Lay up Treasure in Heaven.
By Francis Gould
THE present hard times for money, and the failing of banks, and their connecting circumstances are causing men's hearts to fail for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; and it is a solemn thought; for it may be a precursor to the time of trouble spoken of by Daniel the prophet, "And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time." The present condition of affairs is a striking fulfillment of the prediction of the apostle James. "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, your garments are moth-eaten, your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." While I have witnessed of late the howling of rich men, and the miseries that have already come upon them, and the fear, which like an incubus, has stolen over them, I am admonished that the Judge standeth before the door, and of the importance of laying up a treasure in heaven. Says the word of God, Sell that ye have, and give alms: provide yourselves bags that wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. Luke xii. 33. From this scripture there may be several reasons deduced why we should lay up treasure in heaven. 1. Because it faileth not. The treasures of earth often fail, and through a sudden change of the times become good for nothing; but there is a bank in heaven that will never fail; whether the winds blow high or low, in the midst of prosperity or adversity, it fails not. 2. We should lay up a treasure in heaven because no thief approacheth. It is very evident for the last few years, that crime in all its various forms, has greatly increased, and it can be said with propriety, that there is no place in which earthly treasure can be deposited but what thieves will break through and steal. No thief will ever gain the treasure which is laid up in heaven, or that which God has prepared for them that love him. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore-mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Rev. xxii. 14, 15. 3. Another reason why we should lay up treasure in heaven, is, because it is the only way to secure eternal life. That way is made plain by the apostle Paul in speaking of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds. To them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality; eternal life. There are two distinct classes of thieves, and robbers, that have rendered themselves very conspicuous in these last days: one class steals and robs a man of his earthly possessions, the other class are those who teach that the righteous receive their reward at death, thus virtually robbing God of his power, and the Son of God of the crowning glory of redemption. Says the prophet, Will a man rob God? yet ye have robbed me. Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Mal. iii. 8, 9. Says Christ, Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door, into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. John x. 1. I would say to the scattered remnant, who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, double your diligence in well-doing, lay up a treasure in heaven, and may it be an individual work. The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. Zeph. i. 14. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath. Let us take heed to the counsel of the faithful and true Witness. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed. That we may on the examination of the guests be found having on the wedding garment, is my prayer. Randolph, Vt., Nov. 22d, 1857.