The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-01

Cleanse the thoughts OF our hearts by the
Inspiration OF thy Holy spirit, that we
may perfectly love thee and worthiiy
magnify thy Holy Name" Happy is he,
who with grateful heart and high resolve
10 live a better life. enters upon the New
Year. that with silent footsteps and noise
less tread Is entering into our doors!
THE TIDE OF TIME
But sad indeed is ne, who from the con-
seriousness Of Oft broken vows. Of upper
formed resolves. has no hope OF reforma-
ton and who sinks into the agony Of hope
less despair To such an one the New
Year has no glory, no hope. The sun
that glints the hills with its rosy tints
and decks the landscape with its golden
rays, has no Joy for him: the dew-drops
that glisten IN the morning breeze are
but sorrows tears: the wind that signs
through the leafless trees are sad re-
QUEEN to his unhappy thoughts! .
The tide OF time. like the waves OF the
mighty ocean moves steadily onward; il
waits for no man and brooks no resist
anse.
In the providence Of God. 10 all are al
lotted a common heritage OF sorrow. some
drain the cup earlier than others, more
deeply than others. but sooner or later
K comes TO all-the cup may not pass
from us. To those who in the past year
have escaped sorrow and have enjoyed
health and happiness, their hearts should
well up with grateful thanksgiving. And
10 the stricken ones that tender sympathy
and kindly courtesy 9hould be extended
that IL born of brotherly love and tender
hearts. Those whom in His wisdom He
hath seen M 20 visit with trouble happy
are they, If they can bear their afillction
with that subllmity Of faith and calm res
fgngtiOn horn az Cnrictianitvi
A FAVORED CITY.
Richmond, like ancient Rome still
crowns her seven hills and looks down in
placid beauty. her happy homes reflected
from her noble river as il flows on 10 tho
mighty ocean.
We are thankful that during the past
year we have not been visited by 1.-THE
pestllence that walketh in darkness, nor
the destruction that wasteth az noon
day" And vet the angels Of death has en-
tered the portals Of many a household
and around our fire sides are vacant
chairs and sad hearts.
The most serious loss our city has sus-
tanned by death during the past year, one
that is Justly regarded as a public calam-
ity, was that of Major Lewis Ginter, and
our sorrow is the greater because the loss
IS irreparable-there is none 20 take his
place! As a public spirited aid generous
hearted man his benefcence has never
be0n equaled in the history CO our cityi
The most lasting monument to his name
and fame Is enshrined In the grateful
hearts OF his fellow-citizens
yet why muse
Upon the past with sorrow? Though the
Has gone to blend with the mysterious
tide
or old Eternity. and borne along
Upon its heaving breast a thousand
wrecks
or glory and beauty. yet, why mourn
That such Is destiny Another year
Succeedeth TO the past! In their bright
round
The seasons come and gos the same blue
arch
That hath hung DER us will hang DER US
vet:
The same pure stars tina. we have loved
10 watch
VIII blossom stu al twilight's gentle hour
Like lilies on the tomb OF day"
The New Years sun will shine upon
our people. SAL animated with hopes OF
returning prosperity, encouraged by the
fact that our future has many promising
features
A BIG RETAIL MARKET.
In an article in the last years lst OF
January edition OF The Times, we at
tempted 70 call attention TO the many adj
vantages Of our city as n proper dls,ri-
buting point for the iobb.ng trade OF the
South our effort on this occasion will be
20 point out the partiouer advantages
Richmond has as big retail market. In
this respect she is unsurpassed by any
city In this country With the large num-
her OF wholesale houses in her midst COM
poting with jealous care for the retail
trade, her merchants are enabled 10 buy
their goods upon the closest margins,
thus enabling them 70 offer their mer-
chandise 10 the consumer al the lowest
prices The active competition amongst
the retail trade also tends 10 give every
benefit 10 the customer. With quick tran
sit from East and West Richmond's re-
tail merchants are also in touch with all
trade centres. Her retail merchants are
abreast OF the times and they offer to the
counties and towns contiguous 10 her bor-
ders the best market this side Of New
York. This was demonstrated last sum-
mer. when the enterprise OF her merchants
brought excursion after excursion from
ant points into her gates. An inspec-
uon OF the counters and shelves OF our
retail grocers. dry goods and shoe stores.
and IN fact. Of every line OF trade. will
crafty the most fastldious taste.
Our markets in season. TEEN with every
variety Of fruits and vegeta bies: we have
fowl and fish in abundance from the sea:
oysters from our rivers: game from our
forests.
Our country friends from all sections Of
our State win md In svsgy department a