HOW RICH BEN ADAM IS

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1867

“HOW RICH BEN ADAM IS.”

[This little poetical parable contains so beautiful a moral, that, for the sake of it, we can easily overlook the poor theology contained in the last stanza.—Ed. REVIEW.]

Ben Adam had a golden coin one day, Which he put out at interest with a Jew; Year after year awaiting him it lay Until the double coin two pieces grew, And these two, four—so on, till all the people said, “How rich Ben Adam is!” and bowed the servile head.

Ben Selim had a golden coin that day, Which to a stranger asking alms he gave, Who went rejoicing on his unknown way. Ben Selim died too poor to own a grave; But when his soul reached Heaven, angels with pride Showed him the wealth to which his coin had multiplied.