The Close of Vol. 37.
Zion's Advocate, December 1898, Vol. 37, No. 12
With this number closes the thirty-seventh volume of Zion's Advocate, and with this month closes the year 1898. In 1853 Elder John Clark, who was highly esteemed for his work's sake, conceived the idea, and announced his intention, of entering upon the laborious and responsible task of editing this paper. But few are now living who subscribed for it at that time. As the months and years have wafted by, many changes have come about, and many, many subscribers to Zion's Advocate, with its respected and beloved founder, have fallen asleep in Jesus. Indeed many who entered this year at its beginning have not lived to see its close. This thought, no doubt, revives the pang of sorrow in the hearts of many readers, as dear forms that have passed away within the lapse of these twelve months are called to mind, while it reminds us all that the closing scene of this life is fast approaching.When we located here six months ago, and entered upon the editorial work, our mind was disturbed by many conflicting thoughts. We sought for an answer to such questions as these: What has been the actuating cause of this step? Has the Lord required this? Will this prove a blessing to the cause of Zion? As such interrogatories arose in our mind, various and conflicting answers presented themselves, so that we were not able to decide in a way altogether agreeable to us. Like our call to the ministry if we have any, we must say that our mind is often in doubt in regard to these things. One thing is certain, however, our desire has been to glorify and honor the blessed name of our divine Master, and comfort and encourage his afflicted people. For ability to do this we have most earnestly prayed. Dear brethren and sisters, we surely know we love you, though we feel so very unworthy of your love and confidence. How sweet and strong is the tie of affection that God has implanted in our hearts! It is the permanent cement with which God's building is held together. We are sure that our service is useless unless it springs from disinterested affection for God and his people. We have great reasons for loving God. When but a mere boy, in the barren wilderness of sin, he graciously found us. As we sank in despair under the burden of guilt he revealed a precious Saviour who was able to save - just such a one as a lost sinner needs. With joy inexpressible we chanted the praise of our Maker.
Jesus all the day long
Was my joy and my song,
O that more his salvation might see!
He hath loved me, I cried,
He hath suffered and died,
To redeem such a rebel as me.
We know we were happy then. We fully believed that all our sins were forgiven through the shedding of Christ's blood. Since then how rich and numerous are the blessings we have received! In the warfare we have often fallen, and would have been entirely cast down but for the merciful hand of the Lord. We have been so forgetful of his blessings, and have lived so undeserving of them, that it is a wonder of wonders that his mercy has not been withdrawn and his blessings withheld. As it is, we stand as a monument of his mercy and a living witness of his goodness. For over twenty-seven years we have had a standing in the church, which is called the "pillar and ground of the truth" because it is appointed to maintain, hold forth, and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, in a dark and sin-stained world. How kind, and gentle, and forbearing, and loving, the dear membership of that church has been to us!
In the new field of lavor that we have lately entered we do desire to bend all our energies to the service of the Lord's people. It is but little, but all we are belongs to him. Let us rally together under the standard of truth and banner of love, and cast our care upon him, and pray for wisdom to know his will and strength to do it.
Thus might I hide my blushing face,
When his dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes in tears.
But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do.
The last moment of the year will soon be here, and the record of our lives for another twelve months will have been written to stand with the events of the past, never to be recalled or altered by us. So, also, will our lives soon be as a "tale that is told."
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." - I. Corinthians xvi. 13.
J. R. D.
Copyright c. 2005. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
