"The Children of this World are in their Generation Wiser than the Children of Light." Luke xvi, 8.
By F. M. Bragg
WHY should the children of this world use more wisdom to obtain perishable riches than the children of light to gain an immortal inheritance? Are a few fleeting pleasures of greater value than the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory?" Can we estimate how much the rich reward of the righteous outweighs the fading treasures of this world? Jesus promises an hundred fold in this life, and in the world to come life everlasting. And the apostle Peter says that it is an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us. Who would not strive for such a treasure? And yet these words of our Saviour are painfully true in these days of peril. With what untiring zeal and care the children of this world labor for a treasure here. No means are untried, no sacrifice is too great. They leave the comforts of home, the society of friends, and risk life, even, in anticipation of the enjoyments of this mortal life. Their zeal is a reproof even to those who profess the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. Do we expect to gain an imperishable treasure with less effort than they a perishable one? The words of a professed unbeliever of the Bible seem true in the course of some. "They do not believe the story." Their lives prove that they have not faith in the written will of God. They do not take him at his word. They seem to have lost sight of the suffering way through which alone the immortal treasure can be gained. They cling to a profession, and slide along with the world as if they could serve God and mammon. But these words of inspiration are to us, "Ye cannot serve two masters." "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." The children of this world are not sure of their treasure even in this life. In one hour their hopes die. Their treasure is forever perished. They have sown to the flesh, and they of the flesh reap corruption. We have everything that could be given to encourage us. The reward of the righteous is sure. It will never fail. It is laid up where moth or rust cannot corrupt, or thieves steal it away. And it is soon to be given to the faithful. Are we of that class? Are we decided to be for God and for none other? God is speaking in many ways; through the Third Angel, the true Witness and the gift of prophecy. Shall we listen and heed the warnings? Shall we welcome Jesus? What a powerful influence the present spirit of hurry, hurry, has to draw us down into the whirlpool of destruction. Those whom the enemy cannot lull into security, by the deadning opiate of error, he endeavors to drown in the busy cares and perplexities of this life. If we do not very soon break away from his devices, it will be forever too late. "If ye love the world, the love of the Father is not in you." Do we believe it? The true Witness is speaking to us. Shall we listen to this timely warning, heed the counsel, and zealously repent? What a blessed privilege! To sup with the beloved Son of God, the chiefest among ten thousand, the one altogether lovely. One moment's communion with him is sweeter than all the joys of this world. Come, let us return unto the Lord with all our hearts. Let us not faint here, though we have made some efforts to arise. The Lord has not said, seek ye my face in vain; but he has said, in the day we seek him with all the heart he will be found of us. Cambridge, Wis., Jan. 1st, 1858.