The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-01-02

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your energies? If not, then the record
of the past chides US and warns US not
to let this year follow in the wake of
former ones. He who has wasted the
early years of life. surely has had
enough folly 1. will be the height of
folly to allow this year to be trodden
down and wasted in the service of sin.
Some of US are q in the prime of lite,
what is the record of the years that
have gone? Were they blanks. or was
there half or full crop. Have 80 or
30 years gone and the unchanging
Christ not your FRIEND? Are you still
unconverted at 50? Are yea 60 and still
out of the ark? Seventy and no in
heritance laid up in heaven? o, vast
ed wears! Why hesitate to choose be-
tween the slavery of sin and the free
dom OF Christ? If former years have
been squandered, let not this year be
used in the same way. Impressive as
these truths are they fall upon our ears
and make but little more than passing
impression. Are we going down the
last slope without having reached the
period of sound discretion? Be ad-
monished lest this year also go against
your account. We pause as we enter
the new year! We remember the past
years. Was the music of those years
like merry tinkling bells upon which
was engraven holiness to the Lord?
How shall we answer, if this year is
wasted and we plod on dlsregarding the
claims of the Saviour. If He is our
friend we need not fear justice. The
sword was sheathed in His heart, il
shall not harm US.
The vine dressers intercession for the
tree was only for year, it was limited
If not successful, the tree must fall.
We are planted in the vineyard OF the
Lord, yet not living up to our RESPONSE
billties and duties. Jesus pleads now,
but there comes time when He will
cease, then our doom will be fixed.
There'll be last warning. a last
chance, From the cradle to the grave
life is one seupendous reality. The
reckless. squandering moral leper has
no second set of early years however
much be may wish for them. The last
stage of our pilgrimage will be reached.
What if this year be the last. Then
the scene will change. The curtain
that hides the future from our view
will rise and eternity will flash upon US.
Shall we be surprised to hear the mid
night cry. Behold the Bridegroom
cometh? Have we the proper gar
ments for the marriage supper? Some
are growing old, others are IN the prime
of life. many in the vigor of youth, but
the Lord az say to any os us. as He
did by His prophet, This year thou
shalt die" There is in the nature of
things limit to divine endurance The
new year greets you and bids YOU pre-
pare for the issues Of eternity.
For some Of you. disappointments
are in store, affection await you, sor-
rev shall fill your cup and the walk of
faith shall be changed to sight as you
enter the portals Of your heavenly rest.
That will be Joyful! day, far better
than the day of your birth. for it will
be your coronation day. Watch then,
quit you like men for your full redemp-
tion is at hand. The more good we do
here, the greater will be our capacity
for the enjoyment of happiness here
after. 1t means greater reward.
The new born year is happy fellow,
His voice Is sweet and low and mellow
With the Christmas holly his head is
crowned,
With Christmas blessings, Wen wrap
him round.
Then ring bells, ring r. the joyous
day
The past lies silent, the present is gay;
Ring out your merriest, cheer after
cheer,
To welcome the birth of the happy New
Yearv'
May yours be q very happy and pros
porous year.
Beloved, | wish above all things
that thou mayest prosper and be in
health, even as thy soul prospereth.
JoANNES
NOTICE.
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