Grounds for Envy and Hatred.
By Editor
Of course the only true way for any man who trusts God to feel when others are prospered more than himself is to rejoice in their prosperity and God's blessing to them; but that is not natural to the selfish heart, and most of mankind have a natural heart. It is well, however, on the part of those who flaunt their riches before the world, to consider for their own sakes the effect that their actions are having on the discouraged and unsatisfied elements of society, some of whom are doubtless in real want. Take for instance the coming of a young woman in society in Philadelphia recently. Two balls, according to the North American, were given in her honor, which cost respectively twenty thousand and twenty-four thousand dollars. The decorations in the way of flowers and plants are estimated to have cost ten thousand dollars; the hotel rent for one night, one thousand; cost of supper and wine, twelve thousand. Such lavish display of wealth can but arouse in the hearts of natural man, many of whom are suffering, envy and hatred which may lead to things very much worse. It would be well for the wealthy to take into consideration such prophecies as James 5 and Habakkuk 2.