Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it not be to my sorrow! God granted him that which he requested.
 Another transient blessing which our poor humanity fondly covets and eagerly pursues is fame.  In this respect we would be desirous to be more honorable than our brothers and sisters, and outstrip all our competitors. It seems natural to all of us to wish to make a name for ourselves, and gain some prominence in the circle we move in, and we wish to make that circle wider if we can. But here, as it is with riches, is the indisputable fact that the greatest fame does not bring with it any equal measure of gratification. Men, in seeking after notoriety or honor, have a degree of pleasure in the search which they do not always possess when they have gained their object. Some of the most famous men have also been the most wretched of the human race. If you have honor and fame, accept it; but let this be your prayer, “Oh God, that  you would bless me! for what profit would it be, if my name were in a thousand mouths, if you would spit it out of your mouth? What does it matter, though my name was written on marble, if it was not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? These blessings are only apparent blessings, blessings that mock me. Give me your blessing: then the honor which comes from you will make me truly blessed.” If you happen to have lived in obscurity, and have never been entered on the lists of honors among your fellowmen, be content to run your own course well and truly fulfill your own vocation. To lack fame is not the worst of evils; it is worse to have it like the snow, which whitens the ground in the morning, and disappears in the heat of the day. What does it matter to a dead man that men are talking about him? Get the true blessings from God!
