The Joys of the Kingdom.
By Wm. H. Wild
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: How ravishing to our longing souls, are the bright celestial visions of the eternal joys to come. Oh, when will the vail be rent, that hides the lovely face of our long absent elder Brother from our gaze? When will we behold him surrounded by the angelic host, descending to the joy of the little flock, to escort them into the heavenly mansions. Oh, what a hope is ours! Have we not great promises, yea, promises more precious to us than the most fine gold, promises that should cause us to rejoice with our heads uplifted, in the blessed hope of soon entering a city, whose builder and maker is God? Yea, dear brethren and sisters, it is our prerogative, while men's hearts are failing them for fear of those things, which are coming on the earth, to lift up our heads and rejoice. Like one of old we can say,— “Whatever ills the world befall,
A pledge of endless good we call,
A sign of Jesus near.” Oh, the news of his coming, is good news to me. Of all the people in the world, we ought to be the most cheerful, the happiest, the meekest, and the most self-denying. Oh, it is blessed to abide in Jesus, even in this world of trials, and temptations; but how much more blessed, to have confidence, that when he shall appear, we shall not be ashamed before him, at his coming. We are surely a favored people. Our hearts should be filled with praise and thanksgiving. What manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called his sons. And when the earth is restored to its Eden beauty, and all the scattered millions of the Lord's shall at last hear the welcome voice of their dear Saviour, saying, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, then will our joys be complete. May the Lord by his good Spirit fill our hearts with love, and peace, and joy, and finally grant us an abundant entrance into that golden city, the New Jerusalem. WM. H. WILD.
135 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.