Keep Close to the Lamp
By Editor
MANY thanks to friends who have given us words of sympathy and encouragement, and who have also contributed to the interest of the columns of the REVIEW during the volume that is closed. We bespeak their earnest efforts for the next. While the torch of truth is blazing as never before upon our pathway, let us prove ourselves equal to every opportunity; let us be up with every privilege; or, in other words, as every privilege has its duty, let us do every duty. Success can but attend sincere and earnest efforts put forth in the direction of divine truth. Let us adhere closely to present truth; inquiring what truth, and what duty particularly concerns us now. Speculations concerning the future are but of secondary importance. The sure word of prophecy is compared to a lamp in a dark place. But a lamp does not at once light a person from the beginning to the end of his journey; it sheds its light about him where he is, as much as is necessary, and as he advances the way is gradually lighted up before him. So with the prophetic word; and he who would, to the neglect of the light that shines more immediately upon him, direct his gaze all absorbingly upon events to come, will doubtless err in his calculations of the future and stumble over the duties of the present. Let us keep close to the lamp. Those who get far ahead of it are as sure to get into the dark as those who fall behind it. Let us endeavor to advance as that advances; no faster and no slower. We trust that the REVIEW will, for the future, through the co-operation of all its friends, be a paper full of interest, and of sterling value to every one who is striving in meekness and humility, to know and walk in the way to eternal life; such an one as every one will love who loves truth and a bold and unflinching advocacy of everything that is pure and right, opposed to sin, and allied to holiness of heart; and such as those only will hate, who hate truth and its accompanying graces. May we count upon your efforts, reader, to attain this end? Happy will it be for those of whom it can be said in the final reckoning, They have done what they could.