DECAY OF "EARTHY" STRUCTURES.
It has been demonstrated many times that puny man can build nothing of a material nature that will be permanent. Everything that bears any mark of the merely human touch has in it the element of decay. The ruins of ancient structures, and, indeed, the fading glory of many edifices of quite recent construction, manifest this tendency to crumble or fade away. A New York paper tells of a famous mansion, erected only a few years ago on Long Island, that is disappointing its owner, as well as the architects, by showing signs of premature collapse. It was erected on the site of a former edifice which was destroyed by fire in 1899. The millionaire owner was greatly mortified by its destruction, and determined to build an indestructible house in its stead. He gave orders to his architects that it must be absolutely fire-proof, and that object was steadily kept in view. But the great weight of stone and steel, and other heavy materials supposed to be fire-proof, have exposed it to another danger. Although the builders dug deep for a supposedly-firm foundation, the massive structure is settling and cracking. Cracks in the walls, ceilings, and roof show that it is settling unevenly, and there are grave fears that nothing can save it. Now people are wondering that the architects or the builders did not foresee the danger; but, alas, for human foresight! Everything "earthly," even man's highest hopes and aspirations not based on the sure Word of God are doomed to decay. And "as is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy." A future permanent life is dependent upon a resurrection from the death that is sure to follow the present sinful existence; and that resurrection is based on the fact of Christ's resurrection, and not upon any virtue or feature of this "earthy" creation. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Looking upon the uncertainty of things earthy, or rather upon the certainty that these things all must eventually return to the dust, our Lord has left us the warning: "Every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand." So, in giving counsel concerning a permanent building, the same Counsellor, through an inspired apostle, has assured us that "other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."