Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-12-29
THE OLD AND NEW YEAR.

AS the midnight hour drew nigh, the Old
Year stood before me. Weary and way
worn he seemed, and in his hands was an
hour glass, whence the last sands were fall
ing. As | locked upen his wrinkled fore
head memories both pleasant and mournful
came over me. spoke earnestly te him:
"Many blessings hast thou brought me,
for whicA gave thee thanks. New have
| they been every morning, and fresh every
m0rning. Thou hast indeed from my hearts
garden upreoted some hopes planted there
| With their clustering buds they fell, and
were never quickaned again"
'Praise God for what 1 gave and what I
took away" he said, s'and lay up treasures
in heaven, that thy heart may be there also.
! What thou callest blighted hopes are oft
| times changed into the fruits of righteous
ness
| But / answered: "Thou hast also hidden
I from my sight the loved and the leving.-
! Clods are sGrewn upon their faces they re-
, ply to alY sail nc more. To the homes
they m4&e iAir 5hey return not, and the
| phases IoaC once knew them know them no
rnqs8s;ssssEssssE. nqsss
/ gS,I l5. ~S92, '&iys praise to God.
! cur lost airs with .iaslra. They have pre-
csded you. None can drift 5o7Gs,1d his love
aud care Then his voice grew faint, and
he nurmuleS, "3iy mission unto man is
done. For ne the stone is rolled away
from The door of tho sepulchre. I will
enter Ill and slumber with all the years OF
the pSst ferever.''
And hs straightoned himself out to die.
As knslt by his side I said, "Oh, dying
year, dear, dying year, | see q scroll be-
meath thy mantle. What witness shall it
bear of nae when time for me is done P''
Low and solemn was his voice s'Thou
shalt know when the book of the universe
is opened"
The midnight clock tolled, and l COW
cred my face and moursed for his death,
for he had once been my friend. l rsmem-
bered with pain how often I had sighted
his warning, neglected the golden oppor-
tunities 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 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 l was afraid for
to me he was a stranger and when I would
have returned his welcome my lips trem-
bled and were silent.
Then he said j: "Fear not. come frorn
the great source of all good, whence come
ill gcuu SIto
| Trembling, I asked: "New Year, whittier
wilt thou lead me? Art thou appointed to
bring me joy OF sorrow, life or death ?''
Looking with glowing eyes into the un-
trodden future, he replied 81 know not.
Neither doth the angel nearest the throne
know only He who sitteth thereon. Give
me your hand and question not. Enough
for thee tnat l accomplish His will.
promise thee nothing, Follow me and be
content. Take, with a prayer for wisdom,
this winged moment. The next may not
be mine to give yet If we walk Onward to-
gather, forget not that thou art pilgrim
for eternity. If bring thee cup Of joy be
thankful, and be pitifnl 10 those who
mourn and let all men be unto thee as
brethren. If the dregs Of bitterness cleave
unto thy lips be not too eager to receive
relief, lest thou betray the weakness Of thy
faith. Gods perfect discipline giveth wis
dom. Therefore count those happy who
endure. When morning breaketh in the
east, grid thyself for thy duties with a song
of thanksgiving, and when night puttett
On her coronet of stars look over the day
just gone and let its failures and blunders
guide thee to better things on the morrow
so that when / have no longer any days O.
nights to give thee, and must myself die
thou wilt bless me as friend and q helpe
on the road to heaven.