Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1903-01-01

ing Is coming as a thing In the night
IL is coming when we are least expect
ing it. We are tn be ready aud watch
ing for we know not the day nor the
hour when the Son OF man cometh. This
may not be for thousands upon thons-
ands OF years, yet it may be within the
new year. Blessed Is that man that he
shall find ready and watching. Blessed
are they that love his appearing for
crown of righteousness is laid up for
them. $50 teach us to number our
days that we may our hearts unto wis
dom.
The new year comes freighted with
many possibilities and some certainties
that must be met. If we know that
certain things are sure TO come to pass
ii is the part OF wisdom to so number
our days and improve our opportunities
as TO make the most of these certainties
But are we sure that there can be said
to be any Certainties? OF course all OF
the certainties Of the new year are con-
ditional by the uncertainties. II death
cuts us off tomorrow then the POSSIBLE
tiles OF this life are ended. So the
certainties Of the year will be true on
ly to those who live all or psrt OF the
year. five live we are all certain TO
increase in knowledge, whether we
desire 1t or not: experience and obser
walton will teach US much. We can
not pass through the year insensible to
all within and around US. Knowledge
crowds itself upon us. One year frem
tonight all will know many things that
we do not tonight. IL is certain that
we will increas sc in knowledge: so, now
the all important question is, what
shall that increased knowledge be.
Shall it be pure and uplifting, or shall
it be impure and degradlngr oh, the
possibilities for increasing in kuowl
edge during the new year, may we not
only number our days but our hours
and our minutes, so as TO apply our
hearts unto wisdom, so as to get the
most OF every precious moment that
fits by us and is forever gone.
AS look into the new year, | see
another certainty Of incalcuable impor-
lance. The new year is sure to see
many habits of life become fixed and
permanent. That twelve months will
fix certain habits upon us is absolutely
certain. This is especially true of the
young. That single act oft repeated
become fixed habits in life, is fact be
yOnd dispute and. our control 1t Is
simply law Of our nature. But what
those haois shall be is for US to de-
termine. 1t is matter Of our own
choice and will whether or not we will
repeat this or that act or thought until
1t becomes a fixed habit. So the ques
ton of the new year il, what habits
shall form and fix in my life? These
habits may be either good or bad.
Next new year will fad US with certain
habits fixed upon us that we do not
have today.
Our habits may become our creates
help and support In the Christian life
or they may be a milestone about our
neck TO drag US down. The young man
or woman that begins life with good
and fixed habits in thinking, speaking
and acting, has better start than all
the wealth Of a millionaire can give if
good habits be lacking
1t is possible, yea probable, that
some of Us will take our first step in
ways that may effect our eternal des
tiny. Oh the Importance OF. the first
step. That first step may be for good
or bad. Shall the new year see any Of
us take our first step in the ways Of
evil. La this populous world OF ours
many are sure to take the first and
fatal step Of their downfall IL is pos
sinle that some OF Us may be among
that unmb r Oh that we might nun
Der our days 50 that we might appl,
our hearts with wisdom.
First steps are easily and quickl,
taken Some II them can be retrac q
and little harm results Others, tn.
result Of hut minute, can never be re
traced. The new year will see mor
than one young girl writing in th
agonies Of regret and remorse over los
rtue. The fruit OF our fatal fi,s,
step, the result Of the one supreme
temptation Of life The new year viii
see more than one man In murdercr's
cell, the work Il ono evil hour; his
tears OF Repentance may scald hi
cheeks by day ana by night, hut never
can h. or So that one fatal bow
Bat ;he fast STEPS that are po-sibl,
in this new year, thank God, are not
all evil. There may be ir.t SIPS IN
many good habits and righteous ways
May it not he that this Year will wit
me- our first soul won for Chris .
Think tonight of the first Steps IT,
righteousness that are possible FOR you
In thu new year. May these first stepe
hp fotiowad pY mill Tho, ka.or,.