The shadow of the Cross of Christ lies right athwart the world. It looms with its overwhelming significance over all the destinies of man. It is the center of the universe of God; it is the pivot on which all things turn for the good of man and for the glory of God.
It limits the pride of man, and brings all his glory to the dust. It stands as a monument ‘twixt earth and heaven of the most tremendous tragedy the world has ever known its mighty mysteries the angels have desired to look into, and the majesty of the suffering it records is written in blood upon the earth, and before the throne of God in heaven.
Those who make light of the Cross and its sacrifice do so at the peril of their souls. There is no way to heaven but by Calvary. There is no Saviour but the One Who was crucified. It is our duty as Christians this year to be true to Christ. To denounce the lies that would make nothing of His atoning work, and say with the poet―
“Set up Thy standard, Lord, that we,
Who claim a heavenly birth,
May march with Thee to smite the lies
That vex Thy groaning earth.”
―T. H.
The best way to scatter this deadly darkness of unbelief that is spreading like a dread eclipse everywhere, is to let the light of God’s Word into hearts and lives. Let every soldier and sailor have a Testament—and do it at once. I beseech you for Christ’s sake to help us to fight this awful evil. Read the last page of this “Message” carefully and prayerfully. Dear friends, we have begun another year—probably the most eventful in the history of this country. We have had wonderful blessing in 1917; we shall have far more in 1918 if we work in the light of His second coming. He may be here any day, any moment—may we be found with ready tongues to answer the challenge of the Saviour, and be able to say with all our hearts: “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God,” and may we be “like unto them that wait for their Lord.”
Yours for Christ’s sake,
Heyman Wreford