Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-01
THE NEW YEAR.


Another year has begun its course. The
old is dead, the new appears. The same
bell that tolled the knell Of 1873 rings in
with merry peal the birth of 1874. The
past is buried except as it lWesin memory.
and through what it accomplished that is
able to withstand the destroying power OF
Time. The future rises before us bright
with promise, bidding us look forward
with hope of better things. renewing our
courage and strength. and filling the heart
with good resolutions.
What the New Year may have in store
for each one of the millions Of mortals that
hail its dawn to-day no one knows. The
ills and misfortunes of life will not be
banished from earth at its coming. Sick
ness, death, poverty, crime, wretchedness
win fill pages in the record of 1874. But
is it not possible that these evils may be
lessened in magnitude. and the sum of
human happiness be increased, by the eff
forts Of each person striving to do better,
to live a better life, to mend his ways
where they have been erroneous? Unless
the doctrine Of fatalism is true. every man
and woman possessed of reason, judgment
and conscience, has in some degree the
web of destiny in his or her own hands, to
fashion it as they will, to make it beautiful
as the texture worn by angels or terrible
with the stains of crime and misery. At
the opening of the year, men especially
feel. il they ever do, that they are ac-
countable in measure for what they are.
They look back and see their faults and
mistakes in the past year or any period Of
past time, and voice within tells them
they might and ought to have done better,
and from this determination and self
reproval springs the resolution to change
the course of life, to amend the ways that
were wrong. The consciousness that men
have Of their ability to shape and control
their destiny is an evidence that they
possess the power to do so. If We could
look into the secret thoughts of the people
around us we should find this feeling pre-
dominating at this season. We cannot
doubt that this will affect their future life.
We have no idea that men are filled with
. consciousness of power and responsible
ity. and yet are totally blind and helpless,
tossed about like straws by the uncertain
winds and waves of Chance. Men may
be wrecked though they struggle hard for
success, like many fine ship with gallant
and trusty officers but there are more men
who Gail through their own vices and faults,
As there are more vessels sunk by the
neglect and incompetency Of those who
command them.
1.-THE wise may suffer wreck
The foolish must"
So then the New Year invites US to new
plans. new prospects. Out of the gloom
OF these short, wintry days, We see the
sun apparently swinging back in his course,
bringing the beauty and wealth and
warmth of the coming summer and au-
tumn, and we rejoice in thoughts of bles-
sings to come. Away with gloom and
dependency at such time! The Past is
immntable, neither tears nor prayers will
change it, but the Future is full Of posi-
bilities. containing both seed.time and
harvest. Let each resolve to make this
happy year, and follow his resolve by ac-
ton to correspond. We know no better
advice to give than that each should strive
TO correct past errors and resolve and
struggle towards the right, and with this
we wish all our readers and all the rest of
the world HAPPY NEW YEAR.