TRIED GOLD by A. Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1879

TRIED GOLD.

By A. Smith

“Gold, many hunted, sweat and bled for gold; Waked all the night and labored all the day.”

To obtain this precious metal, what toil and privations will not man endure, and what associations of home and kindred will he not forego; and all this without the certainty of accomplishing his purpose. How often hope deferred leads on the votary of mammon until, in the vain pursuit, what property he can command is wasted, the ties of friendship and kindred severed, and beggary ensues as a prelude to the suicide’s tragic end.

If the mammon worshiper exhibits such untiring industry and perseverance in the pursuit of uncertain worldly emolument or gold, what superlative energy should characterize the efforts of the child of God in pursuit of heavenly riches. In this effort all may possess the assurance of ultimate success if the conditions of the contest are complied with:—“If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Says the True Witness, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire.” But this precious medium of celestial exchange may not be obtained by spasmodic efforts, nor at a sacrifice that admits of any reserve.

The term gold, as here employed, is a symbol of holy character to be obtained through the fiery ordeal of tribulation. Happy those who endure, and are thus made more precious than fine gold, even the golden wedge of Ophir.

A. SMITH.