The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-01-04
New Years Greeting to the Sunday
School Workers of Maryland.

| MY DEAR FELLOW WORRIES 1t has pleased oul
Divine Father to spare our lives to see the dawn
of another year. This of itself is great blessing
for which we should feel devoutly thankful. 1t is
benediction to be permitted to live and labor in
his cause at this time, when the years of the
century are waning, and this very fact imposes
upon US special responsibility. 1t is call tC
such conservation of our powers, such diligence
in the performance of duty, such a spirit of sacri
fice such faith i'll God such heroic graphing with
the problems and issues that confront us, that
when the bells of earth ring in the twentieth
century their melody may reverberate through
heaven, thrilling every angel with the joyous
news that the church had lifted higher than ever
before the cross of the Redeemer an that millions
were clustering beneath it.
Only six years before the close of the present
century, yet wonderful things can be accom-
| plished for the glory of God and the good of
humanity. In that brief period Maryland can be
won for Christ and she can begin the history of
another century redeemed from every organized
evil however firmly entrenched but this must be
wrought by the might of God through quick
ened church.
1t seems to me that God is seeking to awaken
and arouse his people to action. The very air is
heavy with the breathings of the Spirit. The
providences of God, though now so much deplor-
ed, we will find to have been merciful agencies to
impel us to lift our eyes from the dust and to
crumbe the walls which selfshness and pride
have built between the rich and the poor. The
oneness of the human race, the brotherhood of
man and the great loving fatherhood of God, are
emphasized by pulpit and press, and recognized
as never before by all as relations essential to the
happiness and elevation of mankind The
churches getting closer together in the matter
of faith and in the spirit of fellowship and CO.
operation; the scriptures are read and studied
more generally than ever by the masses, and
there is almost universal recognition of the fact
that all POLITICAL social and business problems
must be solved on the basis of gospel truth. These
facts together with the multiplication ofreligious
agencies portend great opportunities,
The Maryland Sunday School Union feels the
thrill of new responsibility, and, believing we
have entered upon the fnlfiillment of the proph-
ecy, "And little child shall lead them we are
determined to bend every effort for the advance
ment OF the religious education and training of
the children Of our state, We are resolved that
this shall he an exceptional year in our work.
Going forth in His name we do not believe He
will disappoint us in the bestowal of grace and
for the accomplishment of our plans. We begin
the year with additional working force, and hope
to extend operations into all parts of city and
state.
I am greatly encouraged by the work of 1894
which has been far-reaching in Its effects 1 am
also gratifed at the indication of the growing
usefulness and popularity of our institution, and
that the work of 1895 may be the greatest in the
Unions history ask the prayers and cooperation
of both clergy and laity.
congratulate you on the successful work you
are doing as feeders of Christs lambs, and pray
that Gods blessing may be with you during the
present year, and that His spirit may impel you
to grasp the opportunity He is giving us in these
closing years of the nineteenth GENTRY.
Fraternally,
G. s. GRIFFITH,
Pres, Maryland S. s. Union.