Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-01-01
The Old and the New Year.

Many and great changes have come upon
the world since the dawn of the year just
closed. Many who greeted its advent with
Joy are now among the dead. The bright
hopes that cheered them, faded and died
their trembling hearts felt the dsappoiut.
ment too keenly for their frail bodies to
withstand the shock, and they too have
passed away. Others who beheld the in.
coming year overshadowed with clouds and
gloom, before its close saw the clouds pass
away, and the CHEEKY sunbeams enlighten
all the land with their glowing effulgence,
and their hearts were filled with Joy and
gladness.
The progressive development in the on
ward march of the worlds history has
brought many of the master minds of the
age to the front, and swept away from the
public gaze many who have long been bear
ing the burdens and cares of active and
laborious life. New men must take their
places, and take up the burden where they
laid it down. These changes have not been
confined to the high places in social, fnan-
cial or political life but among the lower
classes of society, who really constitute the
great masses of all communities, it is not so
much noticed il many of their numbers
have gone down to the tomb during the year
and how many there have been, God only
knows. How many sadly stricken hearts
are to be found among the masses of the
people, upon whom the year just passed
opened so brightly
Mourners go about our streets, the habili-
ments of woe drape alike the forms of the
old and the young, the rich and the poor.
Families have been broken up by the great
destroyer. Disasters by sea and by land
have filled thousands of hearts with sorrow.
Pestilence with sable wing has lowered
over many thousand happy homes in the
southern portion of our own country. Our
whole people have bowed in sadness at the
fearful desolation, and the heart of the whole
civilized world has thrilled with the deepest
sorrow at the sore afiliction of our people.
While the pestience has walked in dark
ness and in the light also in one section of
our country, prosperity thrift, peace and
happiness have blessed by far the greater
portion of our vast domain, and our country
has made great advances in all the elements
of positive and permanent wealth.
The first rays of the sun that fell upon
our land in 1870 filed the hearts of forty
millions of people with joy and hope. More
promising fields of industry are opening on
every hand. The signs of the times, the
cheerful spirit of the people, the energy of
those who have recently been brought more
directly before the public gaze, and the
heartiness with which they enter upon their
great work, augurs well for the good name
of our country.
The religious element diffused through
the hearts of the people is gradually but
surely spreading in all our borders, enlight-
ening and elevating all classes. This day
we stand, socially, morally and religiously
upon higher plane of advancement than
ever before, if we are really true to our
selves and our God
Let us stand fast by our principles, be |
guided by the Word of God and enter upon
the life work of the year just commencing
with firm reliance upon divine aid, that at
its close our progress may be seen and
known of all meu.
Another year, with all its hopes and fears,
Has sunk into the deep abyss of time,
And on the threshold Of the new we stand
Like travellers to a strange and distant cline.
Hope, smiling, beckons, bidding us take COURAGE
Faith points to heaven, where God and angels |
dwell,
Assuring us that all our untried future
IL known TO him who " doeth all things well "