p. 37 | Untitled article by J. M. A.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 2, 1866

1866.

By J. M. A.

TIME, on its swift wing, has numbered another year among the things that are past. The record of 1865 is now completed. As a faithful witness, this record will now stand, to testify either for us, or against us. The testimony it will hear, we cannot now change if we would. It is too late.

How is it with you, my brother, my sister? Have you left a clean, pure, and spotless record for 1865? Happy, indeed, is your lot if such is the case. With bold hand and unfaltering nerve, you may begin to write upon the new page of 1866. With bright prospects, and in joyful anticipation, you may await the developments of the new-born year.

Or, is the record which you have now just completed, all dark, blotted, and besmeared with the corruptions of the world? Does it tell of unfaithfulness, indifference, and habitual neglect of duty? Does it often speak of pride, selfishness, and love of the world?

then, truly, your case is not so cheering. The new year does not open to you with prospects so bright.

But dear brother, dear sister, with the new and clean page of 1866 before you, you may still be hopeful. At the commencement of the new year you may resolve, that in the strength of God, you will yet make a record that will bear a rich testimony in your favor. The blots upon your past record may serve to forewarn you with reference to the one you are now to make.

Doubtless the year 1866 will be a period of marked interest to God's people.

“We are living, we are dwelling In a grand and awful time.”

Adventists are not the only persons that recognize this fact. Thinking men of all classes seem to be deeply impressed with the spirit of impending events. The public pulse beats in harmony with the sublime truth that the end of all things is at hand. The world's under-current, so to speak, indicates clearly enough, the boiling sea over which we are drifting. Surely, with the unerring chart of prophecy before us, in the midst of all that is transpiring about us, we may rest assured that “the great day of the Lord is at hand.”

Brethren, let us awake. Let us firmly resolve, at the commencement of this new year, to make a clean record for 1866. Let us resolve that we will daily try to overcome some fault, and make some advancement in the divine life. Three hundred and sixty-five such earnest efforts would make a good show for 1866. Let us resolve again, that we will spend at least one hour in each week in trying to do some substantial good to others,—in trying to point out the way of truth and life to our friends and neighbors. Fifty-two hours, thus earnestly and prayerfully spent in our Master's service, would tell well upon the record we now propose to make. Finally, brethren, let us make the most and best of A. D. 1866.

J. M. A.