New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-04
JOHN D., JR., on RICHES
Tells Bible Class That CEscrupulous
Heath Is Ncf To Be Enfief.

John = Rockefeller ir- addressing th, Bib
class n the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church yes
;e76ay. erraigne1 the rich man who told lies
destroyed mems regulations and took advantage
- those weaker than himself in order to
achieve wealth and power He warned the
,ounc men Of the class To refrain from enyying
such man ard his wealth lie took his text
from the I'D Psalm. wherein just such 2 rich
man * described and his eloquert straight
fro--r,o-shoulder talk on tainted money seemed
. asronish his audience.
The attendance At the class broke all records
i had been previously announced that Mr.
Rockefeller who had not led the class for many
rnonths 72s - fiji the leaders chair This
brought many strangers to the church and il
was these Who appeared Ia be most amazed 1t
NJ Rockefeller's address After the lesson
many Of them crowded around him and con-
graduated him. assuring him that his talk was
z revelation 70 them. Several oxIresses their
determination to become members OF the CIa =
Immediately
Even the Rev Dr- Aked. pastor Of the church
seemed astonished when Mr. Rockefeller
began his subject in such vigorous fashion. hut
he nodded his head approvingIy At all that was
sad. sn0 afterNard assured AIr. Rockefeller thai
Il vss one ct the Lest talks The subject he had
ever heard Mr.. Rockefeller said.
This rich man whom The psaI1nis1 refers to
n dos You al know him. you read about
nm II TIE newspapers every day. Maybe you
ana 4 nave often onvied him. Ne may have
sai1- how splendid il must be to have the
Toe-rl- me power which that man pozseSses-
'o De able = control and sway mem"
Ee-haps than man you envy nlav have been 4
lar ~ ms earlier days he may have destroyed
mems characters and taken advantage Of men
weaker than himself in order TO reach the posi-
-1H Y 5--cH zoI envy Therefore. you must ask
yourselves the question Are We willing 10 pay
n 2-5ce that man paid in order TO get where
Ha." you may reply but the world to-day
o''erioohs these things. After all. even if thi>
mans riches and power Were thus obtained it
does not matter much IN she struggle and fierce
competition - tha present DAY. provided he :
7lllES 70 use his position and his wealth for tn,
benefit # hls fellow men He is entitled 10 take
sGvautage o. anv opportunity that presents it
~elt provided he deNvtes N-hat he gets 10 a
cood purpose
Il rhsI Is yoE- frame Of mind. my friends. let
- hold ou- opinion IN abeIance until can
lo2N al The other SIDE Of the picture This man
l=eiS st-on2 in his ability 10 buy votes and
10 Use his vast power in other lNzys 30 gain
rar n desires that he farc,es he ca -er along
irhout any nclr--zeithout even the help Of God.
Perhaps -H7s mans mother prayed with him
vhen LA vas child. but that was so long ago
that h has outgroWn il. He has listened TO big
men who have persuaded him that there is no
rcW'er of God. but the Psalm tells Us that God
L-ed Il that manner. must be q terrible thing,
and that Is what that man must expect There
V-lil surely come time when he viii wish that
he had been more intimate with his Maker and
Rad lived more in accordance with His laws
Maybe YOU have passed his handsome private
house ana wondered HheJher YOU would ever be
z ble 10 buy such 4 house for your wife nd fam
81 Ensy him not for God viii surely pull him
gYt Of that house We shall live TO see him
rl11bIed and tro6der in the dust. And now
- Us ask ourselves again. rs il worth whiIe2
an envy such man"
The man % b envied. in my opinion. and the
nan who Is happiest. is the man who puts his
trust in the Lord lives righteouSly and is salts
led nth much less material wealth He is the
Ind u man Vo7l Csr trust: the man Who always
Ills the ruth. even though he loses by it
-e~ialfv. Tln kind Of man 70 whom you feel that
--1u can safely leave the care Of YOUR wife and
.h}dTe1 H-hen die Yes a man Of such
sterling character and uneUIlied reputation is
after all she man 70 Dc envied
And r any n you Sill think that YOU would
refer 70 De like that other man and have what
- has and are still willing 10 pay the price he
paid fo- -. let me assure YOU that you are max
* great mistake