On New Year's day you started in

With heart of grace absolved from sin,

With forward look, with purpose true,

And all the world was fair to you.

But soon the devil found a crack

And pierced your armor, front or back;

And soon, your conduct past excuse,

You sadly cried, "Oh, what's the use?"

Brother! the wheelings of the sun

In endless hopeful circles run;

They sweep serenely through the air,

And you may start from anywhere.

For common use we count the year

From one sole point in its career;

But you, adopt a lordly tone,

And fix a year that's all your own!

Adopt this very day and hour

As genesis of hope and power.

Forget the failures left behind,

And on the future fix your mind.

Break with the follies of the past!

Master your weaknesses at last!

Stiffen your muscles! Watch and pray!

Stoutly begin a year to-day!

-Amos Russel Wells-