Harold S. Paisley
On behalf of the associates of Words in Season we greet our readers and fellow believers with Paul’s words, "Maranatha" for we are sure as we enter 2000, the coming of the Lord is imminent.
This year marks the ninety-third year of continual publication, so being the oldest of such a magazine among the Lords people gathered in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We look back with joy and thanksgiving and raise our "Ebenezer" for "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" (1 Sam. 7:12). The first Words in Season was published in 1910 in Philadelphia by brethren Suiter and Lane. Their object was to encourage and help the Lord’s people to "understand the lovingkindness of the Lord and to maintain New Testament church truth."
Our late brother Dr. E. A. Martin, who went to be with Christ in 1933, was the first editor. He was saved in Bruce, Ontario reading C. H. M. on Exodus 12 at the age of eighteen. He was both a dentist and an M.D. For forty years he preached the gospel and had responsibility for the magazine. His faithfulness to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ was continued by later editors: Brethren Charles and Samuel Keller, followed by Mr. William Ferguson who went home to be with the Lord in 1980. The present editor, our brother Matthew Brescia, who started in 1970, has for the last 20 years guided the continuance of the magazine in the understanding of the loving kindness of the Lord and in the strengthening of assembly testimony. (Editors note: Brother Paisley has helped greatly in answering questions simply, succinctly and scripturally since 1980 which is greatly appreciated. Also, our brother Elwood Russell has handled the overseas subscriptions for us commendably. Starting last April, brother Paul Trimble has been producing and mailing the overseas magazines from N. Ireland working with brother Elwood and we are very pleased with the results. This will continue for the present year, Lord willing). It is the desire of all who help in prayer and in labor for the circulation of Words in Season to be a blessing to the Lord’s people during the "little while" until He returns.
As I write, 1999 draws to a close. It has been a year of rapid change in the world. Political leaders have been moved out of office quickly and unexpectedly. Governments have changed and are changing. Large armies with instruments of mass destruction increase. The apostasy from the faith once for all delivered to the saints abounds. Hatred, violence and lawlessness is evident in every society. Drug addiction is out of hand. The family unit, marriage, fidelity and regard for God’s laws have been abandoned. When there is distress of nations in their perplexity, where men are fainting with fear, for the expectation of the things that are coming on the earth, the Lord Jesus said "Look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:25-28).
The year 2000 may be when our blessed Lord will rapture His church — an event which will bring greater changes and increasing disasters worldwide, ending in the return of Christ to judge in righteousness and reign as Prince of Peace. The final message of the Lord Jesus to His own is "Surely I come quickly" (Rev. 22:20). While last day scoffers and mockers ask "Where is the promise of His coming?" (2 Peter 3:4), the language of the redeemed of earth today should be "Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus."
Another year of service, of
witness to Thy love;
Another year of training for holier works above.
Another year is dawning! Dear Master, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven another year for Thee. (FRH)