Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-01-23

u,
oner the New Years greeting to friend
ano knsman. The old year was marred
oy mistakes, was brimmed with mercies,
was profaned by sins, was hallowed by
pardon. was full of struggle, was sweet
with peace, was year of work, year of
rest, a year of opportunity, a year OF
grace. 1t had the same sharp contrasts.
the same glad surprises, the same check
cred course, which every one of our years
has had. We ought to be, at least In SEN
timent, little regretful as its last sands
run out, but We are the reverse. Every
throb OF our hearts is hopeful-hopeful
that the New Year will bring us good
fortune, greater success, a wider hori-
zon, firmer standing-ground.
And If we are so fortunate as to be
able to begin the year with no hamper
Ing debts, no morbid griefs, and no bit
Ter memories, we are right in facing life
cheerily, In setting our eyes bravely to-
ward the mark, In pressing onward.
Right we are, whatever the situation.
In meeting 1t cheerily. OF all things de-
pressing and disheartening. the burden
OF disheartening and chilling memory "a
the most onerous. The discouraged per-
son has no stresgth to look forward.
melancholy not only arrests progress, II
really palstes the foot that would go for
ward Among the most unproductive
mental exercises are those which spend
energy imperatively needed for present
action in vain broodings and futile penf-
tence Tor mistakes Of the past. Even for
sin, wilful and heinous, the Lord does
not exact at our hands never-ceasing
course of sackcloth asd ashes. He bids
us repent and be done with It: repent
and begin again. While we are bemoan-
Ing the cowardice of yesterday, we might.
II we would, be up and doing; retrieve
the lost field, and drive the enemy from
his strong position. While we mourn
over what We might have done, another.
less disposed to the weakness of self-re-
proach. steps into our vacant place and
performs some deed of valor, inaugu-
rates some worthy enterprise. Use the
power to seize on whatever tool lies
next to you; avail yourself of whatever
resources are presented first, and with
out fruitless regrets go on toward con-
quest. THE busy have no time for
tears"
II the New Year hope is to blossom
into New Year results of joy and glad
ness, we must see to 1t that we keep our
resolution to ourselves as faithfully az
we are expected to keep our promises to
others. We must see to 1t that a spirit
of kindness is behind our purposes and
impulses. To lay an ungentle touch
upon an aching wound Is always most
ungracious. So deep and sincere is our
sympathy with the thousands who cam
not meet the New Year with composure
because of the longing for the vanished
hand and their yearning for the sound
OF the voice that is still, that we hesI-
tate to remind them that there is grace
In forgetting our grief; not in forget
ting our dead; In a sense profoundly
sweet and helpful, they abide with us
when they are out of sight, IL they and
we are Christ's. But to indulge in
mere luxury of woe to the manifest
detriment of interests which require our
utmost strength and attention, to so
lament the dead that we are neglecful
of the living beloved. driving them from
ds by our GOODNESS and indifference is
more than foolish: 1T is wicked and nm
grateful, and unworthy of a Christian
man or woman. While the New Year
cannot return what the old year took
away, 1t can and does accentuate the
fact that we are nearer
The bound OF life
Where we lay our burdens down"
1t reminds us that soon we shall have
passed where beyond these voices
there is peacei" Shall we not look for
ward to reunion, rather than sigh bit
terly over lost pleasures aud weep over
interrupted communion
Ring out the GA. ring in the new.
Ring, happy bells across the snow:
The year Is going, let him go;
Ring out the false. ring in the trueP'