The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-01-14
Memory.

The following excellent article appeared
in recent iSSne of the CommOner and is
doubtless from the pen of ". j. Bryan,
the editor
The closing days of December bring re-
truSpecton 1t is the season when the 6re
burns most brightly on memory's altar.
Last opportunities, gone never TO return;
mistakes that can not be corrected; un-
charitable words, if not, deeds wrong in
themselves-al these are recalled, mingled
with pleasant memories, as the winter s
winds sing a sad requiem over the dying
year.
Ii is the accounting period, and If the
life Is what il ought to be each expiring
year should show 4 larger balance on the
credit side of the ledger than the year be-
fore. But reformation does not entirely
obliterate the marks of sin. Children
learn the story of the boy whose father
rave him a hammer and some nails and
told him Ia drive nail into one of the gate
posts every time he did anything wrong
and to withdraw a nail whenever he did
GOOD deed. For awhile the nails increased
but the very number of them finally brought
reflection aud the boy began TO withdraw
nails. One day the father found him
standing before the post-all the nails
withdrawn, but the boy was in tears. The
father. delighted with his son improve
ment, asked why he was sad and the boy
replied The sears are still there.
Yes. the sears remain but they may serve
useful purpose if they restrain us from
future transsression.
While repentance may change the course
of life it is not always possible to make
complete restitution when an injury has
been done TO another, If, for instance,
one takes human life no amount of re-
pentance can call back the spirit that has
flown. Nor is the taking of the life the
only sin for which full compensation can
not be made. The wrong done by false
witness is largely irremedieal. 1t is told
Of priest that one of his flock came to
confess to wiful slander. The priest di-
rected him to scatter a handful of thistle
down npon the wind and when he had done
50 he was directed to go forth and gather
up the scattered seed When he replied
that it was impossible TO do so his spiritual
adviser reminded him it was likewise i'm
possible to entirely undo the wrong done
by false accusation.
Memory does not always smile upon us
but when she does chide US it is for our
GOOD and while she sobers us with the COM
temptation of time wasted, hours mlsspent
and moments which we may wish to forget,
still she enables us TO live over the joyous
days of the past, preserves for us the faces
and voices of friends and gives us sweet
communion with the absent and the dead.
Memory is the wireless telegraphy which
indissolubly connects us with every expert
ence through which we have passed and
the messages move most freely between
youth and age By a kindly provision the
Creator has made memory most active when
the other powers are failing and when
planning for the morrow loses its charm.
In fact, it is one of the signs that the sun
has crossed the meridian that the time
given to memory increases. The young
talk not Of the past. With strong step
they press forward; with firm hand they
lay hold of the work before them; with
steady eye they look into the future. But
as age creeps on the pace slackens, the
grasp is loosened and the eyes grow dim.
Then the currents of life flow backward
and the early days return, bringing with
them IA period that resembles childhood,
just as the setting sun recalls the glowing
colors of the dawn. Happy are we if the
evening of life brings the satisfaction which
crowns well spent day aud finds us wait
ing with triumphant faith the hour when
''man goeth to his long home. >
As in the closing years of life, so in the
closing days of the year, memory holds
sway and We yield ourselves to her conso-
lation and adminitions,