The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24
THE YOUNG RULERS QUESTION.
BY MARGARET JuNxIN PRESTON.

Anu dressings VI ali UOSAeS,
None had fairer portion
In beautiful Galilee.
Whatever this world could offer
Of pure and innocent bliss
Whatever his nature needed
OF goodliest gifts-was his.
He had felt no weary longings-
No wants that were unsupphed;
Upright, and just, and noble,
His spirit was satisfied.
Only one thought had power
Ever doubt to cast
Joy, to be wholly perfect,
Must be a JOY to last
1.s.l sssskns~Ahat-b -b;;s a--~s-s ItssaASA-~-
For he read in the sacred Psalm,
That man must fade as a flower,
And it sometimes marred his calm.
he turned to the holy Prophets,
Security thence to draw;
And he listened to Moses teachings,
And he strove TO keep the Law.
He tithed his anise and cummin-
he tithed his mint and rue
He knsso he had earth's best treasures
He hoped he had heavens too.
In the mart of busy city
1t came to pass, one day,
That a thrOng of curious people
Were choking the narrow way,
All pressing with upturned faces,
Eager to hear and see
The miracle working Rabbi
Who had come to Galilee.
-"Now, verify, what viii it profit
A man, tho he gain the whole
Of the world, with its utmost glory,
II yet he should lose his soul?
"Come unto nae, ye weary"
Dropped on the passing ear
Of the young and happy Ruler,
For he could not choose but hear.
He did not pause to listen
As he skirted the crowd, but went
Homeward athwart the city,
Wrapped in his sweet content.
Yet ever and oft, the Teacher
Rose in his inward eye;
Over and over the question
Waited his hearts reply.
Bliss that should be eternal
Pleasures that could not cloy-
These were the very blessings
Needed to crown his joy
Again through the palm-girt highways,
When noontide's sultry fame
Was soaring the happy vineyards,
The wonderful Teacher came.
And the Ruler hailed His coming;
For harvest or vintage cheer
Never had silenced the question
That troubled his restless ear.
Fastening, he sought the Prophet
Whose words had walked the strife;
-''What shall do, good Master,
To inherit eternal hfe?'
AS he kneeled so young and guileless,
Single in aim and art
Jesus, seeing him, loved him,
Tho He read his inmost heart
And he answered and said, as gently
As father would say TO son:
-'sThou knowest the Ten Commandments
And he spake them one by one.
A look that was half reproaehful
The eye of the Saviour met;
-''I have kept them even from childhood
Master, what lack yet?'
And Jesus, seeing him, loved him,
And human sympathy stole,
As He gazed on the earnest plesder,
Deep into His sacred soul.
All blessings this life could bring him
Even now were his, He knew;
But he coveted both possessions
The earthly and heavenly too.
Never diviner pity
Melted the mournful eye,
Never a tearfuller yearning,
Than softened the firm reply
"Only one thing thou laekest;
Give up thy portion here
All of thy stored abundance
Everything heart holds dear;
"Choose thee between the blessings
This-or the life to be:
Thou shalt have treasure in heaven,
If thou wilt follow mel
A sudden, surprised detection
Flooded the lifted face
Doubling and disappointment
Darkened the wistful gaze.
Verify, this was doctrine
Hard for the flesh and sore;
This was a selfdenying
Never conceived before
Had there been half required,
Then he might heed the call:
Dignities, loves, possessions
How could he yield them all?
Bitter the stern exaetion
Fell on his heart that day;
And wayering-wishing- choosing
He sorrowfully went away.
-Ye who have read and marvelled
That Jesus, who loved him so,
Should let him depart unhindered,-
Win ye, like the Ruler, go?
Ponder the solemn question
Deep in each conscience set,
Asking in soul-hke earnest,
master, what lack yet?"
Choose ye, as every seeker
Who fudeth Him truly doth,
Earthly, or Heavenly treasure
For ye cannot inherit both
Ye may be near the kingdom
Nearer than any know
And Jesus may love and pity,
And yet-Hs may let yOU go!
Would we do our Heavenly Father ],