Magazine For The Blind
We have received a letter from Brother Paul C. Witt of Abilene, Texas, writing for the Elders of the Fourteenth and Vine Streets Church of Christ. Since the letter concerns, a matter of general interest and importance, we pass on to you these paragraphs from it:
"Two years ago we started the Braille Magazine, Glad Tidings of Good Things. At that time we had approximately 50 readers . . . . At the present time we have approximately 300 readers, and magazines are going into 26 states, Africa, Canada, England, Hong Kong, and the Philippine Islands.
"The magazine has been received with much joy by our Braille readers, and a considerable amount of splendid material has been supplied by them; particularly by five of our young blind preachers.
"A copy of the editorial appearing in the January, 1956 issue is enclosed."
"If The Lord Will"
As we look ahead into the new year we can well remember the inspired words of God's servant, James!
"Come now, ye that say today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:13-14.)
Surely we look ahead with reasonable assurance and a measure of anticipation; with promise of God's protecting care and ever-abiding love, but at the same time we are aware not only of the uncertainty of material things but also of life itself. Always we are reminded that the future is in God's hands and ever must we, like James, plan in terms of, ". ... if the Lord will." God's promises give us hope, His assurances give us trust, His mercies give us courage, and His goals for us lead us to victory.
Who can falter when we have the realization that . . . God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19), and when we have the realization that ". . . . in him we live, and move, and have our being- " (Acts 17:28.) Who is fearful when it is remembered that we may ". . . come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:15-16.) Who is fainthearted when it is remembered that ". . . . death is swallowed up in victory .... the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 15:64,57.)
Thus we look ahead, according to God's will. Our lives are "... . hid with Christ in God." (Col. 3:3.) God works in us, "... . both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13.) We have a hope, ".. . both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; ......(Heb. 6:17-19.) We go faithfully and hopefully on, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; ...." (Heb. 12:1-3.)
We shall not just pray for the way to be easier, but we shall rather pray that our strength be greater; we shall not just plead that the burdens be lighter, but instead that our courage be more enduring; we shall not beg for the day to be always brighter, but also that our ability to see be enhanced; we shall not allow ourselves to wish that God had made additional promises to us, but shall set ourselves to the achievement of a stronger, richer faith in the precious and exceeding great ones that we have. This year, more than ever before, we shall strive to learn the richness of the meaning of the sublime words, "If the Lord will ...."
The magazine is available without cost to all blind persons who desire it. The entire expense of publication is borne by the Fourteenth and Vine Streets Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas, to whom you may write if the magazine is desired.