Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-04-15
&eadiug fur the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
fOriginal.1
THE RICH YOUNG MAN.

(Origlnal.]
THE RICH YOUNG MAN.
The conversations of our Saviour are al
ways very instructive and they have in
them q peculiar freshness. AS related by
the Evangelists, they are intensely simple
and fascinating, but, at the same time, full
God, and solemn warning for the worldling,
hypocrite and mere nominal Christian. At
some point in the valley of the Jordan, but
at what particular place, and at what par
ticular time, is not certainly known, a con-
versation between our Saviour and a GER
tain individual occurred which is intensely
interesting in all its parts. 1t is recorded
by Matthew Chapter 10: 1880, by Mark
Chapter O:17-3D, and by Luke Chapter
IS: 1S-31), in nearly the same words. This
certain man is often referred to by minis
tiers in their sermons, as 'the young man in
the gospel"
The first thing that arrests our attention
with regard to this individual is the indef-
mite way in which he is described. His
name is not given, neither are we told
whether he was q Jew or a Gentle. Mat
thew states that lone came and said to him
Ito jesus Good Master" Mark says, "there
carme one running, and kneeled to him."
Luke calls him "acertain ruler" Matthew
relates ffarrrii... hiififnnHhat he wasa 'syonng
man." We may suppose thathe was a Jew
and that he heldsome ecclesiastical position,
or we may suppose that he was a Gentle
and held some civil Office. Nothing is said
with regard to his family or family connec-
tons, neither is anything said as to the par
ty with which he was connected. In this
vague description there is something very
worthy of note. The man was a represent
alive character. The world has in it to-day
many who may see their own features in
this "young ruler"
The next thing brought to our attention
is the interest which he manifested in his
own welfare, and the confidence which he
appeared to have in Jesus as a teacher.
Mark says he came running to the Saviour
and kneeled to him. All three of the Evan
gelists state the conversation of our Saviour
with this young man as having taken place
Immediately after some individuals had
brought little children to the Saviour that
he might touch them. This young man,
whoever he was, may have been present
when the Saviour took the children up in
his arms and blessed them. 1t is probable
that he was present and that his heart was
touched by what the Saviour said and did
on that occasion. When the Saviour was
going away from the place where the chill
dren were brought to him into the road, the
young man came running up to him, and
having reached him, kneeled to him. This
may have been an act of worship, or it may
have been only an act of respect to the Sa-
viour. He addressed the Saviour as Good
Master, or Good Teacher. From the answer
of our Saviour we are led to conclude that
the 'young rulers" notions of the Saviour
were not we'll defined, or that he did not
mean to express by the words "Good Mas
ter" what the words really do express. In
haste-in the same breath in which he adj
dressed the Saviour as Good Master, he
asked him, "What shall I do that may in
herit eternal life" The original, as record
ed by Luke, is more emphatic and far more
suggestive than the translation. Literally
translated it would read, "Good Master, by
having done what shall I inherit eternal
life" AS we learn afterwards, he was rich,
and still desired to add to his possession by
doing something which would give him a
legal title to eternal life. In this his carnal
nature shows itself. He desired eternal
life, but his ideas of eternal life were carnal,
and he desired to obtain it by carnal means.
There are multitudes to-day, and always
will be, who desire eternal life, notthe eter-
nal life of which Jesus Christ is the author,
but an imaginary eternallif which has an
existence only in their carnal minds, and
which they desire to inherit by doing some
thing, not by faith in the doing and dying
of Jesus Christ.
Our Saviour replied to the young ruler,
"ThOu knoWest the commandments. do
not commit adultery. Do not kill. DO not
steal. Do not bear false witness. Defraud
not. Honor thy father and thy mother"
The commandments here mentioned en-
brace the second table of the law, or that
part of the ten commandments which has
special reference to our duty to our fellow
men. The young ruler promptly replied,
"Master, I have kept all these from my
youth" In all probability, so far as the
letter of these commandments is concerned,
the young ruler spoke the truth. He wasa
gentleman, in the usual acceptation of that
word. He was punctual in discharging his
duty to his fellow-man. He looked down
upon the vile adulterer with contempt; he
was honest and prided himself in his hon
esty; he was truthful, regarding it unlnan-
ly and unbecoming his station to bear false
witness; he regarded his word as good as
his bond, and he not only honored his father
and mother, but he honored and treated
with proper respect, his superiors, both in
age and position. This is high praise, but
there are many to-day of whom the same
thing might be said. Much of it might be
said truthfully of some of the heather.
Nenophon says in substance, the same thing,
with the exception of adultery, concerning
Cyrus, and no one ever questioned his truth
fitness. About this young ruler there was
something amiable. The Saviour loved
him, not with that love which he bestoWs
upon believers, but with that love which he
bestows upon all those who conduct them
selves becominglytoward their fellow-man.
No doubt the young ruler thought the Sa-
viour would say to him, "Hou are a high
toned gentleman, faithful in the discharge
of all the duties you W to your clio
mon. and this entities YOU to eternal life.