Perth Amboy evening news., 1907-02-21
Judgment Of a
MuIfimiIlionafre.
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toriginai.l
Ihere was a rap on the door OF heav-
en-. II was opened, and a man was ad.
United and stood in the presence of the
celestial court. Long rows OF angels
with furled wings sat ready to listen
and to judge, while myriads of cheru-
BIN and serdphim, with extended min.
ions, circled above. Drifting from #
did not appear where were low strains
sung by a celestial choir.
WHO comes" called a voice.
"a mortal man." replied the candi-
date. Il died an hour ago."
From what planet?' ,Sjy4s
Earth .EhFE
what part of earth?'' .fSs-~
America" YEHtS
"What class?" iMNNA sAL.
1.-THE upper class" fst 'H&SyR
Large possessions" ~
Immense possessions"
These preliminary questions were
asked by n young angel with a seraphic
face. At this point he ceased to speak
and led the candidate to the judge,
whose brow wore an expression of di-
vine thought, divine justice. The can
didate noticed this, and it seemed to
encourage him.
What have you to say in support of
your demand for admittance into u
heavenly realms?' asked the Judge.
The use | made of the possessions it
pleased heaven to placein my keeping
Heaven has placed no possessions in
your keeping. You have been left free
to acquire possessions or not, as you
pleased. First state to the court hoT
you became n multimillionaire."
Il began as a common workman. |
became president of a corporation. l
saw an opportunity to unite many COR
porations. That made me president Of
a trust"
The angel opened a book before him
and read:
Blessed are the merciful, for they
shall obtain mercy Have you been
merciful?"
II have"
did you unite all corporations. bene-
fitting all?"
Il united those 1 needed to unite.''
Those who by competition might
threaten you?"
Yes"
What became of the others?"
They went to the wall"
"And the stockholders
Lost their possessions"
do you call that being merciful?"
The candidate was silent for q mo-
ment, then said. Yes; I will prove 1t
if you will permit"
Not yet. Your trust being formed,
how did you make money!"
by raising prices"
For the rich or for the poor?'
Both"
did the poor suffer-"
They did"
"Your examination is over-for the
present. You may state what you have
10 say in extenuation."
1.-THE poor are always poor and usu-
ally unable to help themselves. If
they had an immense sun given them,
they would use it all up without bene-
fitting themselves, for they have no
talent for management. 1t is best that
certain persons shall accumulate funds.
then become distributors to the poor.
] have been one of these accumulators
and distributors. / have endowed col
Ieges, built churches, established libra
ries. I have not fed and clothed in
dividuals directly, because such action
would result in no permanent benefit
to the masses of the poor. 1 have pre-.
ferred rather TO use my money
Whose money!
Mine"
Did you not say that your fortune
had been built up on the ruins Of those
interested in and dependent upon Ger.
tain corporations
Il did. Their ruin was necessary
that should acquire the ability to put
millions through channels to do the
most good"
by what authority did you act?"
my w sense of what was fit"
The judge sat silent for q moment.
The strains had seemed to follow the
heavenly inquiry, n solemn murmur
like distant thunder when the candi-
date touched upon his evil courses, a
sympathetic melody at the mention of
his benefcent acts. Now they died
away entirely. The judge spoke:
MAN has been placed on the earth
to develop under certain conditions.
He has been left free in his environ
ment, but without a few basic princi-
pies he would grope in darkness. These
have been given him from heaven. So
long as he works in accordance with
these principles his deeds are approved.
Had heaven issued an edict, Rob that
you may benefit mankind possibly
you might have obtained admittance
here. but there is no such edict. Your
course was not e wise for the peo-
pie you profess to have benefited.
Their condition has degenerated. The
equivalent for the fruits of the earth,
gold, is now held In storehouses, dis
tributed by a few, and the poor are
paying enormous prices for their ne
cessities. You have taken the law
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