THE CLOSING YEAR.
Another year is about to close upon the living—the dead are gone. Time flies—eternity is near our doors.—Good or bad—well or ill—it cannot be recalled, by man. That personage who decreed the bounds for the waters, and gave order to the elements, has measured its space, and ordained its duration; and man, though he supposes himself to be of importance, and that by his nod a jog could be effected in the grand eternal purposes of the Lord, is but grass, and his glory like the fading flower. Never, while looking upon those scenes which have transpired since the commencement of the present year, did we realize the force of those emphatic words, delivered by inspiration, "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?" more than at the present. Thousands have come, and thousands have gone, and yet the world exists, and time continues in its same uninterrupted course. But the earth is filling up its measure; the inhabitants dwelling upon its surface are fast being brought to that august period when it will "reel to and fro like a drunken man," and those scenes, spoken of by the holy prophets, are just ready to burst upon an astonished world!—This is not vain speculation, nor idle fancy. That system which contends that it has always existed; that it never had beginning, and that it will endure, without end, is feeble in its structure, and wanting in its foundation.
While retrospecting our labors during the present year, we see where, in many instances, we might have improved; but the time has gone by for amendments, and we can only profit, by the past and endeavor to reform from experience, that our labors may be more useful, and our talent, though but small, be occupied in the manner which will most benefit our fellow men, and promote the interests of the Redeemer's cause—this is our only desire.
To our patrons we owe many apologies and acknowledge that liberal encouragement, the reflection of which, is a sweet consolation. In looking over our "Mail Book," we see an increase of names, sent us from different sections of our country, showing in what estimation those feeble exertions to vindicate the truth have been held. It is not, we are sensible, because of superior talent, that our publication has taken this astonishing spread; but the force of truth which it has invariably carried, has given it a buoyancy, notwithstanding the exertions of bigots to hinder its circulation!
The world is filled with men, all eager to obtain honor, fame, riches, power, or salvation—the last, the least.—However pleasing it may be to the saint to witness the spread of the gospel, yet we have no reflections to cast upon those who have been employed in hindering, or endeavoring to, the introduction of those principles held sacred by us, among men. The craft of Demetrius and others, in the days of Paul, was in danger, if the gospel prevailed with the popular class; consequently, an effort must be made to hinder its further advance; and in what manner could he [Demetrius] more effectually accomplish his purpose, than to cry, in the ears of the multitude, that Diana, with all her magnificence was in danger of being despised?
This was sufficient to raise an alarm, and cause the city of Ephesus to cry, for two hours, of the greatness of their goddess. We do not learn that Paul, or the church, murmured; and as the craft of every man is equally dear to himself, we shall only pass on, and endeavor to enlighten the world so far as we have influence and opportunity to spread the truth, and leave the result with God. To be sure, many leading papers of the sects are lying in our office, with much scurrility, and defamation, to which we may have occasion to recur at a future day, if so disposed. But, as there is no material difference between the goddess of the Ephesians, and the one, or ones, worshipped by thousands now, we are persuaded to believe that they all are worthy the same notice—silence.