Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1915-12-30
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.

We are IFlug III an age OF SuCh III
tensity Of action that the contempla-
tive and mediative attitude Of mind is
conspicuous for its rarity The old
maxim was a good one, and it is no less
good today. Think twice before you
speak" Il Is to be feared that some
among us render it after a new YER
sion. "Act twice before you think"
The emphasis is being everywhere
laid upon the deed rather than the
thought. The slogan Of the times is
expressed in current slang do things
There is much danger in this spirit, as
well as some good. Our conservatism
tends 10 taenation. but the deed that
is the flower of prudent thought is
always best What we do most in the
end be a choice to leave something
else undone. No life is long enough
20 do il all.
II IS a great thing to do that which
rs worth while and best No man can
do that who does not carefully consid-
cr what Is worth while and best. II
is on,y a popular fallacy that declares
that time is lost which is used for con
temptation and wise discrimination.
Time is lost in doing things that are
not worth while and in doing things
which must eventually be undone. The
passing of the Old Year and the be-
ginning of the New is a good time to
take stock III the business of character
building; to seek earnestly to know
whether we are making the most of
what God has entrusted to us, declares
the Church Calendar If the life we
are living Is a worthy life? Are we
conscientiously endeavoring to make
it worthy? These questions are GER
tainly deserving of the most serious
contemplation They are vital and
must be answered here or at the bar of
God No life but a worthy life can
pass the gates of pearl. We have but
one life, and we ought to live that
life well.
AS we look backward over the Old
Year. what message does it bring to
YOU and me? Certainly, of many fail
ures to do that which we set out to do.
There are blots on many fair day of
IA. ~ngnlntfnne
which we made in all sincerity we have
not kept With many of us the con-
temptation of the record of the Old
Year is not attended entirely with re-
yret There were noble moments
when we measured up to the will of
Cod. Our good angel guided us into
paths of righteousness and peace. We
have had experiences along the way
which have frightened our lives aud
deepened our fountains of Joy. So with
mingled JOY and regret we face the
new era of time which is ours in the
New Year What shall we do with this
New Year? With some who real these
lines no doubt this will he the last we
will spend on earth. What a solemn
thought! And yet what possibilities OF
glory in it, To exchange earth for
heaven is no reason for tears. We
have stood for many weary years wait
ing at the portal; this year the gate
will swing open, and we will go into
the vision of the King. II we live for
God. it will be a glad New Year.
whether here or there.
In this New Year we ought to seek
careful to correct the errors of the
past, and to set about Immediately
doing the good things which we have
been. all our lives, intending to do.
some have lived from childhood to age
without settling the question of their
souls destiny. They have been say
ing to the waiting Christ, from year to
year. mot today" Time has passed
and days have heightened into years,
and they still linger. This New Year
is the time TO settle that question.
If it is ever to be settled,it is time TO be
at it. 1t is tragedy too deep for tears
to end life in spiritual bankruptcy.
Let us all make this New Year the
very best of all the years we spent
on this earthly planet. Let us turn its
gems of time into spiritual treasure
that we can lay up in Heaven. when
the years shall have an end. Then
when the year is done the minutes and
the hours will turn to angel-choiristers
and they will sing in raptuous har-
mony to our delighted ears. the heav-
enly commendation-W Done!