Family Religion
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They have not sought for truth as for hid treasures. Their energies and
powers are not put to the best account. Their minds, which might be
illuminated with Heaven’s light, are perplexed and troubled.
Mark
4:19
. “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 they 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, and,
although they are disappointed on every side, they will not place their
affections on Heaven, and secure to themselves a treasure and home
there. They fail of the earthly, yet while in pursuit of it, lose the
heavenly. Notwithstanding the disappointment, and unhappy life, and
death, of those who were wholly bent upon obtaining earthly riches,
others follow the same course in their pursuit for earthly treasures.
They rush madly on, disregarding the miserable end of those whose
example they are following.
All those who reached the crown, and possessed a share in it, and
who were applauded, are those who obtained that which was the whole
aim of their life,—riches. And they received that honor which the
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world bestows upon those who are rich. They have influence in the
world. Satan and his evil angels are satisfied. They know that such are
surely theirs, and while they are living in rebellion against God they
are Satan’s powerful agents.
Those who became disgusted with the company clamoring for the
earthly crown, are those who have marked the life and end of those
striving for earthly riches, and have seen they were never satisfied,
that they were unhappy, and they became alarmed, and separated
themselves from that unhappy class, and sought the true and durable
riches.
Those who were urging their way through the crowd for the heav-
enly crown, attended by holy angels, were shown me to be God’s
faithful people. Angels lead them on, and they were inspired with zeal
to press forward for the heavenly treasure.