Green Box
Albert E. Farley
It is customary, at the beginning of a New Year, for one to wish others “A Happy and Prosperous New Year.” How compatible are happiness and prosperity? It depends, of course, upon what we mean by the two terms. Jesus Christ, in His sermon on the mount, said, “Blessed (happy) are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Mt 5:10-12.
Francis Bacon (1561-1626) wrote, “Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New … Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; and adversity is not without comforts and hopes … Prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.” (Essays, “Of Adversity”)
Our prayer and best wishes for all of our readers in 2009 is that of the apostle John, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.” 3 Jn 2, 3. We hereby dedicate our paper to this end. -Albert.