Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-12-30
THE OLD AND THE NEW YEAR

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 memories both pleas
ant aud mournful came over me. l
spoke earnsestiy to him:
MANY blessings hast thou brought me
for which l gave thee thanks. New
have they been every morning, and
fresh every morning. Thou hast indeed
from my hearts garden upIooted some
hopes planted there. With their clusr
tering buds they fell, and were never
quickened again"
Praise God for what l gave and
what took away" be SAID, "ann lay up
treasures in heaven. that thy heart may
br there also. What thou callest blight
d hopes are otttimes changed into
fruits of righteousness
! But answered: Thou hast also
hidden from my sight the loved and the
loving. Clod6 are strewn upon their
faces; they reply to my call no more
To tue homes they made fair they re-
turn not, and 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
preceded you. None can drift beyond
his love and care" Then his voice
grew faint, and be murmured' My mis-
sion unto man is done. For me the
stone is rolled away from the door of
the sepulcher. 1 will enter in and
slumber with all the years of the past
| forever"
And be Strengthened himself out to
die. AS 1 knelt by his side l said "Oh,
dying year, dear. dying year. see the
scroll beneath thy mantle. What wit
ness shall it bear of me when Time for
me is done?"
Low and solemn was his voice: "Thou
shalt know when the book of universe
is opened"
The midnight clock tolled. and COW
cred my face aud mOurned for his death
for he had once been my friend. l re-
membered with pain how often l had
slighted hio warnings. neglected. the
golden opportunities 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. lol 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 be was stranger; and
when l would have returned his wei
come my lips trembled and were silent.
Then he said: "Fear not. 1 come
from the great source of all good. whence
come all good gifts"
Trembling, 1 asked: New Year,
whittier wilt thou lead me? Art thou
appointed to bring me joy or sorrow, life
OT u6dIn
Looking with glowing eyes into the
untrodden future, he replied: Il know
not. Neither doth the angel nearest the
throne know; only He who sitteth there
on. Give me your hand and question
not. Enough for thee. thai 1 accomplish
His will. l promise thee nothing. Fol-
low me and be content. Take, with a
prayer for wis ON this wingei rom4rt
The next may not he mine t" x W.
If we walk onward Loge' her, icrg- not
that thou ar IA pilgrim for eternity. If
bring thee cup of JOY be thankful,
and be pitiful to those who mourn; aud
let all men be unto thee as brethren. If
The dregs of bitterness cleave unto thy
lips b- not too eager to receive relief.
lest thou betray the weakness of thy
faith. Gods perfect disipline giveth
wisdom. Therefore count those happy
who endure. When morning hresketh
in the east, grid thyself for thy duties