p. 159 | A Poor Man’s Wish

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 12, 1864

A Poor Man’s Wish.

I ASKED a student what three things he most wished. He said, “Give me books, health and quiet, and I care for nothing more.”

I asked a miser, and he said “money, money, money.”

I asked a pauper, and he faintly said “bread, bread, bread.”

I asked a drunkard, and he loudly called for strong drink.

I asked the multitude around me, and they lifted up a confused cry, in which I heard the words, wealth, fame and pleasure.

I asked a poor man who had long borne the character of an experienced Christian; he replied that his wishes could be met by Christ. He spoke seriously, and I asked him to explain. He said, “I greatly desire three things—first, that I may be found in Christ; secondly, that I may be like Christ; thirdly, that I may be with Christ.—Tonawanda Chief.”