The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-04-06
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
POVERTY OF PIOUS PEOPLE.
ARE PIoUs PEOPLE DOOMED TO BE Pool

ARE PIoUs PEOPLE DOOMED TO BE POOR!
l have often pondered over that question,
and have at last come to the conclusion, that
such is generally the case. l have seen many
professors of religion struggle hard to ac-
quire wealth; they seemed to get along well
for time, but at last some unexpected Ca
lamity came upon them, and they were left
penniless with large families to support.
Their situation appeared to be lamentable
one; but in the end it did not prove to be SO.
Their children turned out better than the
children of members of the church, who
were in more prosperous circumstances
They became industrious and pious, and oc
cupied high position in society, while the
children of the rich, too often fell into habits
of intemperance, and became wild, proAigate
and worthless. So l said, poverty is not al
ways curse; it is sometimes blessing.
That reflection ought to give some comfort
at the present time to many pious persons
who are struggling hard to obtain the com
mon necessaries of life for themselves and
their families. A dark day has come upon
them, but they must not despair. 1t was
necessary that their faith should be put to
severe trial. Perhaps they were too proud,
poverty has been sent upon them to make
them humble. Many are the uses of adver-
sity. Parents are often afflicted for the BEN
eft of their children.
But is it true that poverty is the lot of
pious people? 1t was so in ancient times.
Saint Paul said, "not many rich men are
called;" and who can forget the memorable
words" How hardly shall they that have
riches enter into the kingdom of God? For
it is easier for camel to 60 through nee
dies eye, than for a rich man to enter into
the kingdom of God" No more presume
need be said upon the subject. The history
of Gods people teaches US that they have of
ten at least, been poor. They are so now,
but they never get quite so low down in the
vale of poverty, as many of the wicked
They commonly have food and raiment !;
and are seldom reduced to absolute want.
And then too, the providence of God works
in wonderful ways in sending them kind
friends to help them out of their difficulties.
An amiable young man once said to me on
the hurricane deck of steamboat in the Mis-
sissippi river, 81 mean to have a sugar
plantation in five years" "Let me see your
hand, sir" l replied. He stretched it out,
and after looking like fortune-teller at the
palm of his hand for few minutes, with a
solemn, mysterious air l said to him, "Sir,
YOU will never be rich man." He wanted
to know how l could tell. l replied that |
could divine; and that he had better lay up
his treasure 'where moth could not corrupt,
and thieves could not break through and
steal" He said, ''that he wanted to be a
rich man, and get to heaven too" l told
him that the thing was impossible; that ne
must either have his evil things in this life,
and his good things in the world which is to
come, or that he must have his good things
in this life and his evil things in the world
which is to come. That he might make his
election, but he could not have both. He
seemed perplexed and made no reply. 1t
has been many years since that conversation
took place. That young man has never be-
come rich in this worlds goods, but hope
that he is endeavoring to lay up treasure in
heaven.
Who is there that does not wish to be rich
and to get to heaven likewise? Yet how
few have ever been able to secure the object
so much desired? Poverty is the frequent
lot of the righteous, and riches rather the
exception to it. Then let no one complain,
if he finds it difficult with the utmost indus
try to do more than simply make living in
these exceedingly trying circumstances in
which we are at present placed. Our pow
erty may be blessing; the Christian
graces flourish best in the vale of adversely.
w.