p. 183 | The Cost of an Estate

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 1, 1864

The Cost of an Estate.

"WHAT shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"—Matt. xvi, 26.

"What is the value of this estate?" said a gentleman to another with whom he was riding, as they passed a fine mansion and through rich fields.

"I don't know what it is valued at; I know what it cost its late possessor."

"How much?"

"His soul."

A solemn pause followed this brief answer. The person to whom it was given was not seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

The late possessor referred to was the son of a pious man, who supported his family by the labor of his hands. The son early obtained a subordinate position in a mercantile establishment in the city. He was then a professor of religion. He continued to maintain a reputable profession till he became a partner in the concern. He then gave increasing attention to business and less to religion. Ere he was an old man he had become exceedingly wealthy and miserly, and no one who knew him had any suspicion that he had ever been a professor of religion. He purchased a large landed estate, built the costly mansion referred to above, and died. Just before he died he said, "My prosperity has been my ruin." Of how many individuals and families may it be said that their "prosperity was their ruin."