Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-31
Now Years and ITS Opportunity.

New York independent.
1t is well, that the season Of good resoiu
tions comes round again, and that its cus,
toms should be observed. Though re
| solves to live better and more unscllis
| lives are so often broken, it is well, never
theless, that they should be made, it is
better to have good intentions for one ho;,l
than not to have them ut all. There is nt
man who is not better for pure. unse!iisl
resolves, however brief they may be.
Many \ protligato will promise himself
with the advent of the New Year. to live 3
cleaner, less sensual life for the future,
just as protigatcs have been doing ever,
year that is past. Some, we have no doubt
will keep the promise, and become helps, ,iot
hinderances,i i'll society. Many will soon for
get, perclance, III the madness OF the cap,
their resolve to reform. But it is some
thing to have realized their degraded con
dition, and to have sighed for escape from
il. The few weeks in which they have
been true to themselves will prove to be /,
blessed interregnIm in tic sway of tic
tyrant an interval charged with pleas ,nt
memories, whose sweetness may lin.e.
ard yet work out salvation.
1t is good that there is Il time for max
ing resolutions of reform The present is
always the best time but ii New Year re-
minds those who have no thought Of lcav-
ing off bad habits at any ether time that
they ought to mend their ways, let us
strive to perpetuate these associations
The reason so many promise to :'turl
Overa new Leaf with the New Year
is because they do not want 4 bad
and :, good record mixed Oh the
same page. They desire that the whole
year should be clean. and not 4 part bad
and 4 part good. No man is ire
tricvably lost who is capable OF i thought
like this, 4 desire for q pure lie and when
he puts out his foot to take new path let
all who know him help him. Strive to
deepen his desire to live a clean, manly
life. 1t is seilishuess which cOrrodes our
nature, blunts our moral perceptions. and
qucnches our purest aspirations. Help
men out of the slough of scliishnesS.
Many who arc not controlled by the ap-
petite for strong drink need to resolve to
escape from other selfish indulgences.
There may he little hope that the sot who
is capable Of good resolutions will keep
them but other forms of seltishncss are
not usually accompanied By such an ;lb-
ject slavery Of the will, unless long fostercd
and resolves to break away from them
may be all the more confidently made.
Turn over the pages of your record for the
past year, and when you have found a sell
fish indulgence, which grievcs You, make
resolve for the New Year and for all
time. You may thus, continuing the
pruning process year by year, cut off many
unsight!y and Troublesome growths
Do You fear Cor your steadfastness?! You
shall gain strength continuity in doing
we'll. You have the approval OF your own
conscience. You shall have the sweet re-
ward attending all virtuous acts. You
shall have, better and greater than all, the
aid Of Him who is so merciful and kind,
so anxious to save that he strives witt, the
most degraded sinners to induce them to
repent