man." The Apostles after Christ's Ascension, transformed by the Spirit from timid men into heroes, made a second and more impassioned appeal to the Jews to admit the incarnation and embrace Christianity. But no; the Jews neglected; and while some went their ways to their farms and their merchandise, others treated the King's servants contumeliously and put them to death. You may think, perhaps, that this king, to faithfully represent God, should have sent his servants with invitations to the poor rather than to the rich, but remember that possessors of great wealth are oftenest, in the sight of God, the poorest of the poor. It is a sad commentary on them that the rich, in the ages of persecution, were ever the first to apostatize. " Give up all and follow Me " is for the rich man, at all times, even at death, a fearful trial which the poor man is happily spared. It is sadder still that a man's riches and his relish for spiritual things follow an inverse ratio. Talk to Dives of faith or the nuptial garment of charity! Pshaw! Purple and fine linen, or even the workaday garments of the shop or counting-house, are good enough for him. What cares he for a banquet of spiritual delights! Let Lazarus have all that and welcome, but for himself, he is content to feast sumptuously and more substantially every day. It is saddest of all, that, in the attainment of their coveted millions, they will not allow even human lives to block their way. Dives's millions! how many human lives do they represent; how many neglected opportunities; how many tears of widow and orphan; how
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