Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-01-06

Special Correspondence INDEPENDENT.
JANUARY Isl, 1888.

JANUARY Isl, 1888.
The year 1882 has passed way,
and il now numbered with the
things of the past, and we as free
people and independent nation are
here TO greet the natal morn ofthe
New Year She comes to us in
brilliant radiance, sparkling lustre
and vivid brightness. All nature
seems to lend listening ear to the
revelations of Gods untold wis
dom. Every eye is directed 10 the
calender of time: every heart is
burdened with grief or buoved
with hope, and every soul is liv-
ing in the delusive world of ex-
pectancy and mystery, Some are
just launching their frail bark
upon the turbid waters of this
tempesiuous SCI of life, viii st
others are cast upon the shores Of
eternity, where the next born year
will have no ending. How many!
oh, how many! feel sad when the
knell of the departed year Is
sounded! Why p? | ask the ques
ton, I will answer it in my own
weak way: Every year has its re-
cord of our works. A certain por-
E ton of work is required of Us; our
Great Task master keeps IA strict
account and requires a balanced
sheet but when the daybook of
life is opened before us, at the
close Of a buried year, we gaze
upon its blank pages with staring
eyes, and just then realize the de-
ficiency we had not before thought
of. The day is past and the night
has come when no man can work.
Now comes the mournful Wailing
for that which we had, but cannot
recall; and with shamed face and
repeu.ant heart, We take our seat
upon the stool of repentance and
grieve over departed time and as
old year dies away upon our ears,
end the clear and distinct tones of
the Ginning bells of 1883 greet as,
we are aroused 10 he realities Of
life, and resolve to turn over the
new leaf-to inscribe our names
upon its spotless pages and begin
new record. Perhaps one in
one thousand commences his re-
cord with the purpose OF adhering
closely to the resolutions ne has
formed, whilst the rest are mere
imitators Of his good example,
prompted by no higher motive
than to enter into this contract,
because the resolve man did. In
a few short weeks or months, cir
cumstances throw them intodiffer-
ent spheres and surround them
with new s,amid which
the fascinating monster of tempta-
ton lures them from their good
resolves and they are again drift
ing with the tide, never again TO
look upon that NEW leaf.' until
the requium of departed time is
again chanted. Such are the
frailties of our nature, but "God
knows our faiIties and pities our
weakness" And thus we are per-
mitted by His mercy to exc out
an idle existence, which must be
accounted for at the great reckon
ing.
My purpose, however, was not
to write an obituary as the time
/, with others, have idled away.
The decaying monuments it has
left standing of its profligacy, tells
the tale in palmer language than l
can, All / will say as closing
word of this subject,is let us all live
to serve grand purpose, and ex-
haust every means to attain that
end in life, which will embellish
our escutcheon with crowns of
honor. / almost regret to inter-
rupt the beautiful train Of thought
which fits across my mind,and to
which the solitude of the hour
lends such fitting aid, but | am
impelled by the duty ! owe to my
neighbOrs and the press, to give
them something of a more spicy
nature. / can give but mere
synopsis of the numerous enter
tainments on Bunker Hill during
the holiday week. On Saturday
23d, the Presbyterians held a
Christmas tree, which was gotten
up with the same degree of taste
and skill for which our ladies are
so notable. Previous engagements
and other duties prevented me
from being present, but on all such
occasions, when / cannot 60 my
self, always send a hand. The
report, however, was favorable,
aud from the smile that rested on