Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-12-31
A Time for High Resolve.

by Tie Ilb6 "a tOlllOIIOW Dull IL
will have passed to the limbo Of
things that used to be; yet, to the
songs of men, if they are wise, its
lessons will linger
AS a pathfinder for mortals, all OF
whom have ways to pursue in the
days to come, the lamp of expert
ence, if wisely employed, is the best
By its light may best be seen the
things best to be done, and those
best to be left undone for its rays
will clearly show, among other things
those habits-and every descendant
of Adam is a creature Of habit, good
or bad-which should be formed,
and those, already formed, which
are good and should be adhered to
and those formed. and found to be
bad, which should be discontinued
and permitted to pass into the realm
of innocuous desuetude.
The present is an opportune time
for each of us, and especially for
those who purpose to till the ground
for a livelihood to indulge restrospec-
ton that we may the more intelli-
gently exercise prospection-that we
may discover the mistakes of omis-
sion and commission of the past and
plan to escape similar errors in the
future.
1t is, too, a good time for intro
spection for us ala good time for
determination, to ascertain the
tendency Of ones thoughts and feel
ings; and. if the introspection be
honest, much may be found not in
harmony with either Gods will OF
that woich is due to our fellow-cref-
lures.
To make a change for the better
to determine to live more wisel,
there can never come a better
time than NOW.
BE wise today; It's madness to
defer" to decide to leave off those
things we should not do, and to de-
termine to do those things which we
know to be right-right in the sight
of God and man.
To do that-and do it now-is the
very essence of earthly wisdom.
The thought that instrospection is
but another name for wisdom, is
well suggested by Young, when he
says;
"Tis greatly wise to talk with our past
hours,
And ask them what report they bare to
heaven"
To the man or woman of self-res-
pectine pride add worthy character,
there can be no better habit than
that of self-communion, and noImon-
itor superior to the still small voice"
which speaks to every one and by
which the souls of the righteous are
,wayed.
Conscience is unheeded only by
the vicious-by the self-induleent
and reckless wrong-doers.
The first of January is the day on
which men swear off," or, as the
oessimist puts it, make pledges to
De broken-adopt resolutions soon
o be repudiated and, therefore, bet
er not to have been adopted.
The Beacon takes no stock in that
'Ort OF reasoning.
1t believes on this day every one
hould resolve to lead wiser and
,etter life.
That will, at the least, show a
pirit willing, even though the flesh
8 weak.
If such is the result what of it?
The effort, even if it does fail, will
re pleasing in the eyes of God.
Was not the King of Israel-of
1hom God gave testimony, and said,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a
IAN after mine own heart, which
hall fulfil all my will" aperson who
lade many good resolutions which
ometimes he did not keep.
Was not David, as Sam Jones ex-
ressed, "A great sinner. but, bless ]
cd, he also was a first-class repen-
ri"
Oh yes, we deem it better to re- ,
dive to be good. and sometimes fail s
herein, than not to resolve at all, !,
This, in measure. is, for the