Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-01-01
THE NEW YEAR.

THE NEW YEAR.
Another year has passed away and be-
longs to history! Another year, with all
its pleasures and troubles--its triumphs
and defeats-its successes and disappoint-
ments, has passed away never to be re-
called! Anotkeryear, with its lost oppor-
tunities and errors. its sins of omission and
commission, has gone from US and is be-
yond the power of the Immutable Omni-
potent Himself to bring back again. This
is sad reflection to those of us who have
failed proftably to avail ourselves of the
time thus afforded for usefulness here or
hereafter. Time recedes but eternity ad
heart at our past failures, but looking only
to the future with its bright hopes, enter
upon the new year with holy aspirations
and high resolves to do our duty, whatever
it may be, manfully, bravely. If the past
year has gone from US forever, with its
golden opportunities, never to be recalled,
uiISt w li1SC dilO"Stt IL " SIIp w W llIl-
out gathering all its treasures, yet one of
these-its greatest perhaps-the goodness
Of Providence has left with US. without
effort on our part to obtain it or even de-
serve it. This is e1perience-dear bought
perhaps, yet withal priceless to those who
profit by its lessons. 1t is true, as Cole
ridge Eve think said, ito most men expe
rience is like the stern lights of ship.
which illumine only the track it has pass
ed" Let US not be of this thoughtless
class, but rather of those, who, gathering
light from the past, will make it serve to
brighten the future pathway which shall
lead on to success, until we be covered
with the
FROSTY signs and chaps Of age,
Grave witnesses of true experience.
In taking a retrospect of the past year,
each one of us can see some errors, some
mistakes, from which have followed long
train of misfo-tunes in many instances
perhaps we then acted according to the
best dictates Of our judgment and with
the purest motives. Now, however, look
ing back, we can see our errors. Not to
avail ourselves of this opportunity for re-
Election, when taking last lingering look
upon the departing year as we stand up
on the threshold of the new, would be to
prove ourselves possessed of a consistent
stupidity which is beyond the hope of
enlightenment. 1t is then the part of
wisdom, looking back to the past, and by
an earnest effort, garnering its wealth of
experience; turning then to the future, to
enter upon its duties with resolute pur-
pose to profit by the golden harvest thus
gathered. This is the time then, of all
Others, best for selfcommuning and self
examinations, and having detected our
faults and errors let us resolve firmly, with
assistance from above, not to be led astray
again by the same weaknesses. What
though review of the past is made sick
ening by our own repeated folly, or long
train of disheartening adversities, we
should not lose hope. five are suffering
from the effect Of our own follies, repeated
time and again, the remedy is with our
selves. The good Book tells US that the
lust man fell seventy times seven in one
day: surely then there is hope for all who
make an effort to redeem themselves. If
our misfortunes are the result of seeming
adverse circumstances, do not despair but
"pick flint and try it again" The weak
and cowardly can float along gaily on the
tide of prosperity, but it takes the strong
arm and brave heart of a true man to
breast tbs storms of adversely. Arouse
your courage! What though the tide is
strong against you now, and you are too
weak to stem its torrent, yet it must turn.
Remember ''the race is not always to the
swift, nor the battle to the strong ard
that 1.-THE darkest hour is often just before
day." and then take courage. ACT well
YOUR part, there the honor lies and you
will be rewarded, if not here, surely here
after.