p. 87 | Forget his Broom

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 16, 1875

Forget his Broom.

Some years ago there was a crossing-sweeper in Dublin, with his broom, at the corner; and, in all probability, his highest thoughts were to keep the crossing clean, and look for the pence. One day a lawyer put his hand upon his shoulder, and said to him:—

“My good fellow, do you know that you are heir to a fortune of ten thousand pounds a year?”

“Do you mean it?” he said.

“I do,” was the answer. “I have just received the information. I am sure that you are the man.” The man was convinced. He left his corner, he walked away, he forgot his broom, and he made haste to seek his inheritance. Like the woman of Samaria, who “left her water-pot” by Jacob’s well, and hastened to the city to proclaim the presence of the Messiah whom she had seen, so this poor man, filled with strange thoughts of wealth and plenty, forsook his labors and forgot his broom.

But are there not many who talk of their title to a heavenly and eternal heritage, who yet hold fast the broom, and cling to all the cares and trifles and follies of this wretched world? O man of earth, look up! God has provided some better thing for mortals than worldly gain or worldly good. Drop your muck-rake, forget your broom, and seek an eternal heritage, a never-fading crown.—Sel.