The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-12-30
THE NEW YEAR.

The pathway of life has at regular
intervals a year stone, each one
labelled differently from its prede-
cessor. The enc that we are now
approaching is marked 1905, ard
ere this issue Of the .I;gis reaches
many of it's distant readers the bells
will have tolled in a new year and
1904 will be known only in history.
1t seems but a very little while since
those bells rang out before and how
cheerilv they sounded to our ears.
The same changing is again heard
but many who gave it a glad
welcome twelve months ago are now
mingling with the silent dead and
the hopes that at that time ran So
high i'll their breasts are buried with
them. Others who looked forward
with great Joy have found emptiness
and mockery i'll pinning their faith
to those trans;tory things known as
worldly; and are learning by ex-
perience that the only real happiness
is in leading life that looks only to
the Great World beyond.
This is the one time when we view
the world from the three standpoints
of past, present and future. Past
that we may learn from our mistakes,
present that we may make G BOD reso-
lutions thereof which are to be put in
to action in the future. Of the three
periods only one is ours. We can in
no wise live again the life that is gone
any more than the mill wheel can be
turned with the water that has past.
Neither can we live the future which
is yet beyond our control. But there
is satisfaction in the better present
that is improved by the experience of
the pasr, and thus in a measure
shapes the future to our liking.
This is tie time of good resolu-
tions. Every one makes an effort to
cast off some bad habit, and indeed
so general is the custom that dealers
in stimulents always look to a dull
season Immediately succeeding the
holidays. 'Tis sad to relate that this
period does not extend long into the
new year. A few months and things
are about the same as before except
perhaps little more so. But there
is comfort in knowing that each
year adds few to the list of those
who possess sufficient self-contr,ol to
master their appetites and the great
army is only kept going by the new
yearly victims. Not aloneis it neces-
sary for us to try and control our
appetites. There are many other ex-
cesses just as degrading and all lead
to a final end. God made man indie
pendent, with the power to discrimi-
uate between good and evil. He has
an infallible guide in his own con-
science, and he can never stray: very
far from the paths of right shoald he
listen to it's small voice.
This is the time of year when we
square our accounts and take off a
trial balance. This applies not only
to our business transactions bat to
dealings with our fellow man; that
are not accounted for in dollars and
cents. 1t is a very good time to
think over the precepts of the Golden
Rule and let its teachings tell as our
status with the ledger accounts of
our associates. Have we done unto
Others as we wish to be done by? If
not, letnot another setting sun see the
wrong go unrighted. Live by its
teachings and there will be no need
for courts or lawyers. Drive out the
absorbing spirit Of sel6shness and
try to lead the better life of acting to-
ward others rs we would have them
be with us. Make this one resolu-
ton and see how much your sood
example will influence the lives of
others.