The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-07-15
Gold or God?

We all Of lis are familiar with Hoffman's
wonderful painting OF Christ and the
Young ruler. Many of us have framed in
our homes the head Of Christ taken from
it, and we know the power OF those pic
tured eyes, the wonderful drawing quality
that the artist has put into that face. We
know what an influence that picture has
been in our own lives.
And if mere mans ideal OF that divine
personality can be so great. what must
have been the strength OF the tie which
drew and tried to bind the heart of the
young ruler to the man Christ Jesus! The
yearning OF Christ's love to him met AZ
answering longing in his own soul. Rich
as he was he was not wholly happy no;
satisfied with mere luxurious existence.
Jesus had called he young man-in
spirit II not by words--but he hesitate0
perhaps to join himself with this crowd OF
fisher folk and humble followers of Christ
Jesus saw through the hesitancy at once
as lie sees through yours and mine some
times. when He has cailcds us to a work
for Him and we draw back. He answered
by u sad searching question: why do YOU
call Me good? There is none good but God
Did Jesus wish to make this wealthy youns
man commit himself by saying that he he
lieved thai Jesus was the Son of God
Did He mean. too. to make him under
stand that in leaving all to follow the SOr
OF God even he, rich and honored as no
was, would lose nothing?
Then He reminded him gently Of the
rules OF right and wrong in which he haC
been reared. and the Young mans answer
showed that he knew he needed something
beyond commandments. and gave permis
sion for Jesus to put His finger upon the
sore point. Then sadly and tenderlv jesus
spoke the words, the thought of which wa
in both their minds. and the young mar
saw that there was a power as strong o
stronger. maybe. drawing him away from
Christ as that which drew him to Him
His possessions! Alas, He is sorrowfu!
lie turns awav alieved He had hoped
perhaps that Christ would find some way
for him to follow and vet keep his gold.
God is often obliged for their own sake.
to feed His children prosperity in very
small spoonfuls.
We are not told whether the Young mar
sod his all to follow Jesus. Probably not
Or it would certainly have been nosec
abroad, and the writer of this story woult
have heard and recorded. But perhap.
God. in mercy, took his possessions avaY
from him in years after. and tenderly
brought him to surrender his proud, ambi
Ions heart. and it may be we shall one day
mC,l him in some humble corner of heav
en-, god that he has won it at last. eve,
tho"gh stripped OF all that he once he'd
dear.
For there seems to be hope for him il,
the very fact that he was sorrowful abou'
it, IT shows that, after all. the drawing
toward Jesus was powerful and ther,
seems, too, announcement for this though
IL Jesus words. "how hardly" showint
thlt i. would be through tribulation thai
tho Young man would enter in.
They stood. very likely. beside the grea'
CITY gates as this talk was going on, i
may have been toward evening and tn,
gates themselves were closed for the night
and only the little gates or doors, so high
no in the large gate that it was difiicui'
Tor any but foot passengers to get through
were still open 1t was the custom to clos,
the large gates az sunset. leaving possibl,
entrance only through these little doors, o.
needles ewes, a. they were called. It
get camel through these openings it wa,
nCedful to take of all his trappings, hii
many burdens and treasures of merchan
disc that he was carving. and literally
drag him through. one foot lifted over at &
time. ,Iesns used always the illustration
10 uoInt His sermon that was nearest az
hand and hest understood. And the listen
erS marveied "a they reflected how few
rich ones would be willing to divost them
selves OF their treasures.
Then Peter expire 7sed tho thought of NJ
o, them, I'VE, at least. MastG," he said,
however many other faults We may have
have eft all to follow Thae." And at once
the Master flashes them His confidence and
Joy and Messing in promise that they
snail not nave done this for nothing; no
no, even as earthly rewards are counted
and for the heavenly the reward shall be-
Revere 1dipg.
Arp'ied Trrths--A shin laden with rich
ore nrd god drst went down not long age
orI tNe Pacific Coast There were rren or
hoard who had given the best Of their lives
toward winnin" that god, had suffered
lNr ships unto'd. and were going home to
their families or to their long anticipated
,re'ns o. pleasure, with eager JOY in their
hen~i.. But when the accident occurred
n"d they knew that it was question oI
lite ~ god, most of them unhestating.y
abandoned their treasures and Auug them.
selves into the sea empty handed. glad t,
escape with their lives. A few. however
grasoed frantically all the gold they cou,l
possibly carry and attempted to swim
with it to the shore. and one after another
OF the moor fellows c,utchinG the gold were
dragged DON with il into the deen--Grace
Livingston Hill, in the New York Mail and
Express. =