The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-15
THE HEARTS OF MEN.
Created BY God They Can Only BE Filled
by Him

Mems hearts are the same now as in
the days OF King Solomon Their designs
pursuits, and complaints are parallel
They set up for themselves and worship
false godS-money, fame, genius, WorIu,
ly prosperity And these are expected
to bring peace and happiness; but alas'
like the great king they find them TO De
only vanity and yeXation OF spirit. rms
is the wrong way OF seeking. Mere
earthly gain is painful in It's eohdIuoIls.
We by no means ind that the more
things We know, the more THINGS w
have, increases our happiness. me SIM
pie reason is that all such seeking mas
It's abode in the understandlns' Whi,S
true knowledge and true wisdom mas ltS
place in the heart. In word happi
ness is n state in which We are al equal,
iv concerned TO attain; but wealth ana
knowledge are accessible only TO rev.
Happiness has its seat In the heart Dut
wealth and knowledge are not adapted
to satisfy our affections; therefore wealth
or knowledge cannot be supposed 70
constitute the proper happiness OF man,
without which he is made in vain.
Says Ruskin in regard to TINS theme;
1T must be felt at once that the N
crease Of knowledge merely as such
does not make the soul larger or smaller;
that In the sight OF God all the knoNi-
edge man can gain IS as nothing, but
that the soul for which the great scheme
of redemption was laid, be il ignorant
or be il wise, is all IN all; and IN The
activity, strength, health, and well-belng
OF this soul lies the main difference IN
his sight between one man and another.
And that which is All in all in God 8
estimate is also all in all in mans Ia
Dor; and to have the heart open and the
eyes clear and the emotions and thoughts
warm and quick and not the knowing
of this or the other fact. IS the state
needed for all mighty doing in this world.
Therefore let us take no pride in our
knowledge. We may in certain sense
be proud of being immortal. we may be
proud of being Gods children; We may
be proud OF loving. thinking. seeing, and
OF all that we are by no human teaching.
but not Of what we have been taught
by rote.
With respect to knowledge we are 20
reason and act exactly as with respect
TO food We no more live TO know than
we live to eat. We live TO contemplate,
enjoy. act, adore: and We may know all
that is 10 be known in this world and
what Satan knows in the other without
being able to do any Of these. We are
10 ask, therefore, first. is the knowledge
We would have NJ food for us good and
simple. not artificial and decOratedt and,
secondly, how much OF il viii enable us
best for our work, and leave our hearts
light and our eyes clear
The right way, then. TO seek this wis
dom Is not by laying up for ourselves
treasures upon the earth, or by craving
perpetually for greater advantages. intel
lect or talent, hut by opening our hearts
to the teaching OF divine love. soul
that was made for God cannot be salts
He'd with the things Of this world Christ
must be allowed to enter and take up
his abode there. Then through his love
we may attain the perfect wisdom which
Is FAR better than all earthly knowledge
or any benefits under the sun. for all
these pass away. but the wisdom aud
tidn Work.