p. 502 | A DEAR OLD FRIEND by H. A. St. John

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 6, 1901

A DEAR OLD FRIEND.

By H. A. St. John

ELDER H. A. ST. JOHN.

It is the REVIEW AND HERALD of which we speak. About forty-four years ago I was first introduced to this excellent periodical. It was at that time that the REVIEW began its weekly visits to my father's house in Ohio, where it was ever received with gladness, and perused with eagerness. During all the long years from that distant day, and home, till the present, it has never failed to make its regular visits, always laden with messages of light, life, love, truth, and courage.

Since those early years when this valuable paper came to the home of my youth, a loved and loving father and mother, a sister, and a brother have fallen asleep; and its pages, which had so often brought them hope and good cheer; at last bore the final sad testimony, “Departed this life.” And in these forty-four years how very many of the REVIEW’s cherished readers have finished their course; and eternity alone can tell how much it aided them in overcoming, before it recorded their obituaries.

But the dear old REVIEW still lives. We call it old, only with reference to its years. For in very truth it is larger, stronger, and more vigorous now than ever before. Its sphere of usefulness has greatly broadened with every passing year, and still continues to broaden. Its bright, clear, ringing testimony is in evidence that with rolling years its youth is constantly renewed. May it continue to grow younger and stronger, disseminating light and truth, hope and courage, joy and blessing, to all the soldiers of Christ in the remnant of the Church militant until their last conflict with the powers of darkness shall terminate in a final and eternal victory, and all the publishers, editors, writers, and readers of the dear old REVIEW be gathered together in the glorious land of immortal rest.