A Few Sober Thoughts about this World.
By E. W. Darling
I HAVE lived in this world, and have tasted somewhat of its pleasures and joys. I have also tasted of its sorrows. Many times has my heart been flushed with its hopes, and I have also shared of its disappointments. I have seen and read something of its boasted pomp, and glory, and grandeur. I have also read and realized something of its emptiness, vanity, and nothingness. I have considered first its transitory nature. It must soon pass away. Its beautiful buildings, its costly buildings, its ancient buildings, its lofty buildings, its mighty forests, its pleasant groves, with the beasts that roam over its surface, its rich harvests, its gold and silver, its goodly apparel, and all that now endear it to its sons and daughters, will soon be no more. Nothing will be left but a smouldering pile of ashes. I have considered the uncertainty of life; my own life, and that of my friends. Death may at any moment end all my earthly prospects. My "time is always ready." I have considered the uncertain and complicated nature of my future earthly hopes. I have considered many other things, and have been brought to realize that sin has ruined this world for me, and me for this world. Soberly and solemnly have I thought of these things, and I have concluded to give up this world to which I have so long and so fondly clung, and not love the world, neither the things that are in the world, but seek first the kingdom of God, laying up a good foundation against the time to come, laying up a treasure in Heaven, that my heart may be there also, that when this world shall fail, I may have a habitation, eternal, and in the Heavens.