The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-13
The New Year Chimes

EAF~-NAA AAAW AANNAAN A+A~AN - - F."
moods. sad or joyful, perhapg none
speak as forcibly IS the midnight
chimes which usher in the glad New
Year. The reason Of this may be ac-
counted for in a measure By the fact
that at such an hour people stop to
mediate. and they allow the sentiment
Of the season 10 take possession of their
thoughts, says the Christian Standard.
While there are those In every COM
munity whose natures are SO repose-
ful and medltatiTe as to listen to the
ringing OF the bells, the majority, we
fear. at least in this land OF ours, are
In large part devoid Of much sentiment.
so crowded are their lives with mater
ial interests. But when abroad one Is
touched over and over again BY the
sound Of bells The oft-heard exclam-
alton, ''Hark, hear the bells, suggests
at once that a subtle human feeling Is
accorded even to metal when IN the
form Of a bell. One does not forget
amid his many memories Of foreign
lands the delightful sound Of the
church bells in England, Scotland and
Wales, not only in the cities, but in the
quiet villages and retired country
places; nor how worshipful and rever-
entail the people seem as they respond
to the call and Wend their way to the
churches.
Familiar to us all is that exquisite
picture OF Millet, In which he has por-
trayed With marvellous beauty the wor-
shipful attitude Of the peasants In the
fields Of sunny France. as. at the sound
Of the distant vesper bell, when "als
the air a solemn stiffness holds" they
bow their heads reverently and lift
their hearts at once 10 God and to
heaven.
Many a traveller journeylng through
Alpine passes, and slowly climbing the
wonderful mountains, has listened with
Joy to the vesper bell Of some little
chapel perched far aloft on Alpine
height. or IN the shelter OF some rocky
point shielded from the wild and win
try winds, as It called in kindly tones
to the peasants In the green valleys
far below. and to the mountaineers
above, to come at the twilight hour
and listen to the chanting OF sweet
hymns and to words Of comfort and
cheer from the pastor.
The deep and solemn tones OF cathe-
dral bells seem to call the worshipers
to a more formal stately service. AS
they enter the sacred edifice and stand
with uncovered heads IN attitudes Of
awe and reverence. listen to the notes
Of the organ as they rise and fill the
vaulted arches, their hearts are often
lifted above and far away from earth,
and for a brief time they seem to
breathe heavenly atmosphere and live
in heavenly cline.
Who that has fingered even for few
months In Italy. that land OF sunshine
and Of song, can ever forget its bells
and its chimes as they rung out In the
clear air from hoary monasteries, rs
churchly cathedrals and its matchless
campaniles? Not alone at mathis and
at vespers. and many times a day. but
often, too. in the still nights, the priests
in the churches and the monks in the
monasteries ring the Dells, say over
their prayers and call many worn but
credulous believer from his pallet 70
worship in those midnight hours.
But Of all bells in all climes. from
those with silvery notes, which. In the
far Orient, float out from airy nina
rets on the soft and languid air. to those
which are harsh and unmusical, none
have so forcible a language. or per-
haps. speak so directly to the heart as
the New Year chimes.
As midnight draws near, and we
watch with bated breath the last mo-
ments OF the dying year which pass 50
slowly and so solemnly, how full Is the
heart Of the listener, and how with
each stroke OF the bell the experiences
Of the departing year come thronging
to the mind
The joys which the year has brought
to some, the sorrows which It has
brought to others; the weary burdens
which have been carried by some. or
the help in the carrying Of them which
has come to others; the gladness over
the birth OF a dear child. or the bitter
sorrow experienced in laying one away
in the grave; the prosperity which has
come to one, the adversity which has
overtaken another; the opportunities
for good which A We been improved and
have brought Kissing to many during
the year Just closing. and the oppor-
tunities unimproved. and now gone for
ever-all these and more come throng-
Ing to the minds Of thousands claiming
their thought in the last hour OF tbs
departing year. It is not strange.
therefore. that as the stroke Of twelve
rings out on the midnight air unusual
feelings Of solemnity should possess us
and dispel every trivial thought
Charles Lamb, In one Of his charm
ing essays has expressed. in those
words, his sentiments on the New Year
bells:
"Of all sounds Of all bells-bells-
the music highest bordering upon
heaven-most solemn and touching is
the peal which rings out the Old Year.