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Envy

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 1, 1863

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 22, No. 14.

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Envy.

By J. CLARKE

It is said of a certain inferior Latin poet (Codrus), that he actually burst with envy. Whether this is a correct statement or not, I do not say; but it seems that other poets so far excelled Codrus that he was very unhappy, and according to ancient records, he was the victim of incurable envy.
Now when I see an envious disposition, I often think of Codrus. And it is very sad indeed to see how Envy works herself along. People are very foolish in nourishing this disgusting passion.
Why, look at it a moment. Suppose that in a society, or church, all the members were of second-class minds, and all were as ignorant and uninformed as myself, or yourself, for instance. How we should long for some capable, thorough-going men to be brought in, that they might take the helm. Would you exchange the object of your envy for some stupid dolt? Would you like to belong to a church where all were inferior to yourself, so that you might be a kind of Grand Lama among them? Would you be very proud of reigning over a thousand apes? or would you like to flourish as the chief of some clan, whose minds bowed with reverence at your speeches, and trembled at your anger, or smiled at your pleasure? Wouldn’t it be grand?
Suppose that the object of your envy were to-morrow a lifeless corpse, and you were elevated to fill his place, wouldn’t you feel well, especially if you knew the Supreme Ruler had done it in partiality to you? Would you not have a high opinion of Him who rules events, if he should thus stoop to your desires? Would not this be a happy universe, if the Ruler were influenced by your counsels? Wouldn’t you take it kindly?
Oh, godless Envy! thou hateful, foul bird! flee from every mind that courts the friendship of Wisdom, who dwells with Prudence. Away with thy blasting, withering, debasing presence. Oh, blind, insane Envy! begone from the house of God and the society of his people.
J. CLARKE.