The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-01-14

The teaching of the disciples by para
bles was the simple. yet comprehensiv
method adopted by the Savior, and tn
story of His teachings is familiar to tn
people who read sacred history. Th
parable of the text quoted above wa
that poor man named Lazarus, wht
begged for the crumbs which fell from
the table of a certain rich man, who, cla(
in purple and fine linen, Jared sumptu
ouslG every day. Th lesson taught ii
that while death does not end all, it end
the advantage of the rich over the poor
in fact, it often reverses the fates, ant
the rich man of time becomes the beggal
of eternity. The man who reclines upoI
downy pillows in the temporal existence
ofttimes tosses upon beds of torture in
the spiritual. 1t is an easy matter to
enjoy the social standing the world ac
cords to one possessing little greater
earthly store than his fellow 1t is easy
to make light of the ragged coat, the
ungainly patched boots, the rent hat, OF
the over-well ventilated pantaloons. II
is easy, when but the value of few
dollars separates the conceited child OF
fortune from his less fortunate fellow, to
adopt style of conduct which is agoniz-
ng-distressing. But there comes time
when the poor and oppressed of earth
will shine as the stars, and the dollars OF
the rich of earth win melt away
before the intense heat of Divine
wrath, or Internal retribution. The
picture of the text is good one and
true to life, and to justice. The poor man
was an object of contempt. not pity, to
the rich man. The latter had no thought
of the future, perhaps, beyond the solici-
tude as to means for still further aug
menting his worldly wealth. What could
that miserable vagabond have in the fu-
ture, in common with the stylish one of
earth?
Yet when the great change came, and
the rich man was compelled to throw
aside the tinsel and show of wealth, and
| he had the extreme sorrow of beholding
the contemplate beggar safely nesting
! in Abraham's bosom. Such are the dis
| appointments wrought by death. The
mistake made by mankind is that no
thought is given to anything beyond the
present moment. We are proud in our
victory over our less fortunate neighbor
now; we cannot conceive of the possi-
bility of his ever being placed upon an
equal footing with ourselves. Yet we
are liable to undergo terrible awaken
ing, when it is too late to avail us any
thing.
A certain rich man lived upon a large
landed estate, surrounded by everything
which wealth could procure. He enjoyed
his beautiful and luxurious home for a
year, during all of which time poor
man occupied small cabin upon the
farm, and toiled every day for small
pittance. AT the close of the year the
rich man was enjoying his wealth, and
his poor servant endured his frugal fare
uDcomplainingly. Each seemed happy
and satisfied with his station. Another
year goes by, and the rich man is still en-
joying his wealth; but with possibly a
slightly less degree than before, for there
is not the vigorous exercise upon which
rests perfect health. The poor laborer
plods along contentedly, as before, laying
up little of his small earnings, and get
ting ready for possible future needs. An
other year, and another, go by without
any apparent change in the relative posi-
tions of two men as regards worldly
wealth. The poor man perhaps gains a
little, steadily, while the rich man adds
to his already large store of wealth. But
the physical manhood is greatly different
The rich mrn has become irritable, and
impatient, and sick. At the end of few
years we find him dying, his mind cling
ing to no thought but his worldly wealth,
and muttering imprecations upon imag-
mary business rivals. Thus he goes
down to the grave, and but for the costly
marble shaft that marks the resting
place would soon be forgotten. With his
last glance he looks toward the cabin
over the way, only to behold his poor
neighbor plodding along as usual, the
very picture of health and contentment,
satisfied with the world, beloved by his
acquaintance, and with record for
good deeds which insures him glorious
future. Think you that the man who
Adu UCCOluC l1Ch NY oAO PoOA3
would not exchange all his wealth for
the perfect health and happiness of the
contented toiler? He may not see his
poor neighbor reposing in Abraham's
bosom, but he has the consciousness that
his poor friend has improved his years
upon the earth by not only securing con-
tent in this life, but laying up treasures
in the world beyond.
The language of the passage sounds
harshly. There is something startling in
the thought of one lifting up his eyes in
torment, yet such a state will only come
as result of ones own waywardness and
wickedness. 1t is sometimes well that a
man is compelled to lift up his eyes in
torment, even in this world. 1t awakens
a quickened realization that there is
side to mortal existence which is not en-
joyable 1t brings to the mind, very
forcibly, that man is not master of him.
self, but must come under the approba-
tion OF censure of a law entirely above
and beyond his control. If, then, man is
tormented in this world, how much
greater will be the torment in the spir-
itual existence?
There is great pursuer upon the track
of every man who is thoughtless or care
less as to his future. This pursuer can
not be purchased or bribed by the glitter
90 wealth. His pursuit is as relentless as
death itself, and he reaches with deter
mined clutch after his victim. There is
just one way to elude him-and only one.
That man who would not lift up his eyes
in torment and beg for drop of water
from the poor neighbor or friend whom
he had cruelty wronged, should elude the
great pursuer by getting out of the way,
and taking another path. That is the