Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-01-04
NEW YEARS DSE.
Something about the Festival -H2ages
md GbServancct.


Christmas and Now Years should come
on the same day, because the ammo domi-
nj, "year of grace, "year OF our Lord, "
should commence on tho day of his birth,
and because, secondly the winter solstice
furnishes convenient astronomical start
ing point. The summer solstice, or the
tropical, equinoctial period, would be
equally convenient if civilized nations
we're 80 agreed The Mohammelans still
use the lunar year; other nations begin
their calendars at various periods arbi-
trarily assumed. The Chinese year com
mences in our spring, and so does the
Hebrew. Chinese state documents, like
those of Britain, date from the accession
Of the reigning monarch, those of the
United States from the day of our nation
al independence Christmas is a purely
Christian observance, not yet quite co-ex-
tensiye with ChristendDm. New Years.
on the contrary, is a well-nigh universal
holiday. The first day Of the Now Year
was and is noted day among the He
brews, signalizcd by the blowing Of
trumpets and comets and splendid social
entertainments 1t was high day with
the ancient Romans, when "clients sent
presents to their patrons, citizens to mag
istrates and friends to one another From
time immemorial it has been day of ex-
traordinary regard with the Chinese, the
sole Sabbath of the year, in fact, when
business of all kinds is wholly suspended,
and when all classes in holiday dress,
(hired for the occasion from pawn OF
''property' shop if one is too poor to
have a suit of his OWN, get into sedan
chairs and make calls of friendship or
ceremony. In England, historical glim-
merings show how it was observed centu-
ries ago, "children in best bibs ant
aprons rejoicing in Kentish pippins ant
oranges" adults "sending New Year,
gifts, wishing each other happy New
Year and asking for gifts in return" 1t
France, also, it was day of rejoicing ant
"gifts."
New Years eve has long been celebra
ted by feastin9, drinking, watching tbs
old year out aud the new year in. Mid
night masses and other religious services
have been current in England, and bell
ringing at midnight is by no means un
common. A religious "vigil" calle(
"watch-night" has been usual for neerl.
100 years, particularly among the follow
ers of John Wesley. This noted evan
gelist wrote in his famous diary in 1862
Just 40 years ago. "We concluded th
year, as usual, with solemn watch
night" Some of his brother Charles
t most stirring hymns had their origin il
this anniversary. These watch-night oc
D casions, SO far as we have observed them
seem to be IA sort of funeral service, obso
l quies of respect for the dying year rathe
+ than of welcoming for the year that
9 coming. They are made seasons of wha
G the Puritans called "great heart search
$ ings." The Jewish Talmudist rabbiu
l believed aud taught that "God judges Il
q men at New Years" Tue Chinese, o
o the eve of New Years day. square all az
?, counts, or accept inevitable bankruptc,
n SO the followers of Wesley devote Il
Q last hours of each departing year to pc
d sonal review, to severe settling up wit
p self, to efforts after a general wiping OF
ls OF old scores, and to a renewal Of pi0I
II VOWS for the future. One feature Of Il