Poem January 3, 1901 Issue

A New Year's Thought

BY MARY LILIAS BEST.

"Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring out the false, in the true."
So sing the joy bells at this New Year's tide,
And in those words, to each and all,
There comes a message echoing far and wide.

Ring out the pride, the hatred, and self-will,
The thoughts of malice which contain
The poison that doth sting and wound and kill,

And let the love of self no longer stay,
Deny it, and declare it naught,
Then, to the love of Christ it will give way.

Ring in the thoughts of peace, good-will, and love,
The love for God and man alone,
And on our hearts will rest the heavenly dove.

O may this message ringing from the tower,
Be heard by all! And let us then,
Not only once a year, but every hour
"Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring out the false, ring in the true."