English Dictionary

And there is one night in the year I have always observed – the good old Methodist vigil called Watch-night, popularly described as seeing the old year out and the new year in. […] I have only been a Methodist once a year; and peculiar, accordingly, have my watch-night emotions been. There stands the old portico in —— street; can it be a year since I ascended those steps? These are the aisles, the columns, the pulpit, the recess with its inscriptions, the Christmas evergreens yet fresh over the Communion Table – silent preachers all, that seem to say: You and I are a year older, friend; but we have seen more watch-nights than you, and are likely to see more yet;[…][]