JUST a few words of best wishes for the readers of Messages of Love, as we enter upon another year.
Seven years have passed since this little paper first began to carry its tidings of love and grace to many children who were ignorant of the way of salvation, and its words of instruction to young believers. During these seven years, many words of encouragement have been received, giving evidence that the little messages carried in its pages have not been sent forth in vain.
And this is cause for thanksgiving to God, who alone can make His word heard in the soul. And our earnest wish is, that during this coming year many young souls may be saved through reading these silent little messages.
Some of you have read the paper for seven years, some of you not so long, and some, perhaps, will read it this year for the first time. May we ask you, dear young readers, Have you read it, and do you read it, with the desire of getting some word from God for your soul—something that would help you to know the way of salvation, or something that would help you on your way if you are already saved? If you do not hear the voice of God speaking to you through it, it will do you no good.
And oh! dear children, remember we have to do with God. He is our Creator and we are dependent on Him for the very air we breathe. We could not live a single moment without Him. If He should withhold His life sustaining power, we would perish instantly.
Now the serious question is, Are we His friends, or His enemies? Are we in His favor, or under His judgment? We have sinned against Him. What, then, is to be done? If you have sinned against Him, how can you stand before Him? You must give an account to God. How can you do it, if you have to answer for your sins?
Ah! you need a Saviour, and the very God against whom you have sinned has given His Son to be your Saviour. And that Saviour has died for you. This is God’s message to you. Do you believe it? Have you accepted Jesus as God’s gift to you? If not, oh! do not delay. Time is living fast. You may never read through another year of Messages of Love. This may be the last number you will ever read. Our best wish for you, then, is, that you may believe God’s message of love to you just now, and be saved while you read these lines. Tomorrow may be too late. You may be in eternity before tomorrow; or the Lord may come, and if you have not believed, you will be lost forever. Oh! let it not be so. Hasten, dear young soul, to be saved through Jesus Christ. Believe in Him. And then, if you are spared another year, seek to serve Him, by leading others to Him.
May God bless you all, dear young readers, and lead you on in the knowledge of His blessed truth.
ML 05/06/1906