Democratic messenger., 1895-01-05
New Years Greeting tO the
sunday school Workers
OF Maryland.
Ny DEAE FELLOW WORKERS


10 spare our lives 10 see the dawn uf
another year This Of itself j. n great
blessing for which we should feel de-
voutly thankful. Ii i benediction
to he 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 n special
responsibility. Il i call 10 such 4
conservation Of our powers. such dili-
gence in the performance of duty.
such a spirit of sacrifice. such faith in
God such heroic graphing with the
problems and issues that confront a..
that when the bells of earth ring in
the twentieth century their melody
may reverberale through heaven.
thrilling every angel with the joyous
news that the church had lifted higher
than ever before the cross OF the Re-
deemer and that millions were clus-
tering beneath il.
Only six years before the close Of
the present century vet wonderful
things can be accomplished for the
glory of God and the good Of humani.
ty. In that brief period Maryland
can be won tor Christ and she can be-
gin the history Of another century re.
deemed from every organized evil,
however firmly entrenched but thi.
must be wrought by the might Of God
through quizkened church.
Ii seems to me that God is seeking
to awaken and arouse his people tc
action. The very air is heavy with
the breathings Of the Spirit. The
providences of God. though now sc
much depiored, we will find to have
been merciful agencies to impel Us tc
lift our eyes from the dust. aud tc
crumble the walls which seliishnes:
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 rs relations essential to the
happiness and elevation of mankind
The churches are getting closer to
gether III the matter q: faith. and in
the spirit OF fellowship and co-opera
ton; the scriptures are read and
studied more generally than ever by
the masses. and there i almost univer
sal recognition OF the fact that all
political, social and business problem.
must he solved on the basis Of gospel
truth. These facts. together with the
multiplication Of religious agencie:
pretend great opportunities.
The Maryland Sunday-school Tn.
ion feels the thrill Of new response
bility. and. believing We have entered
upon the fulfillment Of the prophecy,
And little child shall lead them. -
We are determined To bend every effort
for the advancement of the religious
education and training Of our state.
We are resolved that this shall be an
exceptional year in our work. Going
forth III His name We do not believe
He will dissapoint us in the bestowal
OF grace and power. or in the acquisi.
tion OF the means required tor the ac-
complishment of our plans. We be
gin the year with additional working
force, and hope to extend our opera
tions into all parts of city aud state.
| am greatly encouraged by the
work OF 1894. which has been far
reaching in its effects. | am also
gratltied at the indication of the grow
ing usefulness and popularity Of our
institution, and that the work Of 1895
may be the greatest in the Union :
history ! ask the prayers and coop
Grafton Of both clergy and laity.
| congratulate YOU ON the success
ful work you are doing as feeders OF
Christ's lambs, and pray iha, Gods
blessing may be with YOU during the
present yeas, aud that His spirit may
impel you TO grasp the opportunity He
s. giving Us in these closing years of
the nineteenth century.
Fraternally.
c. :. GRIFFITH,
President Maryland :. :. Union.