DEAR FELLOW-MEMBERS of the ONE BODY,

We are reminded, this day, of the words of Moses to Israel:

"Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led

thee" (Deut. 8: 2). Israel were reminded not only of provision,

but of proving; not only of manna and miracle, but of hunger and

humbling.

We, too, look back over the year and over the years. What a

testimony they yield of utter faithfulness, of longsuffering, of grace

beyond expression on the part of the Lord.

We have continual evidence that were the Lord not our Shield,

our testimony would have been silenced long ago. We boast only

in Him. We are glad to know that as the Lord "stood by" the

apostle, so will He stand by the feeblest attempt to maintain that

"good deposit" (II Tim. 1: 12-14) until in His mercy "all the

Gentiles" shall have heard.

In this spirit and in this assurance we thankfully close another

year's testimony, and look forward to the coming year with

chastened yet unflinching confidence.

Yours in the unity to the Spirit,

CHARLES H. WELCH

FREDERICK. P. BRININGER