Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03

cells was connected by a whispering
gallery with the kings own bedcham-
Der. Thus the slightest word these state
prisoners might utter during their con-
finement was Immediately echoed to
the kings ear, and if the prisoners said
ANYTHING against their king he heard
1t and these prisoners were immediate
ly taken out and executed. Shall not
you and | be more careful to live the
right kind Of lives when we fully re-
alize that each word we utter Is heard
by our Divine Father? Shall we not
be more careful-not because we fear
the anger Of tyrant, but because we
do not want to wound Gods loving
heart any more than we would say
harsh or sinful word before a loving
earthly parent?
The Passing Year.
I'VE spend our years as a tale that
is told" That means, In the story OF
life. that we are about to pass from
one book to another. The year Of 1902
is nearly finished. The year Of 1903
is just about to begin.
The passing year has been a sad one
for many of US. During the past
twelve months two Of my family have
finished their earthly lives, as a tale
that Is told. AS sit writing this dis
course, hold In my hand one Of the
last letters my father ever wrote to me.
1t goes something like this: Dear
Frank-My last birthday tells me that
l have reached the psalmist's limit
threescore years and ten. My earthly
pilgrimage of life will not continue
very much longer" Within a few
months that journey ended. How soon
it was to end he little thought. Withir
the past year my brother-in-law left
us, leaving behind widow and her
little children, who are now nearer
and dearer to us on account Of their
loss In your life the year 1902 has
been a sad year. You have had your
troubles just the same as |. But the
year 1902 has also been a joyful year.
1t has been a year Of many blessings.
1t has also been a vear when those who
have left US have gone to be with him
who Is their Saviour and their King.
But the year 1902 has also been for
all of us year OF sin. If this chapter
Of the tale Of life is written, how many
soiled pages there are! Not one Of US
has lived up to our many good oppor-
tunities. We have been guilty both Of
sins Of omission and sins Of commits
sion. Like the psalmist, we have rea-
son to cry out in agony, 20 God, thou
knowest my foolishness. and my sins
are not hid from thee" But, though
the year 1902 has been year Of many
shortcomings, it may yet be made a
year Of divine pardon. There are a
few hours OF the old year left Can
we, shall we not crowd these last few
lines Of the book Of 1902 full of Deni-
tent prayers, of earnest and tender
pleadings; full Of resolves to undo as
far as we can the wrongs we may have
done to others?
But the time Is speeding away, and |
must close. Like dying invalid, the
breath OF the old year is growing short
er and shorter I me pulse is getting
weaker aud weaker What We are TO
do we must do very quickly. Even
now the cold. clanmy sweat is bedew-
ing its brow: even now the eyes are
becoming CLASSY. Soon there will be a
long gasp. tLen another. then 1902 will
be dead
o my loved ones. will you not get
down upon your knees and ask God to
make this year, even in lis closing
hours, a year Of divine pardon and tri-
umphant hope?
One year. one year. one little year,
And so much gene.
And yet the even low Of life
Moves calmly on.
Lord OF the living and the dead,
Our Saviour dear
We lay in silence at thy feet
This sad. sad year!
Copyright 1902. by Louis Klopsch.1