The Glory of this World.
By J. H. W.
THE Lord, speaking of “the day of visitation,” asks, “To whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?” This presents the idea that the glory of this world will become a thing to be despised by its possessors; to be cast off or left behind as an encumbrance. There are many things transpiring in every age and in every land to verify the word of God. And we are led to wonder that the mass of mankind will become so intoxicated with the excitement of the vain-glory of this world, so bewildered with its tinsel and glare, that they cannot see that it only shines to allure, and that it never satisfies its possessor. No contrast can be more striking and impressive than that which is presented in the experience of the servants of God and the servants of this world; of those who seek “that honor which cometh from above” only, and that which is from beneath. Moses, who chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the honors of the highest court of earth, had continually increasing evidence that he had made a wise choice, and passed away in death with a bright vision of the glorious rest that remains for the people of God before him. Paul, who suffered for his Saviour more than most others even of his time, could view with cheerful satisfaction his past life and future prospects. Though he had been cast into the deep, been stoned, scourged, and followed with all that malice could invent, he said it was “a good fight” in which he had been engaged, and a crown of life awaited him. And this is the testimony of multitudes who would not accept deliverance from persecution and suffering, having respect to the recompense of reward. On the other hand, we hear the most composed of this world's devotees, as they near the gates of death, saying they are “taking a leap in the dark;” while others, stung with the very madness of remorse exclaim, as did Altamont, in addressing the Deity, “Heaven were to me the very severest part of hell; and hell itself were a refuge would it hide me from thy frown!” What a close of a life of gaiety and pleasure! A most marked case of this kind has been recently presented to the world. The writer of the following lines was early brought out on the stage—an actress in a theater. But she was possessed of talent, and sensibility to perceive that it was not a course of life to be desired, as is often the case with that class of persons, and she accordingly left the stage in New York, and traveled westward to find other employment. The fact that she came from the theatre prevented her obtaining employment as a teacher. She went to California and resumed her former life, and very soon rose to the greatest popularity. Thence she went to Paris, where her talent as an artist was so generally acknowledged that the first minds of all Europe were captivated. She literally rode upon the very flood-tide of popularity. If anything of this world, either of riches or applause, could satisfy the mind and heart, she should have been satisfied. Not long before her death she wrote the following lines. They show a gifted mind; and, coming from one who had fully tried the honor of this world, they sound like the terrible wail of despair coming from a lost spirit in the depth of its darkness. Saith the preacher, “All is vanity!” We could wish such persons a better fate. But, alas! how few will learn by their experience to cease the unprofitable strife for vanity! “The cares of this life” are continually drowning in perdition those who profess to “know these things.” Receiving the warnings of the Saviour as words of authority, they yet madly go on, heaping up the treasures of this world, and neglect to lay up for themselves treasures in Heaven. If ever they do get to Heaven how poor they will feel, with all their riches left behind, in a world desolated by the anger of a righteous God! May the following lines prove an additional lesson to our hearts, on the vanity of this world. J. H. W.