Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-02-26
From the Lady's Wreath.
MAy'S JUDGMENT.
DY +. s. ARTHUR.

i
whose coarse, well-worn garments con-
trasted strongly with the dark, rich
broadcloth Of the person to whom he
referred. In the tones of the individual
who uttered this sentence, was clearly
apparent satisfaction at the thought of
his rich neighbor's doubtful chance of
final salvation. II was on the Sabbath.
aud both had Just passed forth from the
sacred edifce, TO which each had that
morning gone up for the avowed end Of
worship.
'Why do you say that!" asked the
friend TO whom the remark was address
ed. "a
"You know the scriptures" was the
confident answer. "How hardly shall
they who have riches enter into the
kingdom of heaven
"You believe, then, that the mere fac;
Of possessing riches will keep man
out of heaven!'' 81
mo; | wouldn't just like TO say that.
But, riches harden the heart, and make
men unfit for heaven"
81 doubt if riches harden the heart
more than poverty" was replied. p
"How can you say so?' was warmly
objected. .Is'nt the promise every where
to the poor! TO whom was the gospel
sen,!" t@
"The rich and poor spoken Of in the
word Of God," said the friend, '.do not,
it is plain, mean simply those in the
xun snthn
who are in natural poverty: Remember,
that the Bible is revelation of spiritual
truth .or mans eternal salvation; and
that its teachings must have primary re-
gard TO what is spiritual, and refer to
mans internal state rather than 10 his
more worldly condition. Remember,
that the Lord, while on earth, said:-
"Blessed are the poor in spirit mot the
poor IN this worlds goods) rfor theirs is
the kingdom of heaven -
..And we may, without violence to
even the letter of the Word, conclude,
that when He speaks Of its being hard
for the rich to enter the kingdom of aea-
zen, that only the proud in spirit, those
who rested self-contident on the riches of
their worldly and natural wisdom, were
meant. That it would be easier for a
camel TO go through the eye of needle
than for such rich men TO enter heaven,
is plain from our Lords words when he
set child 10 the midst O: his disciples,
and told them that unless they became
as that little child they could not enler
The Kingdom Of heaven. Not externally
and naturally as that child, for that was
impossible; but poor in spirit, teachable,
and innocent as child. 20
The first speaker, whose name was
Maxwell, tossed his head, and slightly
curled his lip as he replied
IL believe just what The Bible says
As for your forced meanings, | never go
TO them. A plain, ma,ter-of-fact man, |
understand what is written in plain,
matier-of-fact way. The Bible says,
that they who have riches, shall hardly
enter the kingdom of heaven. And |
can see how true the saying is. As for
Clinton, of whom lspoke just now, re-
peat that wouldn't give much for his
chance. |. is well tha. there is jus,
God in heaven, and that there will come
day of retribuiion. The Dives have
their good things in this life; but our turn
will come afterwards. We shant be al
ways poor. Lazarus went, beggar,
from the rich mans door, and was re-
ceived into Abraham's BOSOM"
"What has made you SO bitter against
Clinton, Just now!" enquired the friend.
"l'm not bitter against him. in parlicu-
lar. speak Of rich men as q class
They are all selfish, unfeeling, and op-
pressivc. Look at the good Clinton
might do, as steward Of Gods bounty,
if he chose. He might make our wilder
ness blossom as the rose. But settle
ment day will come, ere long, and then
a sorry account Of his stewardship will
he have to rcnder."
|. "How do you know that the account
will not be approved in heaven?' was
asked ina quiet Voice.
"Approved! How do ! know!" ejac-
ulated Maxwell, impatiently. "Any
man can see that he is an unfaithful, hard
hearted and oppressive steward"
"Has he oppressed you!" a.l .Haat
"Yes." hf $500
ag"Ah! was not aware Of that.
didn't know that you had any claims up
on him as an almoner Of heaven"
"My claims are those Of common hu.
mainly. But you shall know all and
judge for yourself. j am a poor man"
"Well-" 4 e3 i2l@
"Wi,h a wife and four children, whom
love as tenderly as Clinton. or any
other purse proud oppressor of The poor
can possibly love his wife and children.
They are dependent for daily bread up
on my daily labor. With the sweat of
my brow, keep hunger from my door,
and cold from entering therein.
,An independent man." said the 9TH
"Yes. thank God! An independent
man; as independent as any nabob in the
land" ppBrE ,ii
.Do let the nabobs alone," was an
swered to this. s.If you are independ-
ent, why care for them! Why permit
yourself to be fretted because others are
b,essed by Providence with greater a.