THE EDITOR'S NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS. EAR YOUNG FRIENDS,-Once again, through the tender mercy of the Lord, the Editor is favoured to offer you his annual salutation, desiring that this may prove "A Happy New Year to you each-yea, may a blessing beyond all that earth can yield rest upon you, even the blessing of eternal life, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ the Lord. To live only for this world is to fall short of true success and enduring happiness; while those who are brought to seek and enjoy the favour of the Lord, possess a secret which sweetens labour and care, and ensures success in all which is for their good; and it, at the same time, also gives promise of the life to come. "I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest," was a promise that made glad the heart of Jacob, and proved to be of more value to him than all the world beside, for who I could have done for him what God did? He blessed him in his basket and in his store, and did him good to the end of his days, as He promised, saying, "I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of;" and, in his last hours, Jacob could speak of his heavenly Friend as the God which had fed him all his life long ;" and as the Angel which had redeemed him from all evil" (Gen. xlviii. 15, 16). Reader, may this God be thine, and may Jacob's portion be thy lot for time and eternity. How blessed are those who have sought and found the pardon of sin, through faith in Jesus' name and blood! And those who are seeking Him, but whose hearts are now filled with fear and sorrow, because of the greatness and the number of their sins, they also have His Word on their side, for He has said, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out; " therefore both alike are loved of Him, and He will ever be their Friend. Still hang upon Him, dear seeking ones, crying, "None but Jesus! none but Jesus!" We also pray that the Lord may bless the GLEANER and the SOWER to the quickening of some who are now dead in sin, and that they, during the year, may, by the Holy Spirit, be led as true penitents to Calvary, to cast themselves, as guilty, weak, and helpless sinners, on the merciful arms of Him "whose blood cleanses from all sin," and who "is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him." Dear readers, we hope that those of you who do pray, will try and remember us before the throne of grace, and ask God to bless our labours for the good of others. We hope to pray for you, and still to seek your present and eternal welfare. May we not also ask you each to help us by spreading the Magazines, and trying to obtain fresh subscribers? Remember the SOWER. It is well suited to give to those who, though young in years, are seeking for mercy, and also to those who have hitherto lived careless about their souls; and we hope that it will soon become as great a favourite among the young as the GLEANER now is. We shall do all we can to make it so. Now, dear young friends, remember your duties to your parents, friends, masters, and others; and, in whatever station you are placed, seek to fill it with credit; and may the God of all grace bless you with His divine mercy, is the prayer of THE EDITOR. EVEN infidels admit the good influence of religion. Voltaire said, "I would not be the subject of a sovereign who does not believe in God; for, if he liked, he could have me hung, and his conscience would not reproach him." |