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they, and thus manage to increase their riches, they will not hesitate a
moment to oppress them, and even see them brought to beggary.
The men whose heads were white with age, and whose faces were
furrowed with care, yet who were eagerly grasping the treasures within
the crown, were the aged, who have but a few years before them. Yet
they were eager to secure their earthly treasures. The nearer they came
to the grave, the more anxious they were to cling to them. Their own
relatives were not benefited. The members of their own families were
permitted to labor beyond their strength to save a little money. They
did not use it for others’ good, or for their own. It was enough for them
to know that they had it. When their duty to relieve the wants of the
poor, and to sustain God’s cause are presented before them, they are
sorrowful. They would gladly accept the gift of everlasting life, but
are not willing that it should cost them anything. The conditions are
too hard. But Abraham would not withhold his only son. In obedience
to God he could sacrifice this child of promise more easily than many
would sacrifice some of their earthly possessions.
It was painful to see those who should have been ripening for glory,
and daily fitting for immortality, exerting all their strength to keep their
earthly treasures. Such, I saw, could not value the heavenly treasure.
Their strong affections for the earthly cause them to show by their
works that they do not esteem the heavenly inheritance enough to make
any sacrifice for it. The “young man” manifested a willingness to keep
the commandments, yet our Lord told him that he lacked one thing.
He desired eternal life, but loved his possessions more. Many are self-
deceived. They have not sought for truth as for hid treasures. Their
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powers are not put to the best account. Their minds, which might be
illuminated with heaven’s light, are perplexed and troubled. “The cares
of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other
things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” “Such,”
said the angel, “are without excuse.” I saw the light waning away from
them. They did not desire to understand the solemn, important truths
for this time, and thought they were well off without understanding
them. Their light went out, and they were groping in darkness.
The multitude of deformed and sickly pressing for the earthly
crown are those whose interests and treasures are in this world. Al-
though they are disappointed on every side, they will not place their
affections on heaven, and secure to themselves a treasure and home