SOME years ago, as two brothers were working their claim on the Kingower diggings in Australia, one of them struck his pick on something hard. He knew by the sound that it was not a boulder, and after a little scraping he discovered it was gold. They covered their treasure and toiled on with pick and shovel until they got it free when they found it was a solid mass of gold, as much as one man could lift.
They succeeded in keeping it from the eyes of others who were working about them. When evening came they used much secrecy and precaution, and succeeded in getting it to their tent where they buried it six feet under the ground; and there it lay for three months.
The brothers toiled on at their claim until they made about $2,000.00; they then bought a cart, quietly unearthed their treasure, carted it off to Melbourne, and lodged it in one of the banks. There was now no longer need of secrecy; and while they were on their way to England with their “wonderful find,” thousands were rushing to the Kingower field in hope of finding more of the precious metal.
The immense nugget that the brothers found weighed 146 pounds. It was exhibited for some months at the Crystal Palace. It sold for $60,000. The one who found it became possessed of means in this way in a very short space of time. And now can we suppose that he was happy, and that peace and comfort filled his days?
There are millions of people in the world today, who are seeking after wealth, and many, no doubt would think that $60,000 would make them very comfortable and happy; and that the many difficulties that confront them would soon vanish, if they were possessed of that much means.
How was it with our gold finder? Let us follow his history a little further. He became a merchant and a shipowner, and doubtless felt that he was of some importance in the world. This, however, lasted only a short time. The truth of the scripture was verified in his case. “Riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”
Without property, without riches, he was glad to find work as a laborer. He was employed in a lumber camp in Canada. At last he was found dead in a lonely part of the woods of Ontario, and his poor body was eaten by rats. How sad! how terrible! Where now are his riches? Of what valve was his gain?
All, my young reader, I beg of you to seek the “durable riches” which can never he taken from you. Come to Christ! If you possess Him, you are rich for time and for eternity: you have what is better than gold; you have that which will give peace and comfort and joy; and your riches will abide.
If you are without Christ, what will the end be for you? You may not, like our gold finder, die alone in the dreary forest; plenty of friends may surround your dying bed, and something of this world’s wealth may be yours; but oh, you must pass alone into the other world —without Christ, without salvation, without hope, without joy. Come now to Christ, before it is too late. Come and be rich and be happy forever. He Himself invites you. COME.
ML 03/18/1906