The Year 1893 in Review
By Editor
ANOTHER year, with all its failures, fears, hopes, triumphs, and joys is in the past. Many, as individuals, will look back upon it with regret, and who will not? Blinded indeed must he be who cannot see that he has come short of the copy, the life of Christ Jesus. With many it has been a year of sin and sinful pursuing, with only occasional desires to do better. Are they willing the future should be the same? With others it has been a year of vain striving of human strength against the bonds of sin, and the way is marked with the wrecks of broken resolutions and the débris of high purposes. Are they willing to continue the unequal struggle? With others it has been a year of victories. Self has been crucified, sin renounced, and Christ and his righteousness chosen. The old life has given place to the new life in Christ Jesus. Let them rejoice, and as they have received Christ, so walk in him in the year to come. The year 1893 has been one of great moment in the world, politically, religiously, socially, spiritually. The great nations yet tremble and fear for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. Social and financial troubles have convulsed the kingdoms. Revolution is rife. Anarchy is sleepless and growing. Labor troubles, or the lack of labor, is threatening some of our greatest cities. The great Parliament of Religions has been held. Popular "Christianity" has compromised with Baal. It has done worse than this; it formed union with the powers of earth in this country in 1892, and 1893 finds it deeper in degradation and glorying in its shame. The governments of earth are yielding to the church, and all signs betoken the near culmination of the fearful apostasy foretold in Holy Writ, and the soon coming of the dread day of God. But over all these dark clouds, and through the occasional breaks, shines the wonderful love of God. He has not forsaken the world. All day long he stretches out his merciful, mighty hands in warning, reproof, admonition, and invitation. He calls not to nations now but to individual souls. He comes to the door of each heart; he knocks at its portal; he asks entrance. The mightiest tide of evil and woe and wickedness cannot bear130down the weakest soul which trusts his strength. The sorest distress and persecution cannot take from the joy of him who maintains his personal connection with the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are of good cheer. God's work is onward. His message was never moving so rapidly. Half-hearted souls now and then fall out by the way, but the ranks close; the cheering words of the Captain, who is love, inspires every loyal heart, and the column marches on to renewed victory. We are sad that men turn from Christ and his truth; we rejoice that he saves all who yield to him. Only in knowing him is true happiness found; for "thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord." In this knowledge of God we wish all our readers a Happy New Year.