The Vanity of the World by Bishop Hopkins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 25, 1859

The Vanity of the World

By Bishop Hopkins

The vanity of the world appears in this, that a little cross will embitter great comforts. One dead fly is enough to convert a whole box of the world's most fragrant ointment into a stench. There are so many ingredients required to make up worldly felicity,—as riches, health, honor, friends, good name, and the like,—that if any of these be wanting, the whole composition is spoiled. You may as soon grasp a bundle of dreams, or take up an armful of your shadow, as fill the boundless desire of your soul with earthly enjoyments.—Bishop Hopkins.