The New Year and The Old (1948 & 1949)

This Poem came from Rhymes of Bible Doctrine (and other poems) written in 1949 by Benj. F. Dotson. I was given the booklet by my good friend, Dr. Dennis J. Brown. jnh

The new year, January one,

Tells us another year’s begun;

Adding one more span to the years,

Before the age-end soon appears;

Old nineteen hundred forty-eight,

Brought us so many things of fate;

The world’s outlook is not so bright,

The peace we hope is not in sight.

Nations are seething and in fear,

Worrying much that war is near;

They do not have that peace and calm,

For fear of the atomic bomb;

They fear America they say;

That is war we will lead the way;

They should know war of aggression,

Would ne’er be waged by this nation.

America wants lasting peace,

For wars of ev’ry kind to cease;

That nations should dwell together,

Doing good to one another;

Laying aside all suspicion,

Ev’ry act of indiscretion;

Live in harmony day by day,

We’re sure this is the Bible way.

But it won’t be, we’re sad to tell,

It would defeat a devil’s hell;

‘Twould also contradict the word,

Its revelations of the sword;

The age-end is too close in war,

Its Tribulation’s exit door;

It will bring the millennium,

That glorious age yet to come.

Cheer up, sad heart, lift up thy head,

There is One risen from the dead;

His soon return we are assured,

To reward those who have endured

The trials and sufferings for His sake,

Oh, let us for Him undertake;

His oft reproaches gladly bear,

Until we meet Him in the air.

By Benj. F. Dotson, D.D., Litt. D.

Pastor-Poet-Bible Teacher-Evangelist 1949