The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-12-28
Close of the Year.

Another year draws to a close, and an
other cycle of time, three score and ten Of
which, the psalmist tells us, compass hu-
man longevity, is soon to be recorded in
the annals of the past. The year 1873, a
mere span to older people, but OF slower
tread to those upon the threshold of life,
is about to close, and 1879 is approaching
with rapid wings.
The beginning of each recurring year is
an appropriate time for retrospectiOn and
nrospection. 1t is the commencement, as
Il were. of a new existence. 1t is the time
when it is meet that we should carefully
review the past and lay plans for the fu-
ture. Who among us, with the light OF
cxperience, does not see the mistakes and
errors of the past? Who among us has
not done that which should not have
been done, and left undone that which
should have been done? Retrospection,
to ali of, us, reveals errors of omission as
we'll as of commission, and review OF the
past, if rightly and thoughtfully made,
should enable us to avoid the shortcomings
of an Interchangeable record. Let us, then,
closely scan our actions and learn wherein
we have erred; and with strong resolves
On forward with firm wills to shun the
shoals and quicksands of error Love
God and your neighbor constitute all OF
Gods commands, and he who does that
becomes perfect man; and, in addition
to the treasures he stores above, will ENJOY
the confidence and esteem of his fellow
man.
Retrospection serves, also, to reveal 9TH
or errors than moral ones. In matters OF
barter and exchange, in waste and extrava-
pance. mistakes are revealed, and to avoid
them in the future glance at the past will
be profitable. Experience has been liken-
ed to light in the stern of ship, which
serves only to illuminate the path over
which it has gone, but such should not be
the case. If we have not gained wisdom
by experience, we have lived in vain.
Who, in looking back, does not discover
wherein his fortune could have been bet
tered? Who does not discover the waste
of time and treasure? Who does not dis
cover deleterious bargains and prohtless
speculations? Not one! So upon the
threshold of the new year. let us deter
mine to be more careful, more prudent,
and less lavish.
Let us take cheerful view of the tu-
turc. Day by day and year by year the
world is growing better and more prosper
Gus. The record of 1873 compares favor
ably with that of any preceding one, not
withstanding heavy financial failures and
the closing up of many very many large
manufacturing establishments. No desc
lating wars, at the heavy cost of life and
treasure, are now in progress, and earth
has yielded hountifully to the husband
mans touch. Crops of all kinds have
been prolific, and peace and plenty abound
At home the signs of increasing prosperity
arc manifest, and with the coming year all
may look forward with cheerful confidence
to better times. Our manufactures are
reviving, Our exports are largely increas-
ing and our imports correspondingly de-
creasing. Trade is in our favor, and with
resumption of specie payments on January
1st, our course must be onward and up
ward. Altogether the outlook for 1879
is pleasing one, and we wish our read
ers the full fruition of their hopes and de-
sircs, and may the end of 1879 find hem
more prosperous and more happy than the
end of 1878.