Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-27
so,AI s.sse rQNoss co. sss yo,x.

rivers OF oil and offerings OF the first
born We're mans ideas Of enforcing his
petitions and gaining acceptance with the
Most High. The divine conditions were
doing Justly, loving mercy. and an humble
soul.
Like most of the old names Of heather
story. Midas IS but type and representa-
tive Of kinds and multitudes Of men that
are likely TO be found while the human
race continues Gold is the standard Of
value I'm the material world. and the
figure Of worth in the immaterial world.
The promise Of the latter day IS: 1 will
make a man more precious than fine
gold, even than the golden wedge Of
Ophir. When Midas. however. asked for
gold he meant the metal Itself and the
power 10 possess all material wealth. and
so control the world. He was answered
literally and taught his lesson.
1t IS an exceedingly common thing for
men 20 got one idea and so 10 devote
themselves to it and become saturated
with it. that everything that they touch
or have to do with is full Of 1t In their
own hearts and minds, and suggests 1t
TO others. They talk shop, they think
shop. they walk shop, and their very
names suggest shop. They eXhale It.
Their fate IS Just like that OF Midas-all
that they touch turns 10 shop. Accord
ing TO the fmallness and commences or
dignity and breadth Of these one-idea
men estimate themselves and are esl-
mated. are acceptable or unacceptable,
are agreeable or bOres. But the dignity
Of n calling is not determined by the eau
ing itself. but by the man that follows il.
Sir Edward Coke was great lawyer In
his day and John Bunyan a tinker Ia
con q great chancellor and Shakespeare
an actor. yet how are these measured
among immortals? Well, even in our Gay
we have among the insienltcants In PLAIN
callings men of the largest and freest
minds and souls, and among the highest
men of high professions and conditions
sbut nm 10 mean and selfish ideas. that
are wholly filled with shop and that can
think and talk of nothing else Ihey
are selfish and foul and worldly through
and through. and absolutely Incapable or
q large and humane thought They can
think Of nothing and talk Of nothing that
does not have 10 do with their business
Arr science. religion, social and domes-
tic life. humanity I'm any phase, mas ITO
Interest for them except as IL bears ON
their ruling idea. Whatever they touch
t,rns into the material Of their value.
We have these Midas cases I'm every cali
ing ana pursuit. from the lowest to the
highest: and it is a question whether
there are not moro OF them and worse OF
what are known rs high levels IMAM l'l
lower walks. Ambition and availce dry
IN the soul and wther humanity. DOW
i'm the lower walks Of lie Knu, i'e-n
feelings and impulses spring ana bIo"
a,,d erroad themselves freely. And ii is
@roro ibem that the material and growth
o. humanity is furnished. our. Lord did
rat select the elements and beginnings or
r rSI Star from society life. nor from
ttn Nth and distinguished. The history
Of c'i' the early church and primitive Chris Chris
tians is all Of the other sort. Great di .,,-
taries seldom failed to cost more Una"
they came to. c,,,to eng
Midas and his experiences are quite sus-
eestive and wholesome.