The Rich Hill tribune., 1904-12-29

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The past year has meant many
things 10 many people.
Tragedy and comedy have played
hide and seek in the most unexpected
places. JOY and sorrow have gone
band in hand in many lives. Wishes
have not ended Ia fulhllment even
when most confidently expected: and
Fortune. with ner usual ickleness. has
smiled where her presence was hither-
to unknown.
The passing year has brought many
gifts there was no refusing. on some
u showered blessings until all the
world was golden 20 It's favorites. and
lie a happiness so great IL crowded
out al remembrance OF griefs that
were old. or yet 10 be born. To others
Il has been the graveyard OF dead
hopes the burying ground of happl-
ness. the hual resting place Of energy.
ambition and Ideals. To all Il has
brough, some experience that forever
win siand monument.like In our lives
10 mark the birth Of new capacities
within ourselves for good or cvfi: the
awakening Of some powerful Influence
Tor veal or woe
Twelve short months. and how much
they mean, A few hundred ard some
odd days. and hundreds Of lives are
marred forever. or made happy for a
time. Lived well and prohtably. they
have brought contentmcnt and a clear
conscience 20 help us face the coming
year and buoy us up IN the sturdy
faith that the future cannot but be as
bright as was the past. lll-spent those
few short months have banished hope
from many a life. and dimmed many
an illustrious name. II Is the mistake
OF the moment that makes the misery
OF A lifetime. nor can repentance
brighten it again. Few OF us are eapa-
BILE OF planning evil. but many uf us
succumb TO the unexpected opportu-
nifty. The strong withstand. the weak
faiter and fall. and yet the world in
sists that both should be measured by
the same stern standard OF right and
wrong. with no allowance made for
weakness. II Is 40 easy 10 be good
when one has all one wants. so simple
TO resist temptation that has no allure
ments. 80 comforting TO sit in the con.
sclops rcctiiude that knows no dlspo.
/ sitlon TO evil. and condemn thusn
/ whose lives are constant struggle
/ 20 DO the things they ought not 10 DO.
and IN whom one triumph ls greater
moral victory than a lifetime of right.
oousness on the part OF he untcmpt.
cd
We all have well defined wish AZ
,his season Of tho year to turn a clean
page In the book OF life. 10 improve.
| n possible. 90 perform miracles OF
Kindness and goodnoss.
The universal desire il 20 be al
| peace with mankind To succeed ono
must temper justice with mercy, until
the accepted position is reversed and
Il Is mercy which Is tempered With
| Justice To ourselves We cannot ba
too severe. to the faults OF others. too
lenlent by our own mistakes let ua
measure the mlsdemeanors OF those
about as. Let us proht by the temp
| tations We have met. returning thanks
for the courage which has helped us
20 Withstand some. from our failures
gathering fresh courage for a new at
tempt Each heart knows lts own BIT.
terness. A deep stratum OF sorrow
often lies close 10 the fairest surface
OF the knowledge born OF our expert.
ence We must be generous. and deal
gently with the faillngs hardest TO
understand In others, Charity cover
eth much. but alas. IN too many cases
Il Is garment worn threadbare az tho
seams. and IN. holes In many places.
To keep Il whole and capable OF shell.
terlng the needy is a task that would
probably on the next year for those
OF Us who viii undertake e; and
there should be many such. II we
were only honest enough 20 some
times make the allowances for others
We never fail to make for ourselves.
III there be some weaker one. give
me strength TO help her on. "a a Wish
that is charitable, practical and kind.
~, and would make a splendid device
| for 1905.