The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-12-31
TUESDAY. DECEMBER 81. 1901
Weather forecast for Fred
ericksbura and Vicinity:
ca airing 6nd colder.
The first year OF the Twentieth GEN.

The first year OF the Twentieth CEN
tury, 1901, closes its record tonight
at - O'Clock and takes its place in
the column of the past years. Its
acts and doings will go into IRE
vocable history, and nothing will
remain with us but the memory OF
them and their influence for good or
evil upon us in the future. Happy is
the man who can look back over the
departing year and view his record
with an approving conscience.
To our country at large the year
has brought great prosperity, andw
have much to be thankful for. The
assassination OF President Mckinley
by an Anarchist at Buffalo was the
only serious jar TO our peace, har-
mony andprOsperity during the wear
This dastardly and wicked act by one
OF a sect not indigenous TO our coun-
try, and not in harmony with our
institutions, east deep gloom over
the civilized world and brought sor-
row and mourning TO every true
American heart; Vet We emerged from
this worldwide calamity with I'M
broken and, We may say. almost
unchecked prosperity. The reins OF
government Were transferred 70 other
hands, and the country moves on. if
not smoothly in all respects. We believe
safely in the essential points.
All over the country, with the excep-
ton of a few isolated communities,
the farmers toll has been blessed with
an abundant harvest. No year has
been more prosperous with him prob
ably in the last score of years. Not
only are his barns we'll filed, but
plenty in all departments has been
vouchsafed him, and heca now COM
mence the new year with courage and
hope.
As the farmer has prOspered so
has the merchant, who is dependent
mostly upon the farmer. And from
all quarters in the mercantile world
come the encouraging reports that
trade was never better-in fact, it has
been far beyond the expectations OF
the most hopeful merchants. OF this
prosperous trade it is gratifying to
know that our city merchants had
their share and have been richly re-
warded for their diligence in business.
And now, as we bid farewell to the
old year with its rapidly receding
shadows, we hail with rejoicing the
coming OF the new year with all OF its
opportunities, promises and POSSIBLE
tiles. Let us enter upon it with
determination to improve upon the
past, and with united effort to bring
to the country greater prosperity
than we have heretofore enjoyed. Let
progress be the watch-word in every
department OF labor and in every
vocation and profession. But while
there is strength in unity let us not
forget that success comes from above.
Therefore, let us invoke the aid and
guidance of Him who controls the
destinies of nations, and watches
over the affairs OF men, in all of our
laudable efforts and undertakings. If
this we shall do prosperity, peace and
plenty shall be ours, and the God OF
our fathers will continue to be Onr
God.
The Psalmist says: Thou crownest
the year with thy goodness, and on
this declaration the poet gives out
this beautiful expression
Another year numbered with the Past
Ayear of peace and Joy from day to day,
With now and then a dim. soft shadow
cast
By grief or pain across the pleasant
way.
A year Of loving service faithful done,
Endeavoring still to make this life
accord
With Thy wise will until the course be
run;
So the year is crowned with Thy good
ness, Lord.
Another year untried lies just before,
Az Time leads onward to the setting
sun;
And who of us can tell how many more
Will come and 90 before LIES victory's
won?
Now in this coming year mark out the
way,
BE ever near to help, Almighty God;
And when each mile-stone's past we still
shall say:
"Thou crownest the years with Thy
goodness, Lord