Welcome

Untried, untrodden, and unknown as your future path may be, each is mapped, arranged, and provided for in the everlasting and unchangeable covenant God. To Him who leads us, who accepts us in the Son of His love, who knows the end from the beginning, it is no new, or uncertain, or hidden way. We thank Him that while He wisely and kindly veils all the future from our knowledge, all that future – its minutest event – is as transparent and visible to Him as the past. Our Shepherd knows the windings along which He skillfully, gently, and safely leads His flock. He has traveled that way Himself and has left the traces of His presence on the road. As each follower advances, the new path unfolding at each step, he can exultingly exclaim, “I see the footprint of my Lord; here went my Master, my Leader, my Captain, leaving me an example that I should follow His steps. Oh, it is a thought replete with strong consolation, and well

calculated to gird us for the coming year: the Lord knows and has ordained each step of the untrodden path upon which I am about enter.

Then, too, the infinite forethought, wisdom, and goodness, which have marked each line of our new path, have also provided for its every necessity. Each exigency in the history of the new year has been anticipated. Each need will bring its appropriate and adequate supply, each perplexity will have its guidance, each sorrow its comfort, each temptation its shield, each cloud its light. Each affliction will suggest its lesson, each correction will impart its teaching, and each mercy will convey its message of love. The promise will be fulfilled to the letter, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25).
-Octavius Winslow