Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-12-26

~" i'''f VIZ .'O"'iA va ~ "'.
hopes aud expectations. His vel.
coiar - scarcely less cordial than
TINT Of hi~ antique slonsor. While
Christmas atiuncs tie heart to peace
ard good wall, New No1r >u-G.sts
and hNo- good r. 'l'!om-. ma
p1yes the way 'ur better u
TIE Ia-t has gone forever. l. j. "
closed ch.ptcs III the book OF al.
We may pciuse it. pages but we
c,unp, change line. 1t must
stand forever. whether the record
hc good or bad. The present is our
own. the future before us; the one
filled with vague possibilities and
the other unknown ground. 1t Is
,hc pant f wisdom TO pause and re-
fleet To- take a strlci account OF
stock and plan for the future.
The past year la, been, all things
considered, preu! fair season
throughout the roualy. Peace and
plenty have lanc;.Hy prevailed,
whi'e the spiiit f torn has taken
such u strong Io!" # the people
that we ciu no c'r'i !ently expect
some go i t. IFS I'm the political
chance soon To I've made. The gen
crnl outlook, therefore, seems to ill.,
dictate season Of thrift and pros
uerl,v. How much each can con-
tuhu'e towards advancing this
result should he made the sub
subject Of deep thought. None are
~ humble that they cannot do their
share towards promoting the pub
he wenl, none so insignificant they
cannot do something towards ad-
vaucing the sum Of human happi-
ness. The world is made up of
atoms. Little acts, inconsiderable
tribes. leave sometimes deep I'M
press on human character. AS we
pass this milestone in the journey
Of life, recollections of the past
crowd upon the memory. Our prog
ress has been attended with the US
ual pleasures and disappointmeuts.
We have each gathered our share of
the flowers and thorns strewn by the
pathway. We have each had our
share of JOY and trouble. We may
be better than we were at the begin.
ming Of the year, or we may he worse.
We may have progressed upwards or
downward. In either event, the
season is fraught with solemn adj.
monitions, which it is the part of
wisdom to heed and obey.
Nature is eloquent with lessons
which should inspire wisdom. We
zee the many beautiful suggestive
changes continually occurring, but
scarcely noted. The seasons pass in
rapid succession, but we seldom
pause amid busy cares. to ponder
their teachings. We liken Spring
time to childhood, and Winter to age
but find NO time to trace the simile
farther. or to draw from it the whole
sono instruction and constant adj
monition which the all wise Creator
intended it should convey. But at
the close Of the year, when we in.
intutively pause ere crossing the
bounds OF another division OF ou1
earthly pilgrimage. these thoughts
recur to the reflective mind with
startling solsn,nity. Thousands who
began the year bouyant with hope
with the flush OF health upon their
cheeks. have fallen by the way, and
their accustomed places will know
them no moro fnre,cr. Few of Us
indeed but have ben called upon
To part with some fri.rd whose prom
Use Of length Of DE- has probably
cqualled our own. ''e know no.
when any If I; s..p!. receive the
summons from tie da' l.wiuged mes.
scnger to jim Inc Longs of that
silent city beyond .ie ever-fowing,
mysterious river.
In fancy We soc the myriads OF
civilized people drawn together in
communion OF soul at this holy sea-
son. How it humbles piide and
exaults virtue to meet ut a common
shrine How empty appear earthly
honors and vain the objects of earthly
ambition, when the lesson teaches
that they must all be laid aside
whenever the summons 10 go hence
may come? We see thousand fol-
lowing delusive phantoms, strue-
Cling for the attainment of objects
which they fondly believe will bring
happiness; but alas how seldom is
the goal reached, and how often
when attained, the charm o. the
eagerly sought treasure vanishes
Thus it ever has been and ever
will be with earthly persuits. With
what relief, then can we turn to what
hope OF Immortality which time can
not dim nor the grave disarm! With
what majesty and grandeur does it
subordinate all sordid, worldly con-
siderations Planted within all
hearts, irrespective of creed, it wells