First Pastor of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass.

Delivered January 6, 1895

TEXT: _They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy
house; and Thou shall make them drink of the river of Thy
pleasures._--Psalms xxxvi. 8.


A new year is a nursling, a babe of time, a prophecy and promise clad in
white raiment, kissed--and encumbered with greetings--redolent with grief
and gratitude.

An old year is time's adult, and 1893 was a distinguished character,
notable for good and evil. Time past and time present, both, may pain us,
but time _improved_ is eloquent in God's praise. For due refreshment garner
the memory of 1894; for if wiser by reason of its large lessons, and
records deeply engraven, great is the value thereof.

Pass on, returnless year!
The path behind thee is with glory crowned;
This spot whereon thou troddest was holy ground;
Pass proudly to thy bier!

To-day, being with you in spirit, what need that I should be present _in
propria persona?_ Were I present, methinks I should be much like the Queen
of Sheba, when she saw the house Solomon had erected. In the expressive
language of Holy Writ, "There was no more spirit in her;" and she said,
"Behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the