Two Crowns
117
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
[167]
death of those who were wholly bent upon obtaining earthly riches,
others follow the same course. They rush madly on, disregarding the
miserable end of those whose example they are following.
Those who reached the crown, and possessed a share in it, and
were applauded, are those who obtain that which is the whole aim of
their life,—riches. They receive that honor which the 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,
that while they are living in rebellion against God, they are Satan’s
powerful agents.
The ones who became disgusted with the company clamoring for
the earthly crown, are those who have marked the life and end of all
who strive for earthly riches. They see that such are never satisfied,
but are unhappy; and they become alarmed, and separate themselves
from that unhappy class, and seek 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 are inspired with zeal
to press forward for the heavenly treasure.
The black balls which were thrown after the saints, were the re-
proachful falsehoods put in circulation concerning God’s people, by
those who love and make a lie. We should take the greatest care to live
a blameless life, and abstain from all appearance of evil, and then it is
our duty to move boldly forward, and pay no regard to the reproachful
falsehoods of the wicked. While the eyes of the righteous are fixed
upon the heavenly, priceless treasure, they will become more and more
like Christ, and thus they will be transformed and fitted for translation.
[168]