Rev. J.M. Ormond Welcomes New Year, 1921

By Rev. J.M. Ormond, Pastor of The First M.E. Church South of Elizabeth City

It is easy to turn an optimistic praise or to strike a note of pessimism, but it is not so easy to write down in a few words one’s opinion of the outlook for 1921 which opinion is to be justified by certain determinative factors. We have never entered any two years under exactly similar circumstances. As we begin this new year we face both discouraging and encouraging features which are distinctive.

The evil influences of the reconstruction—perhaps a better designation would be “re-destruction”--period, have touched every phase of the American social order. Everybody knows that the economic life has been seriously affected, but everybody does not know what is equally true that the polticial, educational and religious phases of the life have likewise been disturbed. These are not separate and distinct things, but are the several functions of the one and same human life.

In their common struggle against these evil forces, the American people are writing a new chapter faith and cooperation by the man rapidly changing social conditions. It furnishes us with the finest recommendation ever seen for Western Democracy and Christian Civilization.

This temper of manhood will be the chief factor in snatching a great victory in 1921 from the jaws of defeat. To sit and sign over the losses and failures of last year would give us a first class guarantee of failure in this. “Bemoaning the fact that the big fish got away makes for an empty creel” There is a great art in letting the past be past. If we can lay aside the old year as the sprout discards the decayed acorn in its struggle to become a giant oak, there are no difficulties which may not be overcome.

Faith in one’s self, in one’s fellowman and in one’s God is the greatest element that makes for successd in any vocation of life. Every true American is called to a supreme manifestation of this faith not only for his individual success, but for the sake of common humanity.

“I will start anew this morning with a higher, fairer creed;

I will cease to sit repining o’er my ruthless neighbor’s greed;

I will cease to sit repining while my duty’s call is clear;

I will waiste no moment whining, and my heart shall know no fear.”

(From the front page of The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., Jan. 7, 1921)