The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1878-12-28
THE OLD AND NEW YEAR.

The OLD AND NEW YEAR.
Before our paper goes to press again the old
year will have gone and the taken its
place. Thus has it been and so will it be. 0ui
great globe makes its diurnal and annual reyOlu-
tons, has done during ages past with precision
and exactness, even to the hundredth part of a
second, challenging the wonder and admiration Of
astronomers and scientists. They calculate eelipses
of Sun and Moon, transits of Venus and Mercury
the coming of OSCILLATIONS and thousands other
variations of the heavenly orbs with almost mar
vellous accuracy. These phenomena are out
worked in the full knowledge that nature never
errs. We know precisely when to expect the YER
nal and autumnal equinoxes, when the days and
nights equal, when the shortest day of the
year, when the longest, and when any other pecu-
liar periods affecting the ponderous planetary
worlds may be anticipated. There is grandeur
and beauty in contemplating these achievements
of science which tend to elevate thoughts
causing us, if there were no other revelation, to
adore and believe in the matchless intelligence
and wisdom of their Infinite Architect. No one
can behold and study such wonders and not be-
lieve in a God. So with the periods in time as
artifciaIly marked out by man. Spring comes
with its buds and leaves and blossoms; then
again we behold our earth covered with still richer
verdure, aiding in preparations for an approach
ing harvest, the autumnal garnering of fruits and
their winters storage. Thus do we pass onward
in the progress of events from day to day and
IN fha oh orb; oh
serbs all that was and all that is, making room
and place for things yet in mystic embryo pre-
ordained for budding into life and beauty. Truly
may we say:
"Time's course is like flowing river
Sure sweeping onward to the MAN,
With drops, that cen, perchance. may never
Return to lave its strands again.
One generation comes and another goes. Still the
river flows onward to mingle in the ocean as hui
man beings press forward obedient to unerring
mandates that they too shall find repose in the
expansive bOundlessness of eternity where time is
unknown and endless existence realized. We
stand as it were upon an infnitessimal point, a
mere hairs bredth, separating past and future so
indiscribably that the millioneth part of moment
is scarcely allowed to think of it. Each breath
belongs to the dead past, each new one is only for
the present that future may superrene and
continue uncertain existence. The worlds histo-
~, mans history and all that there is appertain-
ing to this globe becomes completed book, a
bound volume at the turning point of every sec
ond. The past is past; no power on earth can
recall it. We can use its lessons only for exam
pies to improve upon the future.
This, then, as the old year expires at twelve
o'clock Tuesday night next, and the new one is
born instantly afterward to run its twelve months
round again, we find it fitting period to make
good resolves and improve upon them hencefor-
ward. There are peculiar epochs and points in
time we journey through life, marked by special
events, apty calculated than others to elicit
attention and cause sober, serious reflection.
The departure of the old and coming of the new
year is markedly one of them. 1t places the past
in conspicuous array before us. We can better
see where we have made mistakes or gone astray
and resolve to correct them in days and hours and
years to come.
Without going through the whole category Of
specific evils to which weak human nature is prone
resolve with the present new year to honestly and
earnestly abandon or subdue them. Live better
lives than yeu have been living, so that the ami
versary Of each new year may bring increased joy
and happiness With conscience void of Ofense.
Let the dead past bury its dead; forgive to be
forgiven and realize content in the living present.
In this way sorrows and misfortunes that may
nor hav sod ha sIaI
We can tehold the auroral morn with renovated
hopes and gaze complacently upon evenings gold
en- sunset its last crimson tints mingle into
azure, bringing peace with the ebon shades OF
nights quiet slumbers
Though sorrows and misfortunes may have over
must be remembered these things are incident to
being. Duty calls to a reconciliation and
hope points onward to a eonsummation full Of
future joy where the weary are at rest. We are
to live not alone for ourselves but for others. 1t
would be dreary and useless existence other
wise Sefshness IS too common and a commend
able resolve with the present new year might be
ETOftably made to abandon it. Thankfuineas is
n sublime and beautiful attribute of human nature.
let us then be thankful for the many blessings we
have been permitted to enjoy in the year that has
departed. Righteousness has covered the whole
land. Our fields have yielded abundantly to the
husbandman's toll and all can share therein
Times, it is true, said to have been hard, but
&here is enough to eat and to wear and they might
have been much worse, even unto famine, pesti-
lenee and other calamities. We have cause TO re-
joice that we are as we are. Our allotment in
this latitude is far better than it has been for
thousands of others where epidemics and death
sverswept the land. We are privileged to rejoice
on the one hand and deeply sympathize on the
other.
Personally, in vocation as editors and pub
fishers Of the UNION, we have cause to be thank
full for the many favors bestowed upon us from
kind patrons and friends and for the social inter-
course enjoyed with them during, not only the
past but many years. 1t is our wish and hope
and desire TO henceforward merit all these kind
nesses, striving to improve as years roll onward
There may be those who differ from us politically
and on other subjects, but we are charitabl,
enough to believe such differences are honest and
sincere. Hence II becomes our pleasure to wish
our readers, acquaintance and friends, without
distinction, the compliments of the seasons
HAPPY New YEAR.
The ARMY AND NAVY JOURNAL, New York, il
prompt to recognize the Importance to its cOnstit
uenev of the bill to re-organize the Army, just re
ported Iyy the Joint Committee of Congress. The
hill is & document of 724 sections or 294 octave
pages, and 60 make room for it, the Journal is
sues double number, thirty-two pages in all
Whether the bill pass or not, it is of great inter
est to Army men and their friends as a codifca-
sson of existing Army laws, accompanied with
propositions for change not less than revolution
AIRY IN their effect on the service. With the bill
the Journal gives letter from Generss Sherman
giving his opinion of the proposed reorganization
also a review of the bill with comments on the