Retrospective and Prospective Thoughts.
Zion's Advocate, Vol. 41, No. 1, January 1902.
The old year the year we called new twelve months ago has passed from us forever. Thousands entered upon it that did not see it close. To us who now live, its flight has seemed so rapid! We are thus reminded that "Life is but a winter's day, a journey to the tomb." Many have passed through sorrow's great deep, while few, if any, have escaped the billows of trouble. How many homes have been darkened, how many hearts have been wrung with anguish, within the past year! The mistakes we have made have been many and great, for it is as true now as it was in the days of Solomon, that there is not a just man on earth that liveth and sinneth not. This is not recorded to furnish us an excuse for our sins, but is a statement of universal truth given to teach that none can attain perfection here.In view of the fact that time is thus winging us away, that waves of trouble fill our souls with inexpressible distress, that we are sinful mortals, how can our hearts be uplifted with pride? How astonishing it is that the spirit of mortals is ever really proud! It would show great ingratitude to God for his bountiful blessings if we did not remember his goodness to us. He has constantly preserved our lives and furnished us with all needful supplies of temporal and spiritual blessings. Even the strokes of the rod have been applied in love and mercy from a kind Father's hand. Bless his holy name! Let us bow in sweet submission to him, for he has been our help in every time of need.
What this year has in store for us we know not, and we do not need to know. Let us set up our "Ebenezer" and say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." They who believe in him shall never be confounded. Rains and floods and storms may come, but in Jesus we have a sure protection. He being our Shepherd, we shall not want. In him we "have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." It would be well for us to consider the failures we have made to do our duty, and strive to consecrate our selves more fully and faithfully to his service. If we have neglected to attend the things required of us, let us live more faithful to the cause we have espoused and fill our place in the Lord's house.
The index of Volume 40 of Zion's Advocate, in the December No., shows the variety of reading matter given to our readers in the last year. We have tried to send forth a magazine that will prove a blessing to the precious cause of Christ. Now we start upon another volume with the Advocate enlarged and improved, and our aim and prayerful desire is to pursue the course marked out in the past. Pray for us, dear readers, that grace may be given to strengthen us for this laborious task.
J. R. D.
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