Notes on the Work and Passing Year
By Editor
The change of the name of the General Tract and Missionary Society to "The International Tract and Missionary Society," is an indication of the rapid spread of the work. It is a very appropriate name, for a message that is world-wide. THE National Liberator, of Chicago, and the Lever, of Detroit, have been consolidated. Both papers have done good work in the temperance cause, and have done much to mould public sentiment. We trust that the change will be for the better, and that the Lever will now have more than a double portion of influence for good. WE hear on all sides the exclamations, "How quickly the year has passed away!" "It seems only a few months since the last year began." Time does fly swiftly. The psalmist described the case exactly when he said, "We spend our years as a tale that is told." And the most solemn thought of all is that we have only a very few more to spend on this earth. How will we improve them? Whoever intends to do anything must do it now. WE notice with pleasure that several churches in the East have reversed the usual order of Christmas exercises. Instead of receiving presents, the members make donations to the church. The children, it is stated, not only volunteered to go without their usual presents, but freely gave of their own savings. We know from experience that this plan is much superior to the old way. The children are better pleased, as there is no chance for envious feelings, and they learn the truth of the words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."