The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-01

Ecclesiastes III /.
How true that Is! And although
there is no particularly valid reason
why it should be so. this is the season
and the time when people, generally
contemplate their varied acts of the
past and resolve to order their lives a
little differently In the future, and all
ways for the better. If man has a
fault. If he knows he is doing things he
ought not to do. If he believes that 9TH
er and nobler efforts in his work or his
play will be of benefit to himself and to
those about him, there is no good ex-
cuse why he should not start in reform
ing his ways as soon as the need for it
occurs to him. But a custom has been
built up which DEGREES that an excellent
time for doing these things is at the be-
ginning OF new year. It's pretty
good one, too, in a way. For many
man would never stop to think of his
errors and mistakes if there were not
some such an event as New Years day
to draw his attention to them.
OF course, this custom is not the real
significance of New Years day. Ancient
and modern civilized peoples. while diff
fering as to the day they reckoned the
beginning CT the civil year, have agreed
in distinguishing it by special festivi-
ties. 1t marks a definite milestone on
life's journey. with memories pleasant,
and sometimes otherwise, of the twelve
months that have gone by, with antici-
pations and prospects for a brighter
future A new leaf is turned in the book
of life and in the history Of the world.
And that, assuredly, affords a proper
occasion for a festival Of merry-mak-
ing, for an exchange of kindly greetings
and well-wishes among kinsfolk,
friends and acquaintance.
This turning of the new leaf Is prob
ably responsible for the practice that
has developed among men of making
new resolutions on the day it is done
for the ordering Of their conduct Most
men now realize that their lives. in a
great measure, are what they make
them; that better things will come to
them as they better equip themselves
to take advantage of the opportunities
which a new year promises; that better
and higher ideals of living and working
will result in a larger enjoyment of the
pleasures of life-will fortify them with
more strength to meet its trials and it's
pains.
Any quantity of misdirected fun Is
poked at the fellows who announce on
the first day of a new year that they
are going to give up this or that bad
habit; that they are going to try and
be better men in all ways. But good
resolution Of this sort is better made
and broken than if it were never made
at ALL Nor can there be much doubt
that many of them are kept, and that
the world is whole lot better of for
them than it would be otherwise. Sure
~ no harm is to come to any man for
making the effort to do a little better
in one or all things that are part Of
life.
So instead of ridiculing them. good
and new resolutions should be encour-
aged. They are the spokes In the
wheels of progress. Prospects are brill
liant now for many a swift turn Of
these wheels, and in the near future,
regardless of the carping critics who
get in front of them and try to block
the way. Every man who wants his
share of the good things that will be
scattered around must be fit and
worthy in all ways, and many will get
in this condition through their resolves
to do better which they have made to-
day.