Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-01-08
The New Year.


We spend our years as tale that is told
Psalms, Sc., g.
Custom has made certain season sig
nificant and impressive. In themselve
all days are alike. and differ no more
than 30 many blades of grass. The,
are checkered by sunshine sor rain, by
heat or cold; but the recurring season,
bear q close remembrance to each othel
from century to century. The sum-
chariot is driven along the higher wa,
in summer, while in winter it sweeps
nearer the horizon. A kind OF solemn
and but for the associations connected
with it each day would he like every
other of its kind.
1t has, however, been the habit Of
men from time characterization al
far back as history can send its glance
Ito set apart few days in the years
aggregate for special ceremonials, and
on these days each celebrates the oc
casion in his own way, some with zuu:
usuBl hilarity and others with serious
reflection
The day on which the year begins is
of course wholly arbitrary. It is pure
ly imaginary line drawn between the
past and the future-a mile post set up
by science for it's own convenience 1t is
also herald on the hilltop announcing
that twelve more months have been
drawn from the treasury of eternity
for our profit. may continue and say
that it is a stately and dignified mes
senger from the heavens, reminding us
of whitening hair and general en-
feeblement of the faculties-solemn
precursors of the approaching hour
when the ledger of our careers below
will be sealed with a seal and we must
draw the curtain aside with last fare
well to earthly life.
On New Years Day we take our posi-
tion on high coign of vantage, look
ing first backward and then give free
rein to those two most marvellous fac
ulties which God has endowed US
Memory and Anticipation.
Memory! That mysterious quality
OF the soul by which the past becomes
once more the present. Blot it out and
we should be mere machines: the moral
purposes of life would be destroyed.
Memory is the keystone of the arch,
without which the whole structure
would crumble into rain. By it's means
the experiences of bygone years are
kept SO fresh that the mind can deter
mine what is best to do and what is
best not to do. Memory is the founda
ton of love also-love for our children
and love of God. By it's magic a man
recalls the benefits he has received. and
forthwith the grace of gratitude springs
up in his heart; he summons the deeds
which have brought him misery, and
forthwith regret and repentance and
resolution come into being. In the
stiffness of the night the mother lives
over again her life with the dear ones
who have gone, and tears spring afresh.
Then the mind solves the problem, and
before morning she cries, mot nv will,
but Thine, be DONE"
Anticipation What would we be
without it2 1t is like the electric cur
rent that thrills along our nerves and
gives us health in place of the pain
from which we have been suffering. If
we live in our yesterdays we may also
H( incur to-morrows. The sturdy
somsees success long before it arrives.
and is inspired thereby. We may en-
joy che frnition of our efforts by antici
pating them, as in winter we are en-
couraged to bear the cold by thinking
of the spring and summer which are
sure to come. Not what we are now.
not what we are doing now, but what
we shall be and what we hope to do
these constitute our chief happiness.
The human heart that bears the crush
ing weight of affection may by this
power of anticipation find its sweetest
peace and comfort in thinking of that
far away future when separation shall
be changed to reunion, and when the
empty mother arms shall hold the loved
ones in their embrace once more.
Memory and Hope! Gods divinest
gifts The one enables us to see where
in we have failed and why; the other.
with resolution at it's heels, permits us
to enjoy success which will be achiev-
ed by and by. The one fixes your tear
full eyes on the happy days that are
gone, while the present partly obliter
ates itself; the other points to the DAYS
that are to be. from which you can Dor
row needed strength for the SORROWS
you are now bearing.
New Years Day reminds us of a thou
sand facts, and all worth considering,
That the evil we have done in the |
name of pleasure or of profit has never |
paid as you expected it to do, and new
er will.
That bad habit is simply sled on
which you are coasting down hill, and
The uphill road must be travelled soon
Or or later
That you know your duty without
3eing told, and you must either do it
" take the consequences.
That the sorrows you have borne or
Ire bearing are intended to discipline
md refine your nature, and If they fall
n doing this the purpose of Colds be-
ng thwarted.
That time is rolling rapidly away,
Ind you must make ready for the
hange or it will take you by surprise.
That heaven is a great deal closer
han We have been taught to believe.
nd we may reasonably look forward
o the hour when we shall be clothed
lpon with spiritual body and meet
ur dear ones in that House not made !
nth hands, never again to know Sc
aration.
GEORGE H. HEPwORTH.
JOE JEFFERsoN's, REPLY TO AN
ARL'S DAUGHTER. - The Pittshurg :
'ispatch tells this anecdote of Joseph b
efferson. the actor. He was once
o1 10 a 1