No doubt many of my young friends rejoice that New Year’s Day has come at last, and will not be displeased that one who is very fond of little children should take the opportunity of addressing them at a time so hopeful as the New Year is to most, but especially to the young, for whom the future always has a charm far more cheering than the past.
Not that the past has been all gloom, for I am sure my young friends can remember many things which_ are still pleasant to dwell upon in fact, as memorials of the past, they are perhaps the only things which make it worth remembering. But in the Nev Year we joyfully anticipate pleasures more numerous, and sorrows less frequent, than in the Old Year gone by. Well do I remember how as, a little boy I used to look forward to the New Year with delight, wishing, as all children do, first of all for some nice gifts from my dear friends and relatives, and then to be much happier than during the Old Year. And not only so, but my brothers and. I used to imagine all sorts of things that we would do, and think of many things we hoped to possess when we were old enough.
We also used to make up our minds to be better boys, much better boys than we had been; but although this was quite right in itself, we could not make ourselves really better, you know, because, like all other children, we were altogether evil by nature. And this evil not only dwelt within us, but in many ways came out, showing itself alike in word, action, and corrupt desires.
Is the little reader’s experience at all like that which I have described? Has the past as yet convinced you that all the vain toys and other presents which you may receive, although very pleasing now, will shortly prove very wearisome, to be tossed aside for something newer, wherewith you may again for a time be pleased? Would you not like to possess something which could always satisfy? TO be sure you would! Well, then, in order that you may do so, and thus be eternally happy, you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He it is who died to save sinners, so that you may, if you will, have pardon, and happiness, and heaven. By his blood, and his blood alone, can you be cleansed and fitted for the presence of God. All the resolutions you may form for the New Year, as did my brothers and I, will assuredly be broken. Such is our state by nature, that the word of God declares there is “no good thing” in us. There is therefore nothing to build your good resolutions upon. Nor, if kept, would they be of any avail. They can neither put away your sins, nor give you a new nature. Christ alone can do both; therefore go to him. Do not make a resolution to go at some future time, but go now, now at once, while the New Year is yet but just begun. Christ has wrought out upon the cross a full salvation. There remains nothing whatever to be done; he has paid all the mighty debt. You see this was just what was wanted. You and I could do nothing, but Christ has done all; and God now declares that “whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The word “whosoever”is very beautiful, because it shuts none out. God is not willing that any should perish. No matter whether it be all little child, or a very old man or woman, this same blood of the Lord Jesus can cleanse them from all sin, if they believe in him. Surely, then, when the love of God is so manifest in the precious gift of Christ, and when you see that you can be saved in no other way, as I trust you now do, you will be persuaded to escape from the perishing condition in which you now are by nature. In that, case this would be indeed a “New Year” to you; and even were you called away before its close — and who can say you will not? — you would not be afraid to die, because to die would only be to leave this earth for a brighter and better world, where there is no sorrow or sadness, but where eternal joy is the portion of the redeemed.
Oh that this may be the happy portion of all who read these pages! If any of my little readers are led to see their need of Christ, and to take hold on him, then they may truly spend a “Happy New Year,”and, what is far more important, a blissful eternity will be theirs. Doubtless, during the old year which has just glided away, you have heard and read much on these subjects; but if you still continue where the beginning of that year found you, those opportunities are all lost, while you are one year nearer the end, be that when it may; and who can say when, that end may come? Perhaps you can call to mind some young friend, perchance a little brother or sister, who has already passed away from this earthly scene, while you still remain. Oh, then, let me persuade you that the New Year is given you as another opportunity of knowing the Lord, and of entering upon happiness, if you will only believe in him. May he give you grace and power at once to take advantage of it, that so, long ere this year has run its course, you may be found resting in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood “cleanseth from all sin.”
Amen. R.