Sunday, January 11, 2015

**JANUARY 1ST - Happy New Years.


HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

HOW BEGINNING OF NEW YEAR HAS "LEAPED."


 From December to March and from March to January - A Table Which Gives Much Valuable Information About Days and Dates.

Necessity ever has and always will be the mother of invention. It is evident that previous to the latter part of the sixteenth century the nations of the old world were differing widely in their opinions as to which was the proper date to recognize as the beginning of the year. This naturally would cause more or less difficulty in arriving at the proper time for settlement of accounts, renewing their obligations and determining the dates for holidays, feasts, etc., which were strictly observed by various kinds of religious and other organizations. In order to more clearly illustrate the state of affairs and the possibilities of what could arise from such a condition from which they were obliged to base their calculations a momentary glance at history will be necessary. In those ancient days, the friction of thought relating to these conditions well served its purpose in bringing about a much needed reform. However, like most other innovations on methods which have become stereotyped on the minds of the people by custom and long usage, it required centuries before the change was univesally adopted and used as it is at the present day. The uncertainty of accurary in the Julian or old style method of computation of the year had long been noticed by ancient astronomers, consequently in October, 1582,  Pope Gregory XIII, undertook to reform the Roman calendar. The alteration made by him created. The alteration made by him created what is commonly termed the new style, which recognizes January first as the beginning of the year in nearly all civilized countries. After great consideration that pontiff published his calendar, by which he ordered from the year 1582, by calling what, according to the old calendar, would have been the fifth of October, the fifteenth of October, 1582.

 Previous to this Spain had commenced the year for a time on March 25th, then Dec. 25th, but since 1582 on January 1st. In Portugal the new style calendar was adopted in 1582, but previously the new year came, first on March 25th, then Dec. 25th. Some provinces in Holland commenced the year at Christmas, but in others it began at Easter. In 1575 the duke of Requesens, governor of the Low Countries, ordered that it should begin January 1st. In Denmark the year began January 1st, after having sometimes commenced on Christmas, and on Aug. 12th, which was the date of the feast of St. Tribune. In Switzerland, in the fourteenth century the year began January 1st. It was later changed to March 25th, which continued until the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. In the greater part of Italy, during the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the year began at Christmas. In 1751 the Gregorian calendar was adopted. In Germany, Christmas was generally considered the beginning of the year, but this was not universal. At some places it began at Easter. The University of Cologne considered March 25th as the first of the year. The new style was adopted by the Catholics in in 1584 and by the Protestants in 1700. In France, it was the custom about the ninth century to commence the year with Christmas. From the end of the eleventh century to the year 1563 it began at Easter, or rather on Holy Saturday (Easter eve). The Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1582. England and Ireland had been commencing the year on March 25th, but in 1751 it was enacted that the first of January, 1752, should be the beginning of that year and all future years. Subjoined is a calendar from which can be determined the day of the week for any date from Jan. 1st, 1700, to Jan. 1st, 2100.

 To find the day of the week for any date. Look under the columns for years, and locate the given year; then, in the same line to the right, in the column under the desired century, you will find the index number. Then locate the desired date. If it is in January or February, leap year, or otherwise, always be careful to look in the column under the right month. After having found your date, look in the same line to the right in the columns for days of the week, and in the column which is headed with your index number you will find the desired day of the week. Example: What was the day of the week January 1, 1898?  Under column for years we find 98; then to the right, under 1800, we find index number 2; then to the right of January 1st, in column headed with 2, we find Saturday.
                        G. W. CUNNINGHAM.
Lafayette Advertiser 1/1/1898.









 From the Lafayette Advertiser of January 1st , 1898:


 Welcome to 1898!

Good morning!
A happy New Year to you!
Turn over a new year, to-day!
Don't forget to write in 1898.

 At precisely twelve o'clock last night mid the booming of canon and other eclat the old year became a thing of the past and the new year was ushered in. This is in accordance with the law of mutation which no man can stay.


 Of the old year we have compiled a record, the experience of each day, week and month being added to those gone before, and with respect to the "bitter and sweet" of this life the world has probably not fared any worse at the hands of the year 1897 than with many of its predecessors. The law of compensation, which is immutable, maintains the equipoise of the human race, making man's loss another man's gain. By some the old year will be remembered mostly on account of the blessings it gave and to others recollection of it will ever be attended with pain on account of the sorrow it brought. This is life, and it will never be thus.

Of the new year we can know nothing further than what will be learned day by day as time glides along. The veil that screens the future from view is absolutely impenetrable, the Omniscient having is ordained and it is well to have it thus, for it is quite enough to look after the present, that requiring our undivided attention if we would have things well done.

As it is not optional with us and we must part with the old year, let us do so with all the good grace at our command, and so it is we now do take leave of it. To the New Year we should extend a hearty welcome and all hope for the best. In accordance with the old custom it is in order to make new and good resolutions for the future. We should not only resolve to do better, each one acting for himself, but we should carry out the resolution. On this day that marks the birth of a new year, let everyone one of us resolve to cultivate a deeper feeling of charity to-ward each other and we will find life all the happier. This is a great, big world and there is plenty of room in it for us all if each one will allow to his neighbor but his just dues.

The Advertiser hopes the New Year will contain much of blessings and little of sorrow for the people of Lafayette , in particular, and to mankind in general.

Lafayette Advertiser 1/1/1898.



LAGNIAPPE:
What's In A Name?

New Year's Quotes from Various Sources.


From the Complete Speaker’s Almanac.


  "Here we are in a month named after the Roman god Janus, an appropriate personification of the start of the new year. This particular Roman god had two faces so that he could look ahead toward the future and back at the past at the same time. As we get rid of an old year and look forward to a new one, we all try to be a little like Janus. We know through experience what we did wrong and what we did right, and hope to do better this year. Some people make ambitious new year’s resolutions; others just take a deep breath and hope for the best.…"




To Start A New Year.
Anonymous


"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.

Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others.
As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance."



Recipe for a Happy New Year
Anonymous


 Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.
Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.




I Am the New Year
From the Bible Illustrator


 I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."






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