Milford chronicle., 1929-01-04
THE NEW YEAR OPPORTUNITY

One reason why the habit of max
ing New Year resolutions became un-
popular, was that it was presented
to the people so much in the line of
duty. The people of these times
do not like to be reminded of their
duties. The very word has cold
and obnoxious sound to them, and it
repels them. Much more can be ac-
complished by pointing out the OPP
portunities which lie before them.
New Years day can well be
time for a contemplation of these
opportunities. If we have reason
ably good health, we can look for
ward to the probability of year of
activity and achievement, in which
we can profit by the multitude of op-
portunities in modern life.
Some cynical people say there are
not so may opportunities for sue
cessful life as there used to be. On
the contrary, there are a great many
more opportunities. In the fields of
work and business, people are spen-
ding more money than ever before,
they are constantly calling for new
things. There are plenty of chances
for profitable work on the part of
those who respond intelligently to
these demands.
We do not make full use of our
opportunities unless we take advan-
tage of them for the improvement of
our own mental equipment. People
ought constantly to be learning. If
they can find no time to read, there
is something wrong in their time
table. Their hours are not well al
loted. They are sacrificing their fu-
ture development to some present
need, and that kind of thing does not
pay.
Also life is not satisfying unless
we are interested in having better
cities and towns, better social life,
better churches, better education. Let
us look forward into this unknown
new year, and see if we can not
plan out ways by which we can work
for these community gains, and
there is plenty of chance to do it
here in Delaware; especially in and
about Milford.
@e@
LET US BUILD, NOT DESTROY
At the new year period, it is ma
tural to ask what changes the COM
ing year can be expected to bring to
our development and point of view.
The most dominating influence of
the past 10 years since the war
closed, has been the feeling of disil-
lusion. The soldiers came home
from the war after great sacrifices
and sufferings, feeling that the ends
hey had fought for were not secur-
ID. They were sickened by the hor-
rors of war. They felt that the world
lad been most miserably misman-
lged.
The result was widespread feel
ng of revolt, not merely against poll
ticians and diplomats, but against
ideas and institutions.
People set out to disregard the old
'ules of morality, family life, and
obedience to the laws of the land.
While some foolish notions were
hus discarded, the general effect
las been to leave the world worse
han it was.
This feeling is merely a tempor-
Try phase, the ebb tide of war en-
husiasm. We need today to build up
ather than tear down.
This building up can not be done
N any wholesale scale. Each indi-
-idual and family and community is
alled on to do its part. 1t is TO be
loped that the new year of 1929 will
zee substantial progress toward
hese ends. 1t is for the people in
ividually to cling to the old truths
f morality and honesty. 1t is for ]
antilles to give attention to the
roper training of their children. 1t !
S for each community, and we
hould begin here in Delaware, to
rovide the best possible schools J.,
nd churches where young people :
hall be brought up with moral
leals.
THE IDLE WORD that stings is :
S old as human speech. Spoken
or spoken in a NOM |
mt of irritation, it says more than :
ne speaker meant. At least it says a
lore than he would have said if he f
ad taken second thought. Too Of
N in hasty moment one who real
: would not for worlds cause last
lg hurt does just that because he
caches for the first remark that =,
ill register.
These idle words go deep, deep t
ito the heart and memory of the f
ne to whom they are addressed.
IT, a