Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-12-05

Columbus Georgia. Daily Enquirer
| THE RICH MANS CHANCE FOR
| HEAVEN.
The ordinary reader of the Sa-
cred Scriptures is apt to regard in
its literal sense the declaration of
Christ "rhat ii IL easier for n
camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for IL rich man 10 en-
ter into the Kingdom Of God +" In
expanding this text the clergy
also apply ii In It's literal sense, as
a means Of inducing Iiherai contri-
buttons to the church and various
charitable ohjec y, without regard
To what Is understood 10 have been
the meaning and application Of
the expression at the time and age
in which il was used. They infer
entiaily assert. that the rich man
is debarred from all chance of en-
trance INTO the Kingdom Of Heav-
en-, because ii is virtually impossi-
BILE for camel To go through the
eye of needle-ergo, we should
all try to he poor IL we desire 10 es-
cape from everlasting punish
ment,
As ii is mostly The moral, hon
est, sober, industrious and frugal
men in this aye who accumulate
wealth, the sequence should be
that II We hope to ent the King
dom OF Heaven we must give up
all energy and industry, and let
each day provide for Itself, tax
ing no heed for the morrow" We
have never heard this harsh sem
tence explained from the pulpit,
aud as some of our readers who
have accumulated good share of
this worlds goods may feel nerv-
Gus on the subject of their future
chances, it may be right and prop
er to afford then. all the relief in
our power. 1t seems that there
We're "A species of narrow gates in
the wall Of Jerusalem called nee-
dies eye,' and thar 1t was through |
tiiese. and not the veritable eye Of
a needle, that camel Was to find
il SO difficult to pass. Then, again,
the rich man of that day was the
old Roman grandee, whose wealth
was the product OF rapine and
plumber, and not the fruits of in
dustry or of commerce. Ii was an
age Of fillibusters, when nations |
robbed nations, and the strong OPP
pressed the weak when wealth
was seldom accumulated by the |
sweat of the brow or the workings |
Of the brain. The text IL appIica-
BILE, therefore, only to those of the
present day who accumulate
wealth dishonesty, or by grinding
the face OF the poor, who have no
bowels of compassion for the poor
aud unfortunate, the sick and nee
dy; who hoard and worship mon
ey as their god, and fail . to lay up |
for themselves treasures In Heav-
en-, where neither moth nor rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves do |
not break through and stcal.,'
The rich man wo builds ships and |
houses, and keeps the wheels of in
dustry in motion, does more good
in his day and generation than II |
he gave half Of his wealth to the
poor. Indiscriminate almsgiving,
as human nature IL now constitut-
ed, begets Incidence and vice, and
does more harm than got q. Ifhis |
wealth is so used asto give employ
ment and good living wages to his |
fellow-man. The rich man Is a
philanthr0pist, and may he
good Christian, although he
may go on accommodating !
to the close of his earthly career. /
The millionaire who gathers his |
wealth in pile, and only uses il
to loan at u5uriou5 rates Of inter-
est and taking unfair advantages
Of the necessities of his fellow man |
may, however, find the camel |
aud the needles eye applicable I
To himsel when death compels |
him to close up his shaving shop.
John Hopkins was very wealthy I
man and although not famous dun
ing his life time for charity. so |
used his money as to do a vast |
amount of good in his day and |
generation. He gave employment |
to thousands OF his fellow men,
and was foremost ia ell enterprises
that were calculated 10 promote |
and advance the prosperity OF the |
city and State. Hp iai,,rcd for the |
accomplishment of 9reat work
of philanthropy. and regarded
himself as trustee, haviag de-
voted his wealth 10 q specific OBJ |
ject. He made little 90 40 profess
sion of religious conviction, but
he did much more good in this |
world with his wealth than he |
could possible have effected had he
gone to the grave a poor man. Mr. |