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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 21, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 6

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NEW YEARS.

By L. D. SANTEE

It may perhaps interest some to know how the church in this place spent New Years. It was determined to provide a basket dinner and recreation for the church and Sabbath-school scholars. Some wondered what could be done for amusement, as we do not believe in the popular amusements of the day. New Years came at last and all the children were on the qui vive, expecting a good time. The little folks began to gather in good season. The cold gave a rosy glow to their cheeks, and they formed a pleasing picture as they gathered around the fire. They amused themselves in various ways until dinner. One of the Sabbath-school scholars read the 150th Psalm, after which the children gathered around a large table spread with an abundance of healthful food, the older ones being served afterward. Dinner over, another short Psalm was read, when nearly all adjourned to a wide lane and engaged in simple and athletic games calculated to give tone and vigor to the system. It was pleasant to see those that had long been engaged in the struggle with the world, cast aside their sterner cares and become for a little while children.
After playing a suitable length of time, all returned to the house, where Bro. J. M. Santee addressed us for a short time on the debt of gratitude that we owe to our Creator and Preserver, and on the duty of children to their parents.
The company then dispersed well pleased with the day's entertainment. Some were with us who were not professors. They enjoyed the occasion much. May they be wise and seek by obedience for immortality and pleasures that shall last forever.
New Years eve we attended a prayer-meeting at Bro. Sock's. It was a solemn time. We all vowed to be more faithful in the year to come. May the Lord help us to pay our vows. Just one year ago we attended a prayer-meeting at the same place. Dear friends then met with us that are now separated from us. May they with us be sanctified through the truth, and bid a long farewell to mortality when Jesus comes. Will another New Year's dawn find us upon the earth? Shall we still be probationers? May the Lord help us to be patient, to stablish our hearts in every good word and work.
L. D. SANTEE.
Gridley, Ill.