How to Make the New Year Happy
By Editor
WE enter, as mortals reckon time, upon the beginning of a new year. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES extends hearty greetings to all subscribers, readers, and friends, and wishes them a truly HAPPY NEW YEAR. May it not also suggest some of the things by which the year may be made happy? 1. We will never find happiness by seeking for it. It will prove as elusive as a will-o’-the-wisp. It is never caught by pursuing; it comes when we forget its pursuit, when we are seeking that which is good. 2. The only source of lasting happiness is God. Amid all the turmoil of the universe in the great heart of our Father is everlasting repose and supremest happiness. This is so because “God is love,” and love takes delight in ministering to others’ good. All good things come from God; and Infinite Love is happy in bestowing His good gifts. 3. If we seek and find harmony with Him, we shall find happiness in the harmony. We may all find this by yielding to His holy will. If we have been living in rebellion and disobedience, He asks but one thing,—willing and complete surrender to His holy will. In harmony with God will we find happiness. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isa. 26: 3, 4. 4. We shall retain this happiness by doing the Lord’s works, or in letting God work out the same works in us that He did in Jesus. We will forget ourselves in ministering to others; for in self-forgetfulness is happiness. We will seek to help more fully grandfather and grandmother, father and mother, husband and wife, son and daughter, brother and sister, grandson and granddaughter; and from the home center our hearts will go out to the aged, the poor, the needy, the heart-hungry, the sick, and the perishing to the great world’s end. Laboring thus the fire of our happiness will never burn low. With the psalmist may we say:— “He hath put a new song in my mouth,
Even praise unto our God;
Many shall see it, and fear,
And shall trust in the Lord.” Our blessed Lord has revealed the channels through which happiness comes, in the beatitudes; for the word “blessed” means happy. “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled. “Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.” “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” And, even more, happiness in being persecuted for righteousness’ sake; sometimes “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” Thus yielding and laboring and ministering to others, 1898 will truly be a growing year of happiness. God grant that it may be to each and all.