Looking Forward to the New Earth
By A. Johnson
For the first time I take my pen to say a few words through the Review. I always want to be found on the Lord's side, striving to overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. I have been a Sabbath-keeper for a few months. I feel it my duty to keep all the commandments of God. I have an earnest desire to press on to mount Zion with God's chosen people. When I behold this earth clothed with verdure and beauty, and realize that all must fade away and perish, with what joy do I then look forward to that new earth that is promised to the righteous, to be clothed with everlasting verdure, where blossoms never fade; where there is no more sorrow nor sin; where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. Though we have to suffer persecution here for Christ's sake, we have the cheering promise of our Saviour, "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." My parents are Sabbath-keepers. There are no others in this vicinity except a Seventh-day Baptist. It is my desire to have my work done and well done, that I may share in the welcome:—"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." I can adopt with my whole heart the words of the poet—
"The friends I love may turn from me,
Their words unkind may pierce me through;
But this my daily prayer shall be,
Forgive; they know not what they do."
Your unworthy sister.
A. JOHNSON.
Southampton, Peoria Co., Ills.