The Colorado statesman., 1912-12-28

hX4R6p er comes after the old
year goes. 1t was In
less biting air. but in increasing light.
that the proof was found of the turn
O the year"
The dead year is often buried to
the dirge of winters most bitter winds.
The frost is going deeper, when the
season is normal. Natures sleep is
most profound. There is only one sign
that the sun has turned and is
coming back That evidence is lit
tie more daylight, little less of-the
darkness of night
But more light is enough. 1t makes
the change time of joy, of new hopes
and more confident turning to the
future. There is the promise OF spring
In the added light of the day and
the promise of growing good and re-
treating evil in the coming OF the
new year.
1t means that mankind has another
chance for better things. 1t gives hope
of a new foothold and endeavor to
fresh start. The world is invited to
turn its back on the mistakes and sins
and troubles of the past and look to
the ever-wonderful possibilities of the
unknown time to come.
There is the charm and joy of New
Years. In that revival of dropping
confidence, in that lure Of the infinite,
lies the appeal of the day which is al
ways greeted with enthusiasm, no mat
ter how many generations have seen
the hopes of the years birth wither
before its death. After many fail
ures success may come. Who knows?
That is the magic question-"Who
knows?" The world gains from year
to year in thousand little things,
and sometimes a great evil long en-
dured goes crashing down. Who can
say what the limit of triumph may be
in the better times to- come?
For the world, like every young
year, is getting more light 1t has
more of the sunshine of truth, more
of the life-giving rays OF knowledge.
II they seem cold and sterile, at
times, it is because humanity's year
Is still young. I'VE are ancients OF
the earth, and in the morning of the
times"
This increasing light of knowledge,
this brighter beacon to guide the
steps of mankind, must flower and
fruit in richer gains than humanity
has yet won. 1t is an accumulating
force, like the warmth which the sun
gives the earth in spring
The thinkers and dreamers of the
world know that this is SO. They
are inspired by the consciousness that
with growing knowledge there must
come increased power and higher
wisdom to direct and control 1t for
the help and uplifting Of mankind.
The faith sees the life and growth,
the color and warmth of spring, in
the lengthening days of winter. They
perceive that the world of men and
women, and of the children, too,
though still far from the full tide of
its summer, is already we'll into the
long new year of the human family.
They are as certain of the spring for
all mankind as they are that January
will pass and May will come.
1t is a mistake to reflect too much
upon the past. 1t has it's lessons, but
the learning of them should not SO
absorb our attention as to preclude
us from incorporating them into our
daily life, transmitting the memory
and experience into the gold of use
full practicability and ready work that
yields results.
Introspection was getting so insist
emily a habit of the New Year that
we are beginning to forget it was
but means to an end-the re-
Elective porch to the large and spa
cious chamber of lofty resolve and ac-
complishment. We fancy sometimes
that a faint suggestion of maudlin
sentiment crept into the self-analy-
sis, converting what should have
proved a stepping stone to higher
planes of activity into a more pur-
gatory of self-abnegation ending in a
cul-de-sac. We want to make our
reflection an avenue that leads through
maths of earnest thought to the high
tablelands of glorious endeavor and
achievement. The soul itself must
be utilitarian and not waste itself in
Improbable penance.
What has the year accomplished for
womanhood? There has unquestion-
ably been a remarkable renaissance OF
the feminine. Woman has broaden
ed her outlook, established her claim
to wider recognition of her talents. i'm
pressed public life with her power for
good, and raised her physical and men
tai scale of the sex. Thank God, among
the general advancement there is one
that is inspiringly reactionary-a re-
version to the old veneration for the
sanctity of motherhood-the holiest
and divinest calling of all, calling in
volving great sacrifice, great sorrows.
but bringing with 1t, on the other
hand, untold compensating joys.
In the medical profession woman
has done well, while in the humber