TREASURE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 10, 1875

“What I spent, that I had; what I kept, that I lost; what I gave, that I have.”—Old Epitaph.

EVERY coin of earthly treasure We have lavished upon earth, For our simple worldly pleasure, May be reckoned something worth; For the spending was not losing, Though the purchase were but small; It has perished with the using; We have had it—that is all!

All the gold we leave behind us When we turn to dust again (Though our avarice may blind us), We have gathered quite in vain; Since we neither can direct it, By the winds of fortune tossed, Nor in other worlds expect it; What we hoarded—we have lost.

But each merciful oblation (Seed of pity wisely sown), Which we give in self-negation, We may safely call our own. Thus of treasure freely given, For the future we may hoard; For the angels keep in Heaven What is lent unto the Lord.