The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-31
ESSAY,

Road before tho Eastern Star Lodge, by
Mrs, s. T. Hasseltine, en- New Years eve,
at the Masonic Hall, Bristol.
The day is nearly past, and darkness
will soon cast its dim pail over earth and
sky. My days labors are completed
Hands that were busy through the day are
now resting from toll, and am at this mo-
ment sitting in my accustomed nook and
corner where am sometimes wont to re-
tire at times of leisure, and it is a fact well
known to myself, that it is here, and only
here, that hold communings with self,
and in cancellations fancy free," roam at
my own will and pleasure. In this sane
tum, everything is conducted In accordance
to my own wishes, and no one to charm or
make afraid" Here my observations are
taken, and my heart often lightened from
the care' aud anuoyances of every day
life. Ye, ! am here, with pen in hand
ready to OBEY my behest, and as l am
watching the ever varying and shifting
clouds, the sun, that brightest browning
glory of the world, is slowly sinking
from sight, not in roseate sea of spl n
dor, for darkening clouds overcast the sky
yet all nature seems to breathe of peace,
and every object within range of vision
wears a quiet, placid look. Bat why do
take note of this particular time, why am
paying homage to natures varied mood, at
this the closing hour of day when mothers
duties and interests ought to be elsewhere,
than silently and abstractedly gazing at the
last lingering rays of the setting sun, why
fraught with such interest, that / choose
this hour to let thought have its undisputed
sway. Still sit and watch, while the sun
slowly descending,
In silence and grandeur, though bright tints
In beauty, yet din are growing It's rays,
For they are fading, with the last or the old
years days.
Although nature is wrapped in repose,
yet the calm and quiet without seems but
prelude to the hustle, hurry and confu-
sion that is soon to reign everywhere. All
seems to portend some particular event.
Surely something of note and Importance
Is soon to transpire. Even in our own
quiet and beautiful village perhaps. Busy
feet are hurrying to and fro.
Preparing to "trip the light fantastic too,"
Ana through the may waltz and dance,
They spend their time TO flirt and France.
And other festivities are likewise in pre-
paration, and as joy and sorrow 60 hand in
hand, there are many at this moment, pros
trsted with that dreaded of all earthly ills,
disease, blanching and paling the features,
and some that are now bending over the
white drapered couch of the dead, fit
emblem of that other death, that is fast ap-
preaching, and whose swift coming is now
being heralded through every state and
town. The most obscure hamlet is warned.
Many will watch and wait in breathless 81
lence until the rubicon is passed. Then
when the morning sun will have dawned,
the merry, happy ring of many voices, will
resound through the crisp frosty air, peal
ing forth the rich tones Oft wish you q
happy new year." Yes, my friends, the
old year is dying tonight. Its cold icy
breath is fast waning, soon its faint sighings
and quiverings will be heard and seen no
more. Oil that the thousands of good
wishes, that on the morrow will be breathed
from the lips of dear friends, might be full
filled. Our cup of JOY would then over
flow, with the aroma of happiness, could
that hope be realized, and when the mu-
tual, earnest prayer of every heart isl
wish you happy new year, what match
less priceless gems they are. Our Creator
has enkindled within us, lofty aspirations
has placed US in world SO replete with
beauty and harmony that our hearts must
expand, and we cannot pass heedlessly by
this interesting period, and then we make
.! so many good resolutions at this time,
but alas for us, poor frail ones of the dust
our best resolutions often eyaporate in
thoughts and words. We long ago bid
good bye to the buds and blossoms of sum
mer, and now we must try and welcome,
with as good grace and cheer as possible,
the biting blasts and SHOWS of January.
Ind that the prospect from my window, af-
fords little to admire except certain gran
deur and stateliness in the outline of our
lofty mountains. Grand and sublime still,
though all beauty and color has fled. AL
though there is little in the face of nature,
to cheer and gladden., we must brighten
with our hearts and hands in the various
enjoyments that winter brings. In home
pleasures and festivals, such as the pre-
sent occasion affords, and these social gath
erings of good cheer and kindly hearts
who would have them left out of the year.
almost believe that the divine injunction
that saws, "Forget not the assembling OF
yourselves together WAS to be viewed in
u social relation, as well as religious man
date. May these reunions be to US in the
future as sweet voices from the past. The
one bright OASIS in the desert of our ex-
istencc. To you who bear the honored
name Of Free ma5ons, have few words
TO add. know that we are apt to write,
as well as say, bitter truths, but do not
blame, or hurl invectives at me, if VEN
ture to say that professed christians often
mind the injunction. "Pray without ceas-
ing aud too frequently that is about all
some of them do, but believe tho masons
motto Is work, and ! suppose they pray
too, but we all know, that it is "by their
works ye shall know them" and the good
book tells us that the true religion does not
consist in the oft repeated prayer, nor strict
attendance to church matters and duties,
but to heal the sorrows Of the needy and
falherless, not only with kind words but
good deeds, and my opinion is that the def
inihon of the word "good deeds, is to open
our purse strngs (f not to their utmost
capactytwhy open them) full AZ wide as
our circumstances aud condition will allow.
really regret to say that my knowledge
of Freemasonry is very limited, almost d.
plorably so. We all know the old adase
Ignorance is bliss" and if that is so, |
ought to be supremacy happy upon this
topic. 1t is also a common saying that IA
little knowledge is dangerous thing" II