The New Year by J. W. CHRISTIAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 25, 1912

The New Year

By J. W. CHRISTIAN

J. W. CHRISTIAN

A NEW year is before us. With its beginning all, doubtless, have entered into a covenant with the Lord and with their own souls to rise to a high plane of personal experience and integrity in the service of the Lord. Surely nothing could be more commendable in the new year's vows. In our individual lives we need it, the cause of God demands it, the millions of human souls lying in heathen darkness appeal to us in loudest tones for such a consecration, that they may hear the gospel sound ere life's sun shall set, that they may be saved from a Christless grave.

There needs to come into our individual lives, our homes, our churches, our institutions, a new spirit of light and power in our ministry for the souls about us. For this we should pray most earnestly, watching unto prayer. There is great danger that the standard which has made us a “peculiar people” will be lowered, and the world encroach to leaven the lump of our Christianity—to compromise with the world in the inexcusable methods and modes of dress, pleasures, and conversation. Our schools and sanitariums—institutions of training for our youth for missionary endeavor—should be after the order of the schools of the prophets. A power should be with us in these training-centers that even the Sauls who may come to us shall be made to “prophesy.” All our prayers and outward demonstrations will not avail to bring this about if we do not bring all our natural desires for worldliness in all its forms into subjection, and our lives into harmony with the revealed will of Him who prayed, not that we should be taken out of the world, but be kept “from the evil” that is in the world. Worldliness, though christened by adopting it into our churches or institutions, is worldliness still, and God frowns upon it, and his displeasure rests upon those who permit it. When worldlings see consistency in the lives of God's professed people, they will be drawn to the truth, through the beauty and harmony of the life and the profession.

Could our vision be cleared of the mists formed by the effort to blend the things of the world and true Christianity, could we have a true glimpse of the conditions of our fellow men, not only in foreign lands, but in the home land, we should be startled into a life of earnest devotion and complete consecration in behalf of precious souls for whom Jesus died. Could we see the look of helplessness and utter despair written on the faces of the thousands sinking into the grave without Christ or hope of eternal life, would not our hard hearts melt in tenderness and sympathy, and our otherwise dry eyes moisten with the tear of holy emotion, and our hands quickly be reached out in loving service through self-denial and earnest efforts for their salvation?

We may not all be able to go to the scene of battle, but we can all have a part. In time of war they who till the soil or turn the wheels in our factories that others may be fed, clothed, and sheltered, are just as truly enlisted in the cause as are those carrying the gun in the battles. Each depends upon the other for success. Some of us will never personally carry the sword of the Spirit—the word of God—to the millions of China, India, or Africa, but we can all help till the soil or work the wheels that will make it possible for others to go.

“The Lord desires his people to be thoughtful and caretaking. He desires them to practise economy in everything. If the workers in the mission fields could have the means that is used in expensive furnishings and in personal adornment, the triumphs of the cross of Christ would be greatly extended.

“Not all can make large offerings, not all can do great works, magnificent deeds; but all can practise self-denial, all can reveal the unselfishness of the Saviour. Some can bring large gifts to the Lord's treasury; others can bring only mites; but every gift brought in sincerity is accepted by the Lord.

“We plead for the money that is spent on needless things. My brethren and sisters, waste not your money in purchasing unnecessary things. You may think these little sums do not amount to much, but many littles will make a great whole. Cut off every extravagant expenditure. Indulge in nothing that is simply for display. Your money means the salvation of souls.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, pages 54, 55.

Shall we not, then, through self-denial and earnest devotion make the year 1912 count in our own personal experience and in behalf of God's great movement,—the third angel's message,—that his blessing and approbation may be ours?