The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-18
ALL ABOUT RICHES.
How MilliOnaires May Gain En-.
trance to Heaven.

ut is easier for a camel TO pass through
the eye of needle than for rich man to
enter the Kingdom of Heaven"
When DR.. Easton read this Oft-Quoted
passage from the Gospel of Mark to his con-
gregati0n at Calvary Presbyterian Church
Sunday evening, the auditors settled down to
an unusual degree Of attention aud listened
eagerly to the pastors Interpretation Of
what Is undoubtedly the hardest thing in the
Bible for the layman to understand.
That the disciples did not grasp the full
meaning to this text" said the speaker, SIS
evidenced by the question which they put to
Christ Immediately after he had uttered the
words above quoted. They were surprised
and marveled much concerning the intent of
the words, and were exceedingly anxious
that the Great Teacher should explain fully
the idea he would convey. We are told by
some-and very profound scholars at that
that under the veil of metaphor Christ in
tended TO compare the eye of a needle to
one OF the small gates of an Eastern city.
through which camel could pass only with
the greatest difficulty.
WHAT CHRIST MEANT.
"There are several objections to this in
depreciation, and it has never stood tile test
of close analysis. Christ meant exactly
what lie said, aud intended to show the dis
ciples that 1t was an utter lmpoSsibility for
q rich man TO get place in heaven. What
are we TO understand by the word Million
aire? What does the Bible mean by rich
mau? man may have ten millions and be
called rich in some communities, but with
the Goulds. Vanderbilts and Astors he
would not be so considered. Therefore in
great commercial community like this it
is OF frSt Importance TO understand what
the Bible means by rich man, for surely
no sane being would be willing to accumu-
late millions on the express condition of
losing his soul.
WHAT CONSTITUTES WEALTH.
ut is evidently not the possession of any
given amount which makes a man rich. A
farmer worth hundred and twenty-five
millions might be considered poor when
compared with man having ten millions,
so that the term rich is a relative one. The
possession OF even seventy millions does not
absolutely determine man to be wealthy.
Great riches create great necessities, and il
is truly astonishing how men like to regu-
late the OUTLAWS OF others. If we call man
rich who has more than enough to carry on
his business legltimateIy, who can decide
what is legitimateP Now for Christ's mean
ing when he said to his Disciples 1t is
easier for rich man. etc. He meant that
man who trusts in his riches cannot get
within the gates of the heavenly city.
THERE'S HOPE FOR nLLIoNAIREs.
God does not save millionaire. Twill
go further and say that he cannot save one
yet further, and say that he dare not save
one who trusts in his earthly possessions,
but where wealth is consecrated to its high
est use :hen 100000 can go through the
eye of an needle as easily as 70 cents.
when mans millions are squandered
In foolish qualification of pride, building
mansions, castles and stables fit for palaces,
in the face of the fact that vast multitudes
are perishing for the want of food
we brand it as an infamy. When hav-
ing thus administered to self alone. having
lead a life of selfish ease and dissipated
luxury, leaving no other monument behind
than millions of railroad stock and houses
uselessly vacant, no sweet charities, no hos
pitfalls, no asylums-such beings are showed
Off INTO eternity as pauperS-eternal pau
pers."
DR.. EAston closed by eloqueatly urging
conservation of wealth, arguing that the ac-
emulation of money il no crime before
God. provided ii is devoted to noble pur-
poses and not worshiped as the only aim
aud object of life.