The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-12-30
NEW YEARS WISHES

1t is pleasant custom of this season, OF wish
ing others happy New Year This custom is
rore singular than our familiarity with it would
suggest While there is nothing more general
throughout the world than wishing, there is
nothing more singular than general custom OF
wishing happiness to Othcrs-indecd. the eX-
tcnsive observance OF this custom is signif-
cant mark of our Christian civilization.
Peoples of all lands wish.
They wish by the MOON by the stars, by the
Clouds by almost every phenomenon. With
some it is certain periods in the year, with others
it is daily enjoyment.
Not every wish comes true, Just as not every
seed that is planted natures
There is d pretty custom among uncivilized
tribes in the orient. wherein fair virgins make
little boats with sails place on the top lighted
candle and put on board cargo OF wishes At
evening twilight, these fra barks launched
on the doubtful current OF the river. Anxious
eyes watch them they float away. for ii the
boat sail from sight without ovcrturnng and the
candle burns without diving, then will her burden
OF wishes come true, and the dark-faced maiden
will happily wed. loo often alas. more often
than otherwise. these wishing boats and their
cargocS come to fateful end and diSappoint
the hopes OF those who risk them on the treacll-
erous stream-such is the end of many WISH
We wish always for things that are good but
not always do the things that seem to us good
could come to us than the getting OF every wish
In an ancient Italian fairy tale Fortunatus, by
means OF his wishing cap, ALWAYS had full
purse but that purse proved the ruin OF himself
and his sons result not uncommon in real life
today.
We wish happy New Year to Others. not for
its opening days alone but for all it's DAYS and all
its hours, even to when the year is diving: wishes
for December as well May, for May as IAN
uarv.
We wish that good which is ultimately good,
not that present sweet which turns to bitter but
such fruit as grows sweeter with ripening pros
pcr1tv and never knows decay
we wish happiness but mean more than
amusement, and even more than pleasure To
be amused is the need of children, but the high
Intelligence OF man needs more than amusement
Tor ITS satisfaction SO pleasure, if we mean
that which pleaSeS, comes far short of our best
wishes. a child is pleased with fire, and some
polSonS please the taste; indeed MANY things
that please also harm, and things dispeasng
often bring ultimate blessing.
Happiness is more than amusement or pleas
ure 1T reaches deeper into the innerife and is
far more abiding.
Inward conditions determine happiness ra-
Their the outward touches To cad about in
search OF happiness is like doctoring blood dis
ease by skin applications The source of health
is IN the soul, Happy are the pure in heart
=, ''e 10 picture III one OF the galleries OF
Europe representing the final Judgment of all
men, Among the many figures on the canvas
is one surely meant to be conspicuous He evil
IDENTITY is not saint though he revels in the fact
that instead of being happy he is wretched. He
Is now seeking to get out of that Heaven into
which formerly he crowded himself. Then he
was sure he would be happy could he but reach
the place. Now he has learned that happiness
is not place, but state.
Eden must be in the heart if the fruits of Eden
are to be in the life
Let us wish Others happy New Year but
such an one as is here indicated.