young days of the past year, their
loved forms are indelibly traced on men,
ory's tablets, and, while Hope pours its
healing oil on afflicted hearts, and points
with cheering finger to the heights above,
where bliss is seen in all its Respondent
rays, we pause as Memory paints some
cherished scene in the dear old year,
gone from earth forever.
The beginning of year is the stand
point from which we look backward as
well as onward. The Future, with open
arms and Turing voice, is calling us to
come; and, as we merrily greet the glad
new year, freighted with fresh buds of
hope, there falls tear Of pity for the
dead year lying low amid faded flowers
and sere leaves, and we gather up our
own withered garlands and vanished
dreams, cast them upon his bier with
requiem of sighs, and turn again to
smile upon the glad new conner.
Did we at the commencement Of this
year look back upon the past with emo
tions of regret? Had we a conscious
ness that there were things left undone
which should have been accomplished ?
1t is true that the past, with its sunny
hopes and rosy dreams, can never be re-
called but if we begin now, with full
determination to do all the good we can,
and to avoid whatever is wrong, or that
will encourage wrong and evil in others,
we may anticipate a year of happiness.
Whittier has the old year flown? No
answering voice comes back to whisper
where he rests; but we know that we,
like the sad old year, must soon pass
through the portals of Times cathedral
into the dark ocean. of eternity, and
there the merciless waves of forgetful-
ness shall soon wash our image from
earth forever. Ought we, then, to con-
slider fame necessary to happiness. when
we remember how many of those who
had climbed the highest cliffs of fame
have passed away to be seen and heard
no more. IL is true that we might COM
mune with the illustrious departed
through their works and in the record of
their deeds; but in this progressive age
we generally find enough to do in keep
ing up with things present, and will be
likely to let those who have gone down
with the times rest in peace.
1t is not the accomplishment of great
things which makes life illustrious. The
test of true worth is to do well those
things which are before us in our every
day relations and duties.
There have been but four earthly he
roes whose deeds have worldwide |
celebrity and influence. Alexander con-
quered world; Columbus discovered
world Luther reformed world Wash
ington freed world. There can never
be another hero of worldwide tame, but
the great achievements now to be done !
require all men to be heroes do that |
heroic work Of individual man: each one
govern /4inrssg. wont@fi,h events ser
dom occur except in romance, and those
things which are in their result consid-
cred great are usually brought out by
Insignificant means.
'Let us, then, he up an doing,
With heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and To wait"
May this be year of happiness to
all, and may We, at its close, be able to
look back upon the past and say, 81
have done what could"