The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1898-01-07

THE old year, with It's hopes anu i''
fears. its bright realizations and It's
bitter disappointments, its signs ana
its tie: rs, has passed away. 1t constr
tuted one page in the great book OF
life, upon which every deed, for veal
Or for woe, was recorded, and upon
which the bright and the dark spots
are mysteriously placed, telling the
true story of real life.
Now that we have begun to fill an
other page, let us pause and CONSIDER
the deep responsibility which rests
upon us. Let US contemplate, calmly
and dispassionately, the effect OF our
words and deeds, not only upon our
own characters, but upon those with
whom we mingle in the dreary battle
of life. Let us brighten the page with
deeds of charity and words of cheer.
None have fallen so low as to be de-
void of influence, and, before the court
of Heaven, we will be held RESPONSE
BILE, for our many misdeeds, just in
proportion to our opportunities to
know better and to realize the error
of our way.
Life is only book, large or small,
consisting of as many pages as years
we have livei; the good deeds shining
in pure, golden light and the evil
deeds represented by dark blurs and
blots. The book is always open to
the inspection of mankind, and from
its pages our characters are formed
and our regulations are determined.
So every one is the author of book,
which is constantly read by his neigh
bors and which shonld, therefore, be
published with the greatest care.
The gross crimes fill the pages of
some, while good and evil deeds are
seen in others. The prevailing sin,
which is recorded. more or less in
every book, is that of backbiting or
tattling. We insist that on the new
page, which we have just opened, this
low, degrading sin will not be record
ed Place the finger of charity over
the evil deed of your fellow-beings,
and remember that you are mortal,
also, and that,
IF the heart were unveiled and the con-
science read on the brow,
There are many We would pass in scorn,
who wear the highest honors now"
All nations, both ancient and mod
ern, by common consent, celebrate the
be ginning of a new year with festive
rejoicing. The time of reckoning has
varied with different nations. The
Athenians began the year in June,
the Romans, for time, in March, the
Persians on August 18th, and the Chi
nese in February.
Many years ago the mobiles gave
presents to the sovereign, expecting
favors in return, and it was custo-
mary to present gifts to the chancel-
lor to bias his judgment Among the
Chinese the festivities are kept up for
three days, the first thing being the
payment of debts, and if a tradesman
cannot pay his debts he gives his goods
to his creditors-a custom that we
should estab lish here. In Paris there
are brilliant displays and tokens of
good will are freely given, while all
the bells of the city are rung.
The RECORD extends hearty con-
gratulations to its patrons for the
rich blessings they are enjoying, and
earnest wishes for a continuation of
the same. Living in the bright light
of gospel truth and scientific investi-
cation, surrounded by and permitted
to enjoy every blessing that can ema-
hate from nature and her God, we
should resolve to live purer and better
lives, thereby manifesting due ap.
nrecisti6a of these unmerritted bless.
ings Begin Ife>anew, abandon sin,
pass sweet words of cheer to the suf-
fering and oppressed. in>every condi-
ton of life, and when the year has
rolled away and the page has>been
written, you can look over the work
with the proud satisfaction of know
ing that you have done some good in
the world which should be the chief
aim in lie and which, alone, can give
comfort to the weary soul when the
hour of dissolution arrives.