The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-12-28
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
The Old Year.

/ mas entered unDlQQen ana IalQ his Icy
| finger on some of our best citizens and
they could not but respond.
Our thoughts are naturally turned to
this dread messenger. This last enemy
We must meet in our earthly career as
we come to the closing hours of the
old year. He has been, friend after
all, though we may have thought him
rude and cruel, a real friend for has he
not brought US many comforts and
blessings? There have been more
bright than dull days; more sunshine
than clouds. But in little while the
bell will toll his departure then it will
ring in a new friend. Our blessings
have been many. Divine goodness has
accompanied US. We have had ample
evidence Of the mercy of heaven. Yet
how have we received and used it. We
slip along Indifferent to our obligations
to serve the Lord regardless of the
claims of others upon US, selfshly look
ing out for ourselves and grabbing for
what we can get out of life. 1t would
take the thunders of Sivai to waken US
out of our stupor.
We need to return to some of the old
ways at least. The sense of divine
mercies and the Lords willingness TO
help US, ought to lead to unfeigned re-
pentance and cheerful obedience.
Moses told the children of Israel to
ask for the days that are past" ask
from one side of heaven to the other,
that is the earth. under the heavens.
Ask all the people if they ever heard
such great things as the Lord was do
ing for them an unruly people. They
were to review the past and betake
themselves to obedience. This is one
of the review terms when we need to
pause and take stock-an inventory to
see how we stand with the world.
We are about to bid good bye to the
old year and welcome the new. In
Switzerland there is night mountain,
on the top of which if we stood our
shadow would be thrown by the rising
sun, far in the distance, and by the
setting sun, as far in the opposite d.
rection so that in looking from that
cloud crowned height we could see our
shadowy form floating on mist between
heaven and earth. Just now we are on
such pinnacle. The interval between
the dawning and the departing Of the
year Is closing now. The old year will
soon lay down its load and its life and
out of its ashes will spring the new.
The old lays down its body in the char
red house Of the past, but out of 1t will
emerge in resurrection beauty fraught
with its joys and sorrows, its mighty
issues and its great facts; its cruel
wars and awful suffering the New
Year to US unknown and untried. Here
the streams Of the past and present
meet; here the last year seals up its
testimony to witness for or against US,
and from which the next year starts or
it's career rejoicing as strong man to
run a race, 10 each Of US has been
allotted his separate work and peculiar
scenes and we are each day nearer our
eternal abode upon which our life here
makes its indellble impre ssions. In
view of this, it is well that we, like the
merchant, should review our account
and see how we stand with God
There is a bit OF pathos, an element
of sadness about the departure of the
old year. Its cadences are solemn. A
few months since, twas full of life and
vigor but it has grown old and will soon
drop into the irretrievable past.
1t lived as long as it's predecessors,
but to some it seemed longer by reason
of the circumstances, fer they lived
faster and grew older in a few days,
than in months of ordinary experiences.
Its months have been spent in pleasure
and pain, JOY and sorrow, in doing good
to our fellowmen or in bringing evil on
the world; or perhaps lot of the time
has been squandered, wasted-let Slip
so golden opportunities have gone and
we are the worse for it. Though it
passes away its foot prints are eternal.
1t started a succession of influences that
will be far reaching. What we have
done in this passing year cannot be IN
done, what we have left undone must
remain so forever.
Gladly would we recall many thing
but they have passed beyond our reach.
Impressions have been made on our
souls that we would etface if possible
but the memory of them remains with
US. Oh! these sad, these bitter mem
cries of life, how they gall us. What
can we do? Have them covered by
the blood of atonement then forgetting
the things of the post, press forward
toward the mark. of the priseof the high
calling in Christ Jesus. Recall the sights
we have seen and then multiply them by
what the millions have seen and what
must the Old Year have witnessed
Murder has lifted its CORY hand and