The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-06-07
Gboire AeaQjng,
MANS JUDGgqENT.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

" I wouldn't give much for his chance
of heaFeu," was the remark of man
whose well worn garments contrasted
strongly with the dark, rich broadcloth
cf the person to whom he referred. In
the tones of the individual who uttered
this sentence, vas clear y apparent Salts
faction at the thought OF lis r.ch neigh
boris doubtful cha ee Of final salvation
It was on the Sabbath, and both had just
passed forth from the sacred ediicc, to
which each had that morning gone up for
the avowed end of worship.
"Why do you say that" asked a
friend to whom the remark was addressed.
"You know the scriptures" was the
confident answer. How hardly shall
they who have -lches enter the kingdom
of heaven"
You believe, then, that the mere fact
of possessing riches will keep man out
of heayen2
"No; l wouldn't just like to say that
But, richea harden the heart, and make
men unfit for heaven"
q doubt if riches harden the heart
more than poverty" was replied.
How can you say SO? was warmly
objected. . Isn't the promise everywhere
% the poor? To whom was the Gospel
sent ?"
"The rich and the poor spoken of in
the word Of God" said tie friend, " do
not, it is plain, mean simply those in the
world who possess natural riches, or who
are in natural poverty Remember, that
the Bible is revelation Of spiritual truth
for mans eternal salvation and that its
teachings must lave primary regard to
what is spiritual, and refer to mans erer
nal state rather than to his mere worldly
condition, Remember that the Lord
while on earth, said: Blessed are the
poor in spirit, (not the poor in this
worlds goods) 'tor theirs is the kingdom
Of heaven And we may, without vlo-
lence to even the letter of the Word, con-
clude that when He speaks of its being
hard for the rich to enter the kingdom Of
heaven, that only the proud in spirit,
those who rested self-conhdent on the
riches of tneir worldly and natural wis
dom. were meant. That it wGuld be ca
sier for a camel to 90 through the eye OF
a needle than ior such rich men to enter
heaven, is plain from our Lords words
when he set a child in the midst of his
disciples, and told them that unless they
became as that little child they could not
enter the kingdom of heaven. Not ex-
ternally and naturally as that child, for
that was impossible; but poor IL spirit;
teachabe, and innocent as child"
The first speaker, whose name was Max,
well, tossed his head, and slightly curled
his lip as he replied
Il believe just what the Bible says.
As for yo1r meanings, never 60 to
them. a plain, matter-of-faot man, |
understand what is written IN plain,
matter-of- fact way. The Bible says, they
who have riches, shall hardly enter the
kingdom of heaven. And [ can see how
true the saying is. As for Clinton, OF
whom | spoke just now, | repeat that |
would Mt give much lot his cLdhSe' II
is we'll that there is just God in heav-
ell, and that there will come day of ret
ribution. The Dives have their good
things in this fife; bat our turn will come
afterwards We ahan't be always poor.
Lazarus went beg2 al from the rich man S
door, and was received into Abraham
bosom"
"What has made you so bitter against
Clinton, Just now 2" enquired the friend.
a am not bitter against him, IN par
ticular. | speak of rich men as a class.
They are all selfish, unfeeling, and op-
pressive. Look at the good Clinton might
do, as steward of Gods bounty, if he
chose. He might make our wilderness
blossom as the rose. But settlement day