The Portland daily press., 1878-01-01
The New Year,

"A happy New Year" is the wish, in words
at least, Of each man to his fellow to-day.
We all assume that it is to be happy, and look
forward to 1t as the old Greeks looked out to
the fabled garden Of the Hesperides full of all
manner of delights; whatever dragons guard
its gates we feel strong in faith to overcome
them. On this day we give full belief to the
Morse myth, and fancy that the apples of
Iduna are the gift of the New Year to each of
US. The experiences Of the recurring months
teach nothing. Welook forward with hope
so strong 1t is confidence to the good time be-
fore us. 1t is always the coming year that
is to bring happiness. Tomorrow, which
no man finds-for like the end of the rainbow
that children seek after, it is ever little way
offs the blissful time. Multiplied disap.
pointments do not kill our hope. Like the
believers in the speedy Second Advent we,
unshaken by the failure of the prediction,
calmly apply the prophecy to the coming year.
This simple faith, expected of the child to
whom twelvemonth is an eternity in which
all things are possible, is, strangely enough, as
strong in the old man by whom the years fly
swifter than the birds through the air. Well
founded is his hope if he looks forward to the
Blessed Isles in the far-off blue!
However unreasonable our anticipation OF
uncertain felicities it is we'll for US that we
entertain this hope. God help those who
have nothing to look. forward to, not even es-
cape from the wretchedness of the present!
Even if the future does not honor our drafts
upon it we are the better for that faith in our
account or our possibilities which leads us to
present them. The resolve that new days
shall mean new ways, that our former lives
we will amend, and "the old yeare's shines
forepast eschew," we are the stronger for en-
tertaining though we grievously fail in fulfill
ment. But to some of US the ful6llment al
ways comes, to some of Us it will be the gold.
en- year. Strong In the faith that each may
be the fortunate one, all of us can hope. How
ever unhappy, says johnson, we solace our
selves with the hope Of better fortune, and
however vicious appease our consclences with
intentions of repentance. We should hope
for everything that is good, an old writer
WhOhh AuuioOA HuOlOo tOIls uS, UCCduS6 IU6T6
is nothing which may not be hoped for, and
nothing but what the gods are able to give US.
Aud if the wished for happiness does not
come we must console ourselves with the wis
dom of the famous fifth number of the Ram-
bier: "When this time, which is too often
expected with great impatience. at last ar
rives, 1t generally comes without the blessing
for which it was desired; but we solace our
selves with some new prospect, and press for
ward again with equal eagerness'-and look
forward to the promise OF the newer year,
confident that in the fullness OF time the
chimes will ring in the true.
But do not let our hope for the future ban
ish our thankfulness for the blessings of the
past. The old year had some merry days for
all of US, and we looked forward to his COM
ing with all the high anticipations we cherish
| about the coming of his successor. Perhaps,
when we are done with hope, so far as time
| is concerned, it may be last year, and not
| this, we will hold in tenderest recollection.