Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 3/THE CLOSING YEAR

THE CLOSING YEAR.

Another year is about to close upon the living—the dead are gone. Time flies—eternity is near our doors.—Good or bad—well or ill—it cannot be recalled, by man. That personage who decreed the bounds for the waters, and gave order to the elements, has measured its space, and ordained its duration; and man, though he supposes himself to be of importance, and that by his nod a jog could be effected in the grand eternal purposes of the Lord, is but grass, and his glory like the fading flower. Never, while looking upon those scenes which have transpired since the commencement of the present year, did we realize the force of those emphatic words, delivered by inspiration, "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?" more than at the present. Thousands have come, and thousands have gone, and yet the world exists, and time continues in its same uninterrupted course. But the earth is filling up its measure; the inhabitants dwelling upon its surface are fast being brought to that august period when it will "reel to and fro like a drunken man," and those scenes, spoken of by the holy prophets, are just ready to burst upon an astonished world!—This is not vain speculation, nor idle fancy. That system which contends that it has always existed; that it never had beginning, and that it will endure, without end, is feeble in its structure, and wanting in its foundation.

While retrospecting our labors during the present year, we see where, in many instances, we might have improved; but the time has gone by for amendments, and we can only profit, by the past and endeavor to reform from experience, that our labors may be more useful, and our talent, though but small, be occupied in the manner which will most benefit our fellow men, and promote the interests of the Redeemer's cause—this is our only desire.

To our patrons we owe many apologies and acknowledge that liberal encouragement, the reflection of which, is a sweet consolation. In looking over our "Mail Book," we see an increase of names, sent us from different sections of our country, showing in what estimation those feeble exertions to vindicate the truth have been held. It is not, we are sensible, because of superior talent, that our publication has taken this astonishing spread; but the force of truth which it has invariably carried, has given it a buoyancy, notwithstanding the exertions of bigots to hinder its circulation!

The world is filled with men, all eager to obtain honor, fame, riches, power, or salvation—the last, the least.—However pleasing it may be to the saint to witness the spread of the gospel, yet we have no reflections to cast upon those who have been employed in hindering, or endeavoring to, the introduction of those principles held sacred by us, among men. The craft of Demetrius and others, in the days of Paul, was in danger, if the gospel prevailed with the popular class; consequently, an effort must be made to hinder its further advance; and in what manner could he [Demetrius] more effectually accomplish his purpose, than to cry, in the ears of the multitude, that Diana, with all her magnificence was in danger of being despised?

This was sufficient to raise an alarm, and cause the city of Ephesus to cry, for two hours, of the greatness of their goddess. We do not learn that Paul, or the church, murmured; and as the craft of every man is equally dear to himself, we shall only pass on, and endeavor to enlighten the world so far as we have influence and opportunity to spread the truth, and leave the result with God. To be sure, many leading papers of the sects are lying in our office, with much scurrility, and defamation, to which we may have occasion to recur at a future day, if so disposed. But, as there is no material difference between the goddess of the Ephesians, and the one, or ones, worshipped by thousands now, we are persuaded to believe that they all are worthy the same notice—silence.

These last remarks are not made with an intention to throw a slur upon the characters of our fellow men—far be this from our purpose; but having seen the violence and animosity of men exhibited for more than six years, against the system we have embraced, sufficient has been shown to warrant us in the belief that the world is in darkness; that the present theories are not founded on truth, and that each are acting without authority from God, when they attempt to administer in his holy name. We would we could find exceptions; but no sooner has a slander been put in circulation, (by no matter who,) than it has been seized with eagerness, and trumpeted throughout the world of christendom by every sect and party. No sooner have the elders of the church of the Latter Day Saints set foot in any place, among any people, than an alarm was sounded, and every professor, liar, drunkard, false swearer, infidel, or atheist, was exerting his influence to hinder others from hearing.

If this religion is vain; if our foundation is on the sand, and our hope a bubble, why, since it is so easily proven to be such, are men so industrious to keep it from their society? But it is the reverse: if there were not secret whisperings in the heart, that the hand of God was in it, and that should it prevail, it would overthrow some darling tenet of their own, they would not be thus virulent—thus opposed!

There is, however, a peculiarity in truth that is worthy of remark: If it is opposed it is sure to rise, and the more it is calumniated, the more tenaciously it will be held by those who embrace it, which always has, and always will, awaken the curiosity of thousands, and be a means of their conversion. If there is no opposition, men slide into the society of the saints to be popular, and thus wound the holy cause; "for when tribulation or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended," and often turn round, Judas—like, and seek to destroy those with whom they once ate and drank in commemoration of the death and sufferings of the Lord Jesus; rejoiced in the assurance of his coming again, without sin unto salvation, and held sweet council together. This the world has always seized upon with eagerness, hoping to overthrow the society of the just; and by this, the saints have often suffered persecution.

But to return to the year: The elders have travelled into many parts, with good success, and many have been added to the different churches, and more new ones organized. It is impossible for us to say how many have embraced this gospel during the present year; but suffice it to say some hundreds if not thousands.

As we previously said, many thousands have gone: this is so, and among this number some of the saints have been also called. The righteous have hope in their death, said an ancient prophet, and this is true. They have been called from the pains and afflictions of this life, to the pure enjoyment of the blessed in the paradise of God; and in the glorious morn when the righteous will be rewarded, they will appear in perfection, to take their place among the sanctified. They have fled from our embrace, it is true, but we trust, through the grace of God, to join them again, where, and when, the wicked cease from troubling. Our hearts were closely united, too much so, to be dissolved by the cold hand of death. That holy principle cannot become extinct, and though they are in its fullest enjoyment, we trust in the Lord that our bosom will not be destitute while performing our pilgrimage here.

Our labor for the present year will soon be ended—when we close this short address, it will be closed forever—We cannot close it for this year, in another—the labors of the next will belong to the next, and those of this, will lie over for inspection, when every work is brought "into judgment, with every secret thing;" therefore in presenting our friends with this sheet, we present them our thanks, good will and best wishes. Some who commenced this year have gone to eternity; and we take this opportunity to say to those remaining, Be also ready! If our works have been acceptable in the eyes of our Master, in any degree, it is because his hand has supported us, and his grace been sufficient for our day; and the only reflection remaining is, that if, in HIS name, we have advanced the interest of his cause, and those who have heard, have been benefitted, we shall carry the same with us when we enter upon another year, if permitted to tarry, and if not, cherish it in our heart, in a world of peace.

Dear friends: permit us, with these closing remarks, to add a few items for your careful and serious consideration:

Time is on the wing, and the day of retribution is near. We have been spared another year, but, with us it is uncertain whether we see another.—Thousands who were as vigorous as we the commencement of the present year, are now sleeping in the dust—many of our acquaintance—some very near have left us, and we can say with an ancient, "They will not come to us, but we shall go to them." This is not all—our spirits will exist in eternity, and if we are unprepared, what will be our situation? Wasting and destruction are on our right and on our left—wherever we turn our eyes we see their ravages, and can we escape? Sooner or later we must go—are we prepared? Why not, then turn aside from the vain things of this world, and seek our Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near? For you, then, we ask the forbearance and mercy of the Savior, that whether you are permitted to see the close of another year or not, you may stand when he appears and receive a fulness of joy.

With these hasty reflections, and imperfect lines, we close—For the protection of the Lord we render our thanks in sincerity, and only pray, that whether we are permitted to see the close of another year or not—whether we are spared to use our exertion to turn men from darkness to light, from the influence of evil to God, or whether it shall best please him that we finish our course, his will be done—only that we may appear with the righteous, and be like HIM when he comes: Amen.— Editor.