Des Arc citizen., 1866-12-01
For tke Des Are Citizen. DESIRE OF WEALTH.
BY F. L. STEEL.

f. We next inquire
 What is the proper object of desire?
 Is wealth. with many this appears to be,
 Of all, the greatest object they can sec. 1 This quite absorbs their feeling and thought, And with intense avidity is sought.
 For this they slight the culture ot the mind,
 For this to ignorance they become resigned 1 For this cen comforts to themselves deny, l For this forget that they have soon to die. | Why all this mischief? Let Us take Q view Of everything unbounded wealth can do l And see if 1t Is right to be distressed
 Because we lack the wealth by some possess d; l To learn if 1t is this that we require
 To satisfy tAe hearts sincere desire.
 Riches exempt us, itis true, from toll, Possessed herewith we need aot till.tAe soil | We need not exercise ourselves ill trade, For money brings the things by others made. That feeling by which many are annoyed, The shame attached to labor, We avoid; We need not even labor with the mind, 1 frich. unless we feel thereto inclined. However much we wisdom stores neglect, Many will be dispQsed to show respect; | And we may do what others may not dare, l And scarcely let the crime excite care. l The claims Of justice riches can avert If rich, we may do wrong and not be hurt. We can obtain what gratltes the sight, ! And pamper well the craving appetite.
 The body and the mind we thus might please, But would it all supply the heart with ease?
 An. no; whatever profits wealth affords, 1 True bliss cannot be bought " .th golden hoards Why uttered Solomon the grieyous sigh:
 Why '.Vaniiy of vanities" his cry? 1 Could not Lis wealth bring peace into lis heart?
 Hisyast abundance happiness impart Great works he made, and houses reared; 1 His vineyards, doubtless, beautiful appeared; His gardens and his orchards with their trees Did what they could their, wealthy lord tc please.
 His pools of water fer his forest wood Afforded every profit that they coal4S His numerous servants, men and ala;d5
 cssayed
 To make him happy by their constant aid. Of gold and silver he possessed enough, Could bliss have been secured by shining
 stuff
 Whatever sounds sweet music could employ, We're made to help to fill his soul with joy The world regarded him as great ard wise, And nought he kept back from his longing
 eyes;
 Nor to his heart denied he anything Which to it he believed would pleasure bring But ali his spirit must yexation feel, Which all his riches had not power to heal; Because he had left off to fear the Lord, And needed not as formerly his word. Yea, l have seen and hence can testify
 That it is true which many men deny, That wealth alone, however great the hoard Cannot to man true happiness afford. One, once l knew, whose wretched case may 1 Employ to prove the truth of what 1 say: l Large was his farm and fertile was his soil, 1 And mum rous were his slaves thereon to toil And everything that money could command,
 It seemed he could with ease have brought tC hand.
 Was he not happy? Nay, methnks that he | Was true picture of true misery. 1 His home was desolate his second wife
 Left him to wenu his way alone through life; | His widowd daughters conduct was 50 base l That she had fallen into deep disgrace; 1 His eldest sons despised each other so
 As to produce within him greater woe; 1 With its one of his younger oft was seized,
 His mind was feeble and frame diseased.
 Early in life he went down to the grave, i Nor had his fathers wealth the power to save
 His youngest son, at college far away, ] A victim fell to death relentless sway.
 And when this rich man died, no child wa. there
 To show to his remains the proper care; 1 They seized his servants and with them lied,
 And left the neighbors to inter the dead.
 0 boasted wealth, thy poverty we see!
 Why didst thou let those numerous evils be
 Why didst thou not with peace domestic bles | That wealthy man, and make his troubles less
 Because sweet peace does not from riche
 spring;
 'Tis not an earthborn, but heavenly thing,