The Newtown bee., 1897-01-08
WARREN.

THOUGHTS ON THE PASSING YEAR. The change from 1896 to 1897 was not discernable, and only to be known by consulting the almanc. It hardly seems possible that we have approached so near the end of the century as 1897. The year will be what we make it personally. We are the architects of our own for tune. We build our own characters and are the arbiters of our own destiny. It has been wisely said that ''He builds too low who builds beneath the skies.' If the reason is asked, the answer plainly is that the building we rear we shall oc cupy forever. ''If we SOW to the flesh, we shall reap corruption, but if we SOW to the spirit we shall reap life everlast- ing" The difference Is wide; the condi- tion is manifest. Ia the hard ware busi- ness there is lock called "The Janus lock-" which means "face both ways" That is, the same lock could be adjusted to doors intended to shut either to the opening month of the year is named from the god Janus, who had two faces. Now to make the most of the year to come it will be useful to look backward, to make ar take  survey of the old year, what it has done for us, what of unfinished plans and pur poses, which may have been arrested from circumstances unforeseen. This will furnish us with kind of momen- tum, start that will carry us further on our journey. Everything is in the dark. The book which lies before us is sealed with seven seals. There is no one in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth able to open the book, neither to look thereon. These closing word. seem to startle us ilike clap of thunder at monday with clear sky. What is meant? "Neither to look thereon ?" Can
 
 it be that brightness is reflected from it above the brightness of the sun, such as prosecuting Saul encountered on the way to Damascus? Perhaps so. He way using time as if all belonged tu him. l He was mad against the infant church. 1 He expected to have his own way, but a moment of time came which entirely | changed his plans. There was a light | from Heaven that suddenly shone around | him. Somebody was opening that won derful book. It was the lion of the tribe of Judah. With this dark black cloud before us and sealed, in so far as we are personally concerned, we need to focal ize all the light of the pass upon the pres ent hour, and ask ourselves how we shall use it? Our times are not in our hands, but in His, who is able to unseal and open this wonderful book of Provi. dence. While it is so, yet the year, SC
 
 we make it. We must have high ideal and only the highest is worthy of ns. To multitudes 1896 vas the last, so to multitudes 1897 will be the last. If 1t shall SD prove to be to us, what will be the end3 Look to the end, provide for it and all will be well. A nobleman once kept q fool and one d1y gave him staff to keep until he should meet greater tool than himself. Some years after the nobleman was taken sick, even unto ieath. The fool went to see his master, who sald to him, T must shortly leave. , Where arc you going ?'' said the fool. { Into another world. ssWhen Will you .eturn, within month P No. nev- T. What provisions have you made 'os entertainment there F None at all, iIl IT. T n. aers then take yoa, sta6