The Lambertville Record

LETTER FROM RINGOES.

RINGOES, N. J., Jan. 1, 1884.

—We would like to see the present New Year witness:

A little more enterprise among our citizens.
The establishment of a creamery here.
More business done in our village.
The temperance society doing a great work among us.
Welcome 1884. May its days bring peace, joy and prosperity to all.
May all lead a better life.
May our people awake from their enterprising sleep and be not selfish to their own interests, but think a little about the interests of our village.
May the new year bring to all the greatest joy and happiness; may all receive their share of prosperity and enjoy the blessing of good health.

The warm weather of the past few days has melted the snow very fast and the good sleighing has been nearly spoiled. Colder weather and a few more inches of snow would make it fine again.

Perhaps the greatest improvement that has taken place about our village during the past year, has been the building of a new station. We are able to point with pride to the present cozy and pretty building. Our people waited a great while for it, but at last it came and we are pleased with it. A new plank walk is needed as badly as the new station was, and yet our citizens make no move toward building such. We hope the New Year will bring forth a change in this direction.

As is usual with holidays in our peaceful little village, Christmas was celebrated in a quiet manner. In many homes the customary annual family re-union took place and parents, children and grand-children, gathered around the farmer's Christmas dinner to enjoy the feast and talk over the occurrences of the year past. How happy are these occasions when families can gather together and spend a happy time. In the afternoon flakes of snow began falling thick and fast and continued falling throughout the evening. Those who had arranged to enjoy that part of the day, sleigh-riding thus had their plans destroyed and were obliged to enjoy the comforts that house might afford. We never before saw larger flakes of snow fall than some that fell during Christmas afternoon; some seemed to be half as large as a person's hand. Thus Christmas passed in the ancient village of Ringoes. Some people happy, some tired, a few sick and others exceedingly jolly from the effect of ardent spirits.

The New Year has arrived and the figures 1884 appear on the Calendar of time. No doubt the beginning of the day witnessed the forming of new resolutions in the hearts of many people. But it is easier to make resolutions than to keep them, but we hope those who have started the year in the right manner, will continue in the proper way. There are evils existing in our village which should be cured. Those who indulge in strong drink excessively, should see the poison there is in the wine cup and stop the habit. Homes are made uncomfortable and hearts saddened by its use. As we look over the past year, we feel safe in saying that there are none who can not see wherein they can make a worthy improvement in many things during the present year. The past year has brought its disappointments and surprises to all. Some homes have been visited by the Angel of Death taken from the fireside the face that bore the smile of peace and happiness. In some homes riches have abounded and given the members all the comforts that wealth could afford while in others, poverty has existed and the real comforts of life have not been experienced. And yet it is not where wealth abounds that happiness in its greatest degree is found, for in our most lowly homes we find the real fruits of happiness. Let us all begin the New Year with the following mottoes before us; 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 'Do good to all,' 'Be kind and charitable to the poor,' If all these are carried out we shall be abundantly blessed.

The stoves are closely surrounded during the present cold snap.

T. Edward Inglis preached to the congregation of the Presbyterian Church here on Sabbath last. On account of the extreme cold weather services were held in the Lecture Room. Mr. Inglis is a student of Princeton Seminary.

The youngest child, (a male babe,) a few months old, son of Levanus Myers of this vicinity, died after a few hours' sickness with congestion of the lungs, last Thursday. The funeral took place Saturday morning. Rev. Fisher Wilson of the Baptist Church preached the discourse.

Services are being held in the Lecture Room of the Presbyterian Church each evening during the present week of Prayer.

A very pleasant time was experienced by those who attended the sociable at Richard Williamson's house, last Thursday evening. The evening was a cold one, but the attendance was very fair.

Edgar Blackwell, Esq., of Jersey City, son of Mrs. A. W. Blackwell, of our village, died after a spell of sickness early last Sabbath morning. Mr. Blackwell is well known to most of our citizens, having resided here some years ago. He has not been in good health for some time. We understand that the immediate cause of his death was typhoid fever. The funeral takes place to-day (Tuesday) with services at the Presbyterian Church here.

Mr. Henry Britton is buying grain at our station and pays the highest price for it. Mr. D. B. Kirkpatrick is also buying at the same place and is up to the standard in paying the best prices.