LIKE the man on the look-out of a steamer which is passing through a thick fog, we cannot see far ahead, and yet we anxiously peer into the mist. The New Year is upon us, and we would fain look into it if we could. It will be our wisdom to exercise all our strength in the line of faith, since in the direction of sight we can do so little. If this New Year shall be full of unbelief, it will be sure to be dark and dreary. If we believe our God as he deserves to be believed, our way will run along the still waters, and our rest will be in green pastures. Trusting in the Lord, we shall be prepared for trials, and shall even welcome them as black ships laden with bright treasures. Relying upon the faithful promise, we shall be on the watch for the expected blessing, and walk the sea-beach of confidence, casting wistful glances over the waters of time for the swift ships which bring the favors of the Eternal. Calm dependence upon our God will make us strong for labor and willing for waiting, submissive to suffering and superior to circumstances. Our gracious Father deserves from us such boundless trust as dear children, untainted by the world's falsehood, place in a tender, loving father. We have never yet trusted him to the utmost, to the nth, as a mathematician would say; up to the hilt, as a soldier might put it. Let God be true, and every man a liar; yea, let every circumstance, reasoning, or testimony of the senses be a falsehood in comparison with him. We may be deceived by eyes and ears, by calculation and argument, but never by the Lord. Let us, then, believe without effort, as the necessary mood of a regenerate heart, believe now, believe ever, believe without question; then will our pathway be brightness itself, and our life will rise above the common weary level. Our happiness or misery for 1886 turns upon the question, Believest thou this—this present, needful truth, for the hour which is now upon thee? Shall we be as waves driven of the sea and tossed about, or will we be as rocks defying the storm, and bathing their summits in the eternal sunlight of Infinite love? Is there any necessity which binds us to be unbelieving, and therefore unhappy? Did not Enoch walk with God for centuries? Shall not we achieve this lofty deed for one single year? We think we hear our divine Lord saying, "All things are possible to him that believeth." Why should we doubt without reason? And if we never doubt our God until he gives us cause, the high, triumphant walk of faith may continue till all years have melted into eternity. Let us take, as our example of faith this year, the man of whom it is written, "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God."—Sel.