The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-12-27

AS the time approaches when the average
man, realizing the error of his ways and being
sorely troubled thereby, resolves to be other
than the average man, which, it is perhaps
needless to state, the poor fellow rarely sue
ceeds in becoming, 1t is interesting to know
what is thought of the attempt THE herald,
conscious that there are many who ridicule
this custom of swearing off, declaring that it
is foolish and without good results, deter
mined that opinions from some of the city's
noted clergymen should be given its readers
concerning the question. To that end, the
Rev. Dr. w. A. Bartlett, of the New York
avenue Presbyterian Church, was consulted.
"Doctor," said the reporter, "THE HER
AID would like to hear what you have to
say concerning the habit Of swearing off, II
you will permit the expression. That is, the
custom of turning over new leaf on New
Years Day."
"Well, young man." replied DR.. Bartlett,
smiling, ''I must confess that l have never
given the subject much thought, and therefore
hardly know just what to say in reply to your
inquiry. 1t is undoubtedly very appropriate
at the close Of the year for us to look over not
only our material accounts, but also look over
our spiritual accounts, that they may be
corrected and properly balanced and new,
clean set Of books be opened on New Years
Day. No better place is there in which to
bury our faults and errors than in the grave
of the old year. Although l have never had
occasion to very closely observe the results of
this practice, sti i can but think we'll OF it.
Yet, virtue has no relation to time or space,
and therefore one should do and be good all
the year round. The season should not play
an important part in controlling our efforts Of
goodness. In other words, we should choose
no one day, no one season for the making Of
good resolutions, but should be always ready
to not only make them but also keep them.
AS the lasting qualities of New Years Day
resolutions should say everything depends
upon those who make them. OF course we
are not all constituted alike, and SO in keep
ing our good resolutions some of us find it
much more difficult than do the rest of us.
But, even we fail, it is better so than never to
have made the effort. So say that the Gus
tom of making good resolutions on New YEARS.
Day can do no harm and possibly much good.
Then, too, it is undoubtedly true that many
make good resolutions on that day that they
would probably never think of doing but for
this custom"
"What do 1 think of New Years resolu-
tions," repeated Father Walter, of ST. Pat
rick's, 81 think, my dear young man," he re-
piled in his well-known hearty manner, 81
think that they are most excellent, and they
should be encouraged in every way. But
don't believe that one should form too many,
for even one is very difficult to keep. If but
one good resolution is formed each New
Years Day and religiously kept ever after
ward, much good will then have been accom-
plshed. Therefore, | would say do not en-
deavor to do too much, for then none are
likely to be kept. My observation has been
that one good resolution formed each New
Years Day will be more likely kept than
when more are determined upon. But let
that one be far reaching one. For instance,
let the man who would make a good resolu-
tion on New Years Day resolve to abstain
from and discourage the use of liquor. Then,
If that one resolution is observed, that is done
from which will spring more real good, not
only to himself but as we'll to others, than Is
dreamed Of. And let the ladies who will re-
ceive on that day resolve to serve their callers
with nothing more Intoxicating than cup of
good coffee and that one resolution will like
wise do more good than they dream of. Yes,
my son, New YEARS. Day resolutions are ex-
cellent things; excellent"
The Rev. DIR. George H. Corey, of the Metro
poltan Methodist Episcopal Church, was
found in his study, and in answer to the
HERALD mans inquiry said: "The forming of
good resolutions is very good plan at any
time of the year, and the practice should not
be limited one in any respect But for the
reason that the plan is good one and always
seasonable, New Years Day resolutions
should commend themselves. My experience
is that great many men begin the new year
with many good resolutions and with great
hope of success in keeping them, and l be-
leye that not a few succeed. Before making
good resolution we should think. Not that
we should think only at such times, for moth
ing should be done without thought, but we
should first think out the good resolution.
Next we should well consider the motive
creating the good resolution, for next in i'm
portance to the act of thinking out the resolu-
tion is the consideration of its motive. II
upon consideration the motive is found to
lack goodness then does the resolution lack
that which is good and should not be made.