The herald., 1897-01-04

were made to be greater than our sur
roundings. The greater concern IL not,
What are circumstances doing with
us?" but What are we doing with our
circumstances 2" The workman is not
made by his tools. Our character enjoy
ment and worth to the world depend far
more In what brightens or darkens In
side than what shines or blows outside
For our well-being, this year Will be
much as we make it,
What are our best years? Those which
are best for the growth and exercise CT
what Is most manly, most womanly
most Christlike in us; which bring 10
their best those moral and intellectual
qualities and make that use of daily life
which most nearly fulfills the Creators
purpose in our lives. This year may not
be more prosperous financially, nor he
less burdeDed with personal necessities.
This year may bring sorrows not hither-
to known--loss Of property, loss CT
health, a silence In the home which no
living voice or football can break Yet
whatever disappointments or burdens
this year may bring, 1t may be better
year, because of the great gains In lis
of what is pleasing to God and helpful to
man.
This year ought to be better year
than the last BY as much as 1896 was
faithfully used, we have greater ability
for what Is worthier in 1897. A year OF
right life always opens the way for a
year of still nobler life. ETERNITY will not
exhaust the helds r'or close the gateways
for what Is better. Phillips Brooks struck
a grand chord of courage when he wrote;
we have nothing to do with our past
but to get better future out Of It,"
This year must advance or 1t will
retpgrade. There may have been hal
lowed landmarks along the way by
which we have come; the past year may
otyn 1y,Ntv tvrrt.k l.-4-
OF the Almighty. For this thanks be
unto Him who ever liveth and loveth. But
when the present hour does not kindla
new fires ard hang out new stars the
sleam and glory Of yesterday begin to
fade. More men and women are prema-
turely old through aimlessness than
through age. Activities may lessen with
age, but each year may be a
better one than the last, in sweeter
spirit, clearer vision of Christ. a kind
Her Judgment and richer maturing of
heart which grow within one in the less
busy and less public months.
'fhis year will be made better If we
feel the need of improvement and mean
to improve. There are mists upon the
plain where we now walk and there are
hands which press us back from higher
levels. A multitude of church members
amount to little, because they put SO lit
tie meaning into the Christian name,
faith, character and work. This year will
be no better to them than last because
In the realm of the soul they are salts
fed to be spiritual skeletons; have no
aspirations to be a power for Christ,
nor any longing for the irdwelling and
milling of the Holy Spirit A better
year Is made by the culture of those
Christian graces which tighten all bur-
dens and brighten all life. 1 need not
recall them; your hearts are human;
the little world within you vibrates with
essentially the same chords of sorrow and
joy as In the great world without you.
Therefore whatsoever ye would that
men should do unto you, do ye even so
unto them, whether In the home, In the
school, the office, the shop. on the rail-
way, in the church, among friends or
among strangers.
Have you ever led one person to
Christ the Savior? Have you hitherto
opened your heart to redeeming love?
If not. will you make this better year?
A year when the Lord, coming to you,
shall come unto his own? A year when
for you to live is to be force for Christ"