THE MONTHLY JOURNAL Published by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. VOL. X. THE JOURNAL. JANUARY, 1876. OUR NEW YEAR'S GREETING. NO. 1. well as our own. How far we have succeeded our increased circulation for the year just closed must answer. It would be strange, indeed, if during so long a period no mistakes have been made, or that none have been dissatisfied, but that need not deter us from profiting by the past and en deavoring to be more vigilant in the future. That the JOURNAL has been the means of developing a talent among Locomotive Engineers that they themselves were not aware of none can deny; but that the full measure of that ability has been brought into exercise we very much question. N presenting you this, the first number of the JOURNAL for the new year, we cannot refrain from congratulating you upon the success achieved in the year just past. That it was due to the efforts put forth by our many friends in all parts of the country we are well aware, and to them we return our most grateful thanks. But does success to-day justify inaction or indifference to-morrow? No! but on the contrary, it makes it all the more necessary to put forth renewed effort that the ground gained may not only be maintained, but an advance made commensurate with our experience and increased advantages. We commenced the year with a firm determination to make the JOURNAL worthy of the patronage and support of its friends, and the respect, if not the esteem, of its enemies. We have closed it, feeling that however much we may have fallen short of realizing our expectations, it has not been because we have not earnestly and honestly endeavored to make use of such ability as God has endowed us with to advocate the cause of Truth, Jus-perity of the JOURNAL, we ask, have you tice and Morality. We did not expect to be able to produce a book that would startle the literary world with the force of its genius, but we did expect to publish a work which would fairly represent the claims of engineers upon the public, and reflect their views upon all such questions as immediately concern them, while at the same time we should minister to their improvement as God has so arranged our mental system that it grows brighter and more capable of producing satisfactory results by a judicious and systematic use, and to refrain from using it is to render it inactive and incapable of responding when it is called upon to act. A new year is always a time for new resolves—a time for determining to turn aside from old habits and starting out in such new paths as duty may designate, retaining only so much of the old as conscience approves of. And now, applying this general rule to those of our readers who have, or ought to have, a direct interest in the pros done all that was in your power to do to advance the common cause? Some have done nobly, but a few cannot do the work of the many. The work cannot stand still; it must either go forward or backward. It is our intention to maintain the same degree of excellence, as far as our abilities and circumstances will admit of, that has marked its columns heretofore-supporting the right, not because it is popular so to do, but because it is right, and opposing wrong simply because it is wrong and ought to be opposed; and this we believe we shall be sustained in by all who have the public good at heart, and those who have not we do not wish to be supported by. We shall endeavor to fill our pages with such matter as, in our judgment, will not only interest, but benefit and instruct those of our readers in whose interest it is published, being careful to exclude everything that is in the least degree either immoral, sectarian or political; in fact, our aim will be to improve in everything as fast and as far as a careful study of the wants and tastes of our readers demand and as our capabilities will permit. But, after all this has been done, there remains a work to be done that we cannot do-a work that can only be done by yourselves. tion to remain in ignorance, and none are so ignorant as those who will not know. We know that all have ideas peculiar to themselves, but they are of no benefit to themselves even if they are not brought into contact with the ideas of others, and in the light of experience, either demonstrated or disproved. It will not answer to brood over a pet notion with a vain hope that you may make it so nearly perfect that none will question or find flaws. The days of improvement have not forever gone by, the field is as wide and the prizes as rich as ever, but to gain them an effort must be made. We must give up the idea that our opinions are of no consequence to others; we must make them known, if they are correct others of larger experience will substantiate them; if they are erroneous they will be corrected, and thus while we are being informed, others The JOURNAL was established to supply a will be gathering knowledge as well. It long-felt want in enabling members to ex- does not follow, as a matter of course, that press their views upon the many topics in because we are engineers we can have no which we have a common interest, as well interest in other subjects; it is a mistaken as afford a medium through which the rights notion that the mind can only be occupied and interests of engineers might be advo- with what the hands find to do. The trouble cated, but, comparatively speaking, how is not in the lack of capability to do, but few avail themselves of the privilege; how the lack of energy to commence, or if comfew improve the talent God has given them menced, to continue until satisfactory reto instruct and benefit those of their Broth-sults are produced. Let us then, one and ers who are not so favored. There is a work all, commence the year with a firm deterfor all to do. Nothing so surely brings mination to do our duty in this respect, as about harmony of action as a general inter- well as in all others. Send in your commuchange of ideas and thought. What does nications-if found not worthy of publicait matter if your productions are not gems, tion do not be discouraged, but try again, or if you do not succeed in producing that manifest some of that spirit that marks you which satisfies yourself even. It is far in the conduct of your business, and depend better to try and fail than not to try at all. upon it, success must follow. If each were to wait for the other, a commencement will not soon be made. We are all hoping and seeking for better positions than those we at present occupy, but do we realize that it is necessary first to qualify ourselves to fill these better positions, and, being qualified, that it is our duty to help our Brother to store his mind with truths to be again imparted by him to others? We are not independent-each stands in need of his fellow, and each lacks some quality that another can supply. We are not so constituted that one can possess all the knowledge and the other be utterly devoid, unless it be by his own determina We would not seem ungrateful to those who have rendered such valuable assistance in times past, but to those who are capable and yet have utterly refrained from doing that which they know to be a duty, we would, with all the earnestness at our command, say, if you expect to convince those not interested in the work of its importance, you must first manifest some interest yourselves. But taking it for granted that we have succeeded in convincing you of the importance of contributing to the columns of the JOURNAL, if, indeed, you were not already convinced, there remains yet a work to do. The object of publishing this, or any other "utté 2-24-43 work, is that it may be read, and to be read ness and attention in connection with your Many who celebrated the last New Year with us have fallen by the way-their work is finished, their course is run, and there remains to us but their memory and their example. Shall we who remain for a brief time to carry on the work before we give place to others who shall fill our places, have it said of us that through our negligence the golden opportunity was lost? If we would not then we must see to it that we do not deserve it. The circulation of last year was a credit to the organization. It was obtained by a systematic effort. It can, and ought to be, not only maintained, but increased as each succeeding year rolls by. The task is not an insurmountable one, all that is needed is for each of the ten thousand five hundred members of the Brotherhood to give in their order and then secure one beside his own, and the work is done. Many Divisions exceeded this rule so far last year that it will seem to them that they have nothing to do. But to them we will say that they will not be restricted in the least. We want twenty thousand subscribers, and shall not be satisfied with less. Shall we have them? If you do your duty, yes. If you do not do your duty, no. Through the liberality of the express companies we are enabled to forward packages as we have done heretofore. It is a kindness on their part that all ought to appreciate, and to manifest, not in words alone, but in those little acts of kind With thanks, then, to any and to all who have in the year gone by given us their kind assistance, whether as transporters, contributors or solicitors-an assistance which has furnished the means to cheer the heart and brighten the home of many who without it would have been left to the cold charity of the world, and with the hope that God in His mercy will grant us His richest blessing according to our several wants-we wish you a Happy New Year. PAY AS YOU GO. A word of good counsel We ne'er should forget, 'Tis folly to listen To those who assert Does good and not hurt ; A man to be honest, As merchant or friend, Must be willing to spend. He loses the sweetness No loss like the losing That comes of delay The grave of the dead? A word of good counsel We ne'er should forget; |