The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-29
OUR RELIGIOUS CONTEMPORARIES.

One reason why we prefer the new year
to the old is that perhaps we may 30
better AS the years are surely num-
bered out to us, and
THE OLD YEAR are fast slipping by,
AND THE NEW. we would like to
make S 0 m i'm
pro-ement on the past. We would wish
to take time more seriously, ard not let
it get away without some good use. we
would like to seize the opportunities WIN
more promptness and energy. We would
hope TO enjoy its blessings moro CRATE
fully and to take up its duties with more
courage The old years page is much
blurred and stained. So the unblotted,
unwritten new leaf now before us gives
US profound qualification The Lore heip
us all to make a better record
What a happy thing it is that We can
begin again! Whatever the year past
has been we would like to do better IN
tho new wear. AS we are obliged to go
forward, we would like to go upward
also. Some things we would leave pc
hind forever, and some new things we
would hone to attain. We should remem-
Der that the great realities that are most
valuable and most enduring are not the
things around us and without, but the
things within us-the things of character
and personal life. These best things are
the gifts of Gods grace. They come by
asking, and by obedience. and ny the
growth that belongs to effort IL Is the
solemn and gracious bidding OF the ne"
wear that we begin again.-Central Pres
byterian.
AS an ideal church music ought to be
one of the strong factors in the work
| 4 81
and worship of the cnurcn, ard one OF
the greatest sources OF
IDEAL CHURCH comfort and joy ana
MTTSIC help and satisfaction
to all who are inter
Eested in the work and welfare of the
church What can be more inspiring and
ennobing and uplifting and helpful than
the rendering of the praises and Leading
the worship of q congregation of faith
full people? And what more Splendid
work can be conceived of than this! AS
an ideal, those who engage in such work
should be- of all men and women, the
most beautiful in character and the most
devout in conduct. They stand III the
presence of God continually. His name
and praises are ever on their lips, ana
His thought should ever be in their
hearts. Their very work is higher than
the utmost privilege of nest men and
is elevating, refining, tranquilizing.
purifying; but theirs is more than music
it is sacred music-and hence should be
all the more forceful and powerful in its
influence. Southern Churchman.
he disappointment of defeat is COM
mon; but the disappointment of success,
though more rare. is yet more litter.
In defeat there is one
ABOUT DIS saving ingredient that
APPOINTMENT is almost never drained
off-hope. From Pan
dora's casket there issued forth Il multi
tude Of plaques for hapless man-Sout,
rheumatism, and collie for his body; envy,
spite ard revenge for mis- nina; one
thing only remained in the casket. and
that was hope This, like the sun setting
clear at the close of a long, tempestuous
day, gives promise OF fair weather on
the morrow. AS Napoleon fled pell-mell
from Waterloo, he halted long enough at
Philppeville to write to his brother, JOS
eph at Paris: "AlL is not lost; every
thing may yet be retrieved''-a tenacity
| of purpose no less pathetic than sublime.
| It is the lack of just this redeenins ele-
| ment of hope that gives poignancy to the
disappointment of success. No matter
| what hardships the game of life may en-.
tail, there abides delight so long as the
prize still glitters before the eye; but
when in actually grasping the prize it
| turns to ashes in your hand. despair has
done its worst Then. indeed. Ito change
| the fgure) the rising waters have ex-
| tinguished the fires: it is. needless for the
| brave ship to attempt longer to ouifet the
storm. So long as faIth III iie ana III
human endeayor-lasts; man rises from
every blow and stands again erect upon
his feet; but when this faith is shaken.
| the foundations of our being culver as IN
an earthquakes. c. NJ. in Religious
Herald.
The Bible Not Avainst the Black Man.
To the Editor Of The Times:
Sir.-In The Times of December list ap-