The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-01-03
REMITTANCES;
THURSDAY. JANUARY 8. 1907.
THE NEW YEAR.

There is not heart which takes note
of the changing seasons that is not
stirred with some unrest as the old year
gathers itself to the numbered past.
The losses, the disappointments, the
bereavements it has witnessed come up
afresh as it withdraws from our grasp
its withered hand; and if its hours have
been bright with hopes fulfilled and Joy
that sweetened our daily cup, we feel
all the more deeply the sadness of part
ing. But we are disturbed most of all
because we have not left in its keeping
a memorial of ourselves with which we
are content. If we could recall the tab
let and retouch the sad inscription: If
we could blot out here and there a bitter
word; if we could live over again some
wasted hours to better purpose; if we
could see offered once more to our hand
the golden opportunities we carelessly
missed or wantonly rejected; if we could
but hold back the fading form until we
had plucked those stings from its mem
DRY, we could then let it go with less
of self-reproach and listen calmly to the
passing bell
There was beyond question special
providence that guided the choice of the
Christmas holiday, when the actual an
niversary was yet unknown. Some
poets have wondered that it was not
placed in the happy springtime, when
the whole world is being clothed anew
with verdure and bloom after the drear-
mess of winter But to the aching
heart which feels its sorest need. the
lesson it teaches is best adapted to these
closing hours of the dying year. 1t is
not sympathy with nature, but prefer
of grace that meets the longing of the
restless spirit. There is nowhere else
a hint of help for the dissatisfied soul.
From every field of earth we hear only
of law; it is an eye for an eye and a
tooth for tooth. A wasted year haunts
US with its menacing finger, and its re-
QUEEN seals our condemnation. We
cannot correct the wrongs that stand
charged against us, or redeem the time
we have freighted with evil. Just here
comes in the Christmas story with its
message of healing and hope. The love
that has in it the offer of forgiveness
comes at the end of the year when we
are most blessed with the burden it can
alone remove.
A week ago all lands were ringing
with the chimes that commemorated
the birth of the worlds RSdeemer. The
echoes are still floating in the air: the
dying year has heard the sweet refrain.
and turns on all who are watching his
departure with self accusing memories
a plying look to remind them once more
of that which is mans only comfort in
life or death. The Star which of old
led the wise men from the East and has
been offered ever since for human guild
ance, shines to-day above our path as il
did over the Manager at Bethlehem. the
symbol of pardon and peace.
The possibilities of the future are the
same. to all. This dividing landmark
separating the past from the future is
holy ground. Let us put off for a mo-
ment the shoes from cur weary travel
stained feet, Iand ask what we shall
carry with Jus over the invisible boun-
dairy at which we stand. There are
some burdens it wouldIbe well to Law
aside. Enmities are never. safe COM
panions at anyssseason, but it is hard to
dislodge them when once we take them
to our embrace. They seem, however,
to cling less tenaciously at the Christ
mas time, the song of goodwill which
the shepherds heard having a strange
influence toaweaken their hold. 1t is a
good time to cast them off once and for
ever and have done with them. Hate
is corroding canker, and gnaws with
teeth at the heart which
gives it home.