Show 4 THE PAST YEAR the commencement of the year is a period at which the mind is naturally led to look back over the past and forward to the future the past has given an experience which to the wise teaches lessons of value for the future and we see in the course of human events how surely the hand of providence is guiding all things a to the accomplish ment of his eternal purposes by many the th e year which is just ended I 1 was war looked upon at its beginning as one pregnant with the most important events el eighteen 0 eteen hundred and sixty six was viewed as a prophetic year of more than ordinary significance scriptural 0 had reckoned prophetic days and concluded that at the least terrible convulsions would during it shake the political world some believed that the millennium would then have its commencement and others looked for the end of the world to take place before the beginning of the year which has just dawned though the expectations of those who entertained these varied opinions have not been realized the past year has in indeed been an eventful one and the opening of the present year is lot not au spi cious clous for the peace happiness and welfare of humanity humania it would be difficult to name the na nation ion lon in which there have not been experienced fierce political contentions the miseries of war or the harrowing fears bears which presage approaching pro aching conflict the elements of discord and strife have been rapidly converging to a destined point and the opening of the present year indicates that the prophecies which speak of the fearful struggles that shall spread mis ery ry through the earth and a nd precede the he t reign of truth and peace are rapidly nearing their fulfillment to the saints the past year has instead of bringing the trouble anticipated by some and labored for far by our enemies seen been been fraught with many blessings and borne orne evidence of the tile continued progress of the work of god the earth has brou brought 0 ht forth in abundance for man and beast the rains raina of heaven have watered the thirsty soil and saved much of the labor consequent upon irrigation the deseret telegraph line under the fostering care of president B young has been built and communication 0 opened p ened with the cities and settlements of the route north as far as logan its present northern terminus and in a few days there will be direct communication with st george the value of this evidence of progress cannot be fully realized iced at present and important though hough t it be it is only one of many works that must be accomplished accompli hed before a great length of time for furthering the growth of truth and righteous righteousness nesi and the hap of all who desire to do good upon the earth we have cave also had a large immigration from the nations of people who received the truth in other lands and who were at vast expense and trouble under the blessing of god safely brought t from the tottering kingdoms doms sand and empires of the world to a land appointed by the lord for the tho gatherl gathering ug offis of nils blis people but we have not sufficient space to enumerate even the more prominent blessings which have been bestowed upon the saints not the least of which are the peace unity and brotherly love which continue to characterize those who seek to serve god and keep his commandments A few of the baser sort have it is true with persistent wickedness sought to bring the evil of which they have been the eager prophets but the almighty has overruled their sch seh schemes and acts for his own glory what have llave they accomplished of evil upon the saints have not their wicked plans failed up to the present as have the plans of all those who have sought to destroy the work of god from the earth the past year with all the past history of the church but strengthens our faith and knowledge that the lord will protect and preserve his people under all ail circumstances if they will continue to hearken to his voice and do his will while the nations are treading the downward path racked by war dissen tion and conflicting parties it is for us to so live according to the principles of the gospel that zion will be a place sought after by the honest in heart of all lands to the enemies of truth and of the people of bod god we would say that their secret works of darkness and their abominations will continue to be exposed until they shall be known of all men as they are to the saints we wish fon for the year now commenced and for all coming time multiplied blessing peace aud love in the fellowship of the holy spirit if we continue faithful our course will be onward and upward until righteousness shall cover the earth and he shall reign whose right it is to I 1 rule |