Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-31
THE OLD AND NEW YEAR. Y

As the midnight hour drew nigh, the Old
Year stood before me. Weary and wayworn
he seemed, and in his hands was an hour
glass, whence the last sands were falling. As
l looked upon his wrinkled forehead mem
cries both pleasant and mournful came
over me. spoke earnestly to him:
MANY blessings hast thou brought me,
for which I give thee thanks. New have
they been every morning, and fresh every
morning. Thou hast indeed from my
hearts garden uprooted some hopes plant
ed there. With their clustering buds they
fell. and were never ~quickened again.
Praise God for what / gave n what l
took away," he said, land lay up treas
ures in Heaven, that thy heart may be
there also. What thou callest blighted
hopes are Outlines changed into fruits OF
Righteousness"
But I answered: ''Thou hast also hid
den from my sight the loved n loving.
Clods are strewn upon their faces; they re-
ply 10 nv call no more. To the homes
they made far they return not, INT the
places that once knew them know them
no more forever.
Still he said: Give praise to God.
Your lost are with him. They have pre-
coded YOU. None can drift beyond his
love and care" Then his voice grew
faint, and he murmered, MY mission
unto man is done. For me the stone Is
/ rolled AWAY from the door of h sepulcher.
| will enter IN and slumber with all the
years of the past forever"
And he Strengthened himself out to die.
! As | knelt by his side | said, 20, dying
year, dear, dying year, l see 4 scroll be-
| meath thy mantle. What witness shall 1t
bear of me when Time for me is dOne?"
Low and solemn was his voice: Thou
shalt know when the book OF the universe
is opened
The midnight clock tolled, and l covered
nv face and mOurned for his death, for he
had once been my friend. l remembered
with pain how often i had sighted his
warnings, neglected the golden Opportunl-
| ties of growth he had given me-, and cast
away the precious hours he had been so
| generous with, and / buried my face and
wept. When l again lifted my head, 10!
the New Year stood in the place OF the Old.
Smiling, he greeted ME with good wishes
and words OF cheer. But was afraid; for
to me he was q stranger; and when would
have returned his welcome my lips trem-
bled and were silent.
Then he said: Fear not. Leone from
the great source of all good, whence come
all good gifts.
Trembling, l asked: New Year, With
or wilt thou lead me? Art thou appointed
to bring me joy or sorrow, life or death!"
Looking with glowing eyes into the IN
trodden future he replied: Il know not.
| Neither doth the angel nearest the throne
know; only He who Sitteth thereon. Glye
me your hand and question not. Enough
for thee, that / accomplish His will. l
promise thee nothing. Follow me
and he content. Take, with 4
PRAYER for wisdom, this winged mo-
ment. The next may not be mine to give,
vet if we walk onward together, forget not
that thou art q pilgrim for eternity, II L
bring thee n cup OF joy be thankful, and be
pitiful to those who mourn; and let all
men be unto thee rs brethren. II the
dredge of bitterness cleve unto thy lips be
not too eager to receive relief, lest thou
betray the weakness of thy faith. Gods
perfect decipline glyeth wisdom. There
fore count those happy who endure. When
morning breaketh in the east, grid thyselt
| for thy duties with a song of thanksgiving,
and when night putteth on her coronet OF
stars look over the day just gone and let
its failures and plumbers guide thee to bet
ter things on the morrow, so that when l
have no longer any days or nights to give
thee, and must myself die, thou wilt bless
me as a friend and a helper or the road to
heaven"