p. 27 | The New Year by C. R. Austin

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 7, 1873

The New Year.

By C. R. Austin

Time, with hasty steps, is passing onward, and 1873, with its unwritten leaves, is upon us. As we take a retrospect over the past year, how does the record stand with us, who profess to be walking in the light of present truth? Have there been as many victories gained, as much of the warfare accomplished, and as much advance toward the heavenly kingdom as will have to be made in any one year before Jesus comes (should we live till then) to fit us to stand with that spotless band who shall enter through the gates into the city of God?

Do we realize how brittle is the thread of life? and how many of God’s faithful ones have laid down the armor, and sleep to-day, that one year ago were actively battling for eternal life? Twice in the past year, has our little circle been reminded of this, as we have seen sisters Alida Kellogg and Sarah Haselton fall beneath death’s fatal blow. And should the light of life go out suddenly with us, should we be found so faithfully patterning after the divine copy, that Jesus would say of us, They are mine, and none shall ever pluck them out of my hand.

Arouse thee, O my soul, to the solemnities of the Judgment hour through which we are so rapidly passing, and forget not that for the past fifteen years the loving voice of the faithful and True Witness has been counseling thee to be zealous and reform.

Press on, and let every closing year witness more zeal in the work of reformation. The golden city is almost in sight, and we are too near the blest prize to allow one careless act, or permit the thought to arise, It matters not to be so particular in everything, on what day we lay aside our work and devote the hours to God as his own hallowed time, or what apparel we put on, or with what food we nourish or clog these bodies, which should be fitted for temples of the Spirit of God.

Soon the pearly gates will open, and who shall enter through them? A company that will be without fault before the throne of God, having no guile in their mouth.

How pure that heart must be that shall send no word forth, only what shall administer grace to the hearer; and such a heart we must possess before Jesus will confess our names in the presence of his Father and the holy angels. Is it safe to try to compromise any point of truth in the reformation that God is calling his people to, that shall separate them entirely from conformity to the world.

Had we not better strive to obtain the meek and quiet spirit of Jesus, and listen for every word of counsel he has for us, and watch closely that we walk in them.

My heart is filled with gratitude as I see the measures that are taken to spread the light of truth.

May God send his Spirit with the silent messengers, and speed them on their way to every nook and corner of our world where he has a child that loves his word and truth, and needs to be enlightened, that they may so walk in the light as to be sanctified through obedience of the truth, and made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light.

C. R. AUSTIN.

Berkshire, Vt.