The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-10-17
.Anaersp,t gateltigeueer,
Are Riches Desirable 2
INesleuan Christian Adu0cGt,

Wesleyan Christian Adu0asc,
MR.. EDITOR; Some years since pub.
lished in pamphlet form for gratuitous
distribution series of letters to young
men upon the subject of Success sad
Failure !; Making and Saving"
As the issue Of three Thousand copies
is nearly exhausted, I have concluded,
while resting in roy Nacoochee home, to
revise and relinquish the letters, adding
few chapters upon "Riches" and upon
"Human Life" am frequently asked the
question, "Are Riches Desirable" Also
els Life a Failure?"
These are questions of momentous ina.
port, as they treat on the life that now is
and on life eternal. The desirableness of
anything depends not only upon the val.
ue it is to life, but more particularly 70
the life that it is to come. If we admit
that riches will really prevent mau's
securing. eternal life, then wealth is not
desirable. But is a rich man's money
greater hindrance to his being = Chris
tian thrn poverty is hindrance TO the
poor man !?
These are questions for US to consider
seriously. Of course nearly everything
depends upon the Use that is made OF
riches, whether they shall prove
blessing or curse. The same is true of
the use we make of life. In investigating
every question affecting our spiritual, as
we'll as our temporal welfare, wemust re.
ly upon the Scriptures for our only true
guidance, for they touch upon every phase
of. human character, and the human
heart.
We fud in the narrative of the man
who inquired Of Christ how he might
obtain eternal life, that everything went
smoothly with himuntis he was told he
mus. sell his possessions and distribute
the money TO the poor, and follow
Christ.
Tho young man fattered himself that
as he had kept all the commandments, he
was ready for the Kingdom. of heaven, but
when he found to gain eternal life that
he must part with bis riches, he went
away "sorrowful," for he had ''great
possessions" This young man must have
been of excellent character, for Christ
loved him. When our Saviour saw how
10th he was to part with bis riches,
Christ said to his disciples: "How hard
ly shall they that have riches enter the
kingdom of heaven" He further said,
sit is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of q needle than for a rich man to
enter the Kingdom of God" Well might
1.-The disciples exclaim, ."Who can be
| saved7" The answer of Christ was,
with God all thingu are possible" Do
not many Of the difficulties Of the rich
ariss from the fact that they make an
idol of their money instead of making the
proper use oft? Many persons worship
mammon more than they do their God.
Its written, ye cannot serve God and
mammon. Ihaye long been convinced
that an inordinate love of money leads
multitudes to ruin. Covetousness is
original ain, and is consequently. the pre-
vailing form of sel6shness in the hearts
of the entire human family, rich and
poor. Nolhing but the grace Of God can
/ save them from its baneful effects. 1t is
a fact that the poor mans heart is as
much filled with covetousuess as the.
rich Woman's.
If the possessions of even the best men
could talk we would learn lots of tolls,
struggles, anxieties, and frequently of
guilt in procuring them.
Our prayer should be like that of
Ager's:asking for "neither poverty, nor
riches" lest riches might make him
deny his God, or poverty make him
! steal.
j., If some people would lessen their
desires, their wants would be less. One
means of overcoming covetousness and
Of making money desirable and useful is
Willingness to share our wealth with the
poor and needy. This requires an entire
change of the heart. It is not enough for
man to strive 10 keep the command
ment if he%hoards bis money. Itisas
important for parents to train their chill
dren to habits Of Christian benevolence
as 1t is to tesch them the art of saving
and making money. A. great drawback
to wealth ia the harm that it is liable to
do the children of those who possess it.
1t is common belief, but not entirely
correct, that rich mems sons are permit
ted to grow up in idleness, luxury pro.
faneness and intemperance, which makes
them worthless. This is too often The
fault OF the parents aud evil associates,
and not of riches.
Wealth, when properly used is good
thing, and should be diligently sought
after. There is no wrong in the posses
sion of wealth, but money should not be
boarded or used for self indulgence, but
for the good that can be done with it.
We should be frugal. but not parsimo.
nious, generous, but not extravagant.
All should work for success, and success
means wealth. Wealth brings with it
power, and at the same time cares and
responsibilities that few can realize. 1t
is more difficult to uss money wisely
and humanely than it is to make it.
Money is important in every rela-