LUKE XVI, 8 by John Norton Loughborough

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 30, 1857

By John Norton Loughborough

"For the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."

THIS is the language Christ used in closing the parable of the unjust steward, and it is painfully true of the mass of those who profess to be the children of light. What! Have the children of this world more true knowledge than the church of God? No; but they are wiser. Webster says: "Wisdom. Right use of knowledge; choice of good ends, and of the best means of obtaining them."

Campbell translates the portion of this verse which I have quoted above, "For the children of this world are more prudent in conducting their affairs than the children of light."

So it is with the mass of those who profess to be the children of light. They take less care and forethought how they can gain the kingdom, than they do about the things of this world. They are laying but few schemes for the advancement of the cause of God. The worldling is devising every means and straining every nerve to get hold of the white and yellow dust. The professed christian is joining with him. Brethren, shall it be so with us? Shall we who have had the glorious light of the Message, and of the near approach of our Saviour, and who are now so solemnly counselled by the message to the Laodiceans, lose our energy in the cause of God? Shall we not rather arise, and as we sympathize in the last work of our great High Priest, seek to have as the principal object before us the advancement of his cause, and be exercising true wisdom, that we may gain this great object?

This text I have quoted at the head of these remarks has rested with some force upon my mind for the past week. A train of reflections has been passing before my mind, and the thing which gave rise to these meditations was an illustration of the sacrifices worldlings are willing to make to gain their worldly objects.

I was passing from Wawkon, Iowa, to this place. I was detained over night, waiting for conveyance, at Prairie Du Chien, on the east bank of the Mississippi. While I was detained, the first train of cars from Milwaukee, on the Milwaukee and Mississippi R. R., came in with the Rail Road officers of the road. They came to the hotel, where I was stopping, to celebrate the completion of the road. After partaking of a rich supper they proceeded to make speeches in regard to the road, giving a history of the difficulties they had waded through to complete their Rail Road. One individual stated that at one time the contractors of the road mortgaged themselves for more than they were all worth, thus sacrificing all they had, and at a time when prospects looked dark about their ever completing their road, and when they had to hope against hope, and were liable to lose all they had; but said he, The victory is achieved!

What, thought I, men sacrificing their all for a Rail Road, and that when they are liable to lose it too! Yes, so it was. Ought we not to be as wise, and lay ourselves and our all upon the altar of the Lord for the advancement of his glorious cause, and that we may also gain eternal life? The Lord help us to heed the admonition, "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations."

The Lord help us so to conduct ourselves while we have to do with this world, that we shall have those for our friends who can open the heavenly city to us, is my prayer.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Cambridge, Wis., Apr. 20th, 1857.

LUKE XVI, 8.