CLOSE OF THE VOLUME by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 17, 1859

CLOSE OF THE VOLUME.

By Editor

THIS week closes the fourteenth volume of the REVIEW. Fourteen volumes! Probably the friends of this little sheet who saw its first entrance upon its humble mission, were not looking for time to continue till it should reach half this number. Yet the Lord is not slack concerning his promises; it is only his long-suffering, his unwillingness that any should perish, that leads him to extend the time of earth's probation, another and yet another year.

In taking a retrospect of this work, we see nothing discouraging. What can be discouraging in a cause which is the Lord's? Think of the agencies at work in its promulgation! These may indeed appear limited and insignificant to the world. The dull vision of carnal eyes has no power to penetrate beyond the contracted limits of feeble sense. It is only to the eye of faith that the cause of truth appears in its heavenly beauty, and its unseen but irresistible strength. God has a work to accomplish in the earth; and that cause to which he imparts the energy of his Holy Spirit, and of his angels which excel in power, who shall hinder?

It is no marvel if as individuals or as a church we are not always on the mountain top; for there are valleys as well as hills in our earthly pilgrimage; and to pass through these is no sign of retrogression. If we only march straight forward, and emerge from the valley on the right side, we shall find the ascent will lead us to a higher eminence than we have ever attained before.

The side of the distant mountain looks like a smooth and even ascent. We approach and find it broken and rugged; and as we wend our way up its weary sides, we find ourselves shut in by many a ravine from all the surrounding prospect. But the next ascent brings us to a higher eminence, gives us a wider range of vision; and we behold a broader landscape spread out beneath our feet. So it is with us in the path of truth: each succeeding eminence we gain is higher than the last; it gives us a clearer view of our position; and so after all, despite the roughness of the way, we find our path, as we are assured concerning the path of the just, growing brighter and brighter; and our hope is quickened in anticipation of the "perfect day."

From the commencement to the present time, the work has been steadily onward, the light of truth has been steadily increasing, and our position becoming more and more accurately defined. In these respects we occupy to-day, a position in advance of any previous time in our history. No, there is nothing discouraging in the work of the Lord. If he occasionally sifts his people, it is that he may keep them pure; for, as a brother lately remarked, "the power of the church stands in its purity, not in its numbers."

The signs of the times are still bearing their solemn testimony to the age of the world in which we are living. Trouble and perplexity hold revel on every hand. In Europe the peace so unexpectedly and unfairly concluded, bids fair to be of short continuance. War is inseparable from their future prospects; and all things seem preparing for another of those throes which mark the approach of the nations to their great destruction.

The political horizon of our own country is also increasingly stormy. The late affair at Harper's Ferry—the abortive attempt at insurrection by Capt. Brown—has rolled a wave of perturbation over the whole heart of the South. It was in itself a comparatively small matter; but it was to them like a spark in a powder-mill. At the thoughts of what it might portend, they stood aghast. The spark was quenched before it had kindled to an explosion; but who shall tell what we may next expect? or who, save the student of prophecy and the child of God, may know for what to prepare?

For the many kind words of sympathy and encouragement received, we return our thanks to our numerous friends. With some, during the past volume, we have parted company; with more we have formed new acquaintances; and we hope during the coming volume, to form connections with a still larger number, as, hungering for the word of life, they rally around the standard of truth.