p. 39 | He Had to Leave It

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 2, 1866

He Had to Leave It.

A RICH man died. Success had crowned his unwearied efforts and it was well known that a large fortune was the result of a life spent in the accumulation of earthly goods. He died in the morning, soon after the sun had risen, and all through the day that followed, men were commenting on the event: "He died rich." "He amassed a handsome fortune." "He was successful in business." "He left a large property," said one, who was himself increased in goods. The reply of a poor man standing near, yet one rich in faith, seemed for the instant to startle him out of his own worldly infatuation, "Yes, he had to!"

Men may heap to themselves the wealth of worlds, and gather about them all earthly riches, but they must all come shoulder to shoulder in the march of life; lay down their armor, their burdens, and their treasures at the tomb's door, and together enter in to explore the mysteries of that unseen state, within whose dark shadows so many have before them entered.

There is but one thing a man can carry with him through the darkness of death. A hope of Heaven through the atoning blood of Jesus is the priceless treasure of which the grave can not rob the soul, for it is not of the earth, earthly, but a heavenly inheritance.