The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-12-29
A NEW YEAR.

cent temple itself, whose spaces are Unreasonable
even by the imagination.
In very truth we begin the eternal life with the
first breath we draw in childhood. AS matter OF
convenience, however, cut off small section OF
eternity, just long enough to encompass earthly
life, and call it time. Dividing it into years and
months and days, we able to keep our varied
experiences in mind, telling ourselves that at such
moment we suffered defeat at such another we
won the victory and at still another some dear one
came into the household to add its little voice to the
domestic chorus or perhaps some dearone suddenly
became silent and familiar football is missed.
1t is beautiful and profitable custom, this which
we celebrate on ca ch successive first of January.
There seventy hillocks in the short journey OF
human life, and as we reach each one in turn we
lay our burdens down for short respite, gather
our friends together recall the past, forecast the
future and with kindly greetings wish each other
happy arrival at the next hillock then take up our
burdens once again and enter the valley that lies
between the two elevations. 1t is day of good
cheer, of fraterna assembly. The air is full of
happy thoughts and good wishes. The whole world
is brighter for it, for heart goes out to heart and
universal sympathy lifts us for a time to higher
level Earth is little more comforting and heaven
q little dearer.
Some new faces have come and some of the old
faces have disappeared, but love welcomes the one
and faith still catches an occasional glimpse of the
other. 1t is the day when we stop for moment to
listen to the keynote of better life. Dissatfed
with what we have done the soul bids be Drawer,
truer and nober We heed the warning, and though
the cares of the coming days may diminish the
force of our resolution subtle something remains
which points to possibilities unattained, while it re-
minds of the ability to attain them With the
capacity to be great, still strangely small of
soul, and on each New Years Day chide our
selves for our weakness. sense of shame mngles
with the consciousness of power, and we annually
promise ourselves better things
Amid the hilarites of the hour there come to US
serious thoughts. Laughter amusement, pleasure
have conspicuous place in the religious life. Be
sad when you must, but be glad whenever you can.
The sadness will come of itself, unbdden, but the
gladness must be sought, and it is duty to search
for it until it is found. But behind the Smiles the
frivotes, the gayeties, every reasoning soul finds
food for grave questioning.
To the youth come moments when the vision of
great possibilities visit him. Life is stern, grave,
aborious. He dreams of success and strs his inner
depths with the determination to make it his. But
what shall the success be? Wealth, fame, position?
These are we'll enough and quite worthy our utmost
yea, if we have all three in our grasp they are not
enough. Without manliness, honesty, self-respect,
the ability to look back on the path we have travel
led without sigh. they count nothing when the
soul criticises and measures itself life of moral
principle of honor, of handed justice, is the
only life worth living Therefore, with all your
striving, let nobility of heart, unblemished
career, be your guiding star.
To the man in middle life the question asks itself
on such day as this, What have I done to make
the world better for my living in it? Rich or poor
learned or lliierate tqueston must be answered,
and the answer comes with armful of joy or of
regret. One can make his character great and no.
BILE in whatever station he may be placed, and
character is the only thing that lasts Death can
not change it, for it walks through the valley OF
shadows the throne of God, to be accepted there
On that bright morning if congratulate our
own souls on what they have achieved we have a
new year blessing that comes straight from heaven
To the aged there is nothing left but the future
The past has gone beyond recall and tomorrow
beckons. In the sweet faith that the sun will rise
again and that shall rise with the winter points
to spring. There is no sadness though the journey
draws to close for the Beyond opens up its glores
and with single step we shall be with our loved
ones once more. If we have done our work we'll we
shall go hence with JOY
For the young, therefore, and for the aged, and
for all, there is but one wish-that the new year
will find us strong for its duties and ready reap
the harvest in the field in which Providence mas
placed us.
David Rankin, Tarkio, Mo-, is perhaps the richest
farmer proper in the United States, says the ST.
Louis Post. Dispatch He works q 600 acres and