The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1926-08-26
Great Personages
of the Bible
BY
REV. LEONARD Al. BARRETT
The Brother Who Stayed at
Home

re 0FOeHSF no oSUySA "a
Home
THERE lived upon little farm in
a the central part Of Ohio a man
who, not content with the very mod
est income which his farm yielded,
sought fortune in oil wells of the
Far West Being poor and short of
money he was persuaded to mortgage
his little farm In order to secure the
necessary funds with which to make
his Investment. He was persuaded by
others who, like himself participated
in the investment, that the oil wells
in the Far West country would some
day make him rich He left the care
of his farm to others and for several
years lived a life of sacrifice denying
himself even the ordinary comforts of
life in order that he might live near
the scene of his invested funds Daily
he went to see the big drills make
deep holes in the earth. The noise of
the drills seemed like music to his
ear Were they not going to make
him rich? Would they not bring him
wealth for his old age? He was con-
fident that before long his money
would come in and he could pay back
the mortgage and live a care-free life
the remainder of his days. So, daily,
for long hours he sat near the Oil wells
patiently waiting for the oil to fOw
But, no oil came from the deep-sunken
wells They said the drilling was
done at the wrong place. The drills
workmen went away, and all the old
man had as an evidence of his invest
ment was an empty hole in the ground.
Discouraged and sick at heart he came
home only to find that more pathetic
condition awaited him, for the bank
which loaned him the money was
about to demand payment of the mort
gage. This meant that his little farm
was about to be. sold in order to pay
back the borrowed funds. Now, this
farmer had two sons They lived
near the old homestead, and even
though they had financial obligations
of their own, were successful in rails
ing sufficient money with which to pay
the mortgage, and the old homestead
was saved.
During the months which passed by,
there came to the little farm one day,
a strange visitor. He was the repre-
sentative of a large and successful oil
company He did not ask the little
old man to borrow money with which
to make an investment, he asked only
for the privilege of leasing the little
farm for the purpose of drilling for
oil. He offered the farmer percent
upon all oil which should flow from his
farm. The offer was reluctantly ac-
cepted and the wells were dug. One
day as the farmer was walking among
the oil wells he was surprised to dis
cover that all the men at work We're
greatly excited. They talked loud and
long and seemed very much elated.
They slapped one another on the back,
shouting, eve got it, we got it." The
farmer came near and, 10! he saw
crude oil flowing in abundance from
his farm. He could hardly believe 1t
was true He called together his sons
and neighbors to witness the strange
sight They all united in proclaiming
him an independent man. They con-
graduated him, and that night there
was big party in the old farmhouse
to celebrate the wonderful event of the
day. During the evening when they
were celebrating and having good
time, the little old man would fire.
quently repeat the words, Il did not
know that the farm 1 mortgaged in or
der to find oil in the Far West had
oil flowing in abundance within its
own soil. "Think of it." he would say.
"oil was flowing in the very soil I
mortgaged."
This experience of the little old man
not only made him rich but it also
teaches an important life lesson, that
the richest blessings in life are to be
found just where we are. What we
are looking for the most is so near
us that we fail to see it.
Once upon a time a father had two
sons. One became prodigal. He
spent all his money in speculation fol
pleasure, and when his money gave
out and he had nowhere to go, he
went home This prodigal had a
brother who stayed at home. Truly
this brother did not show very Chris
tian spirit when his prodigal brother
returned home, but, Notwithstanding
that, he exercised the part of wisdom
by remaining at home. He found the
Joy and happiness he desired near him
and did not speculate for pleasure Fl
far country. The moral lesson has
its application in all walks of life and
In the various experiences of the hu
man lot. The best things in life, anC
those most worth having, are mosi
likely to be found nearest to US.