CHAPTER XVIII.

A TROUBLESOME QUESTION SETTLED.

WHEN Mr. Warren again sat down with the young men to study that troublesome subject, riches, he found they had more texts selected than it would be possible for them to examine in one evening. While he expressed great pleasure at the zeal they had manifested in this search, he was forced to add, "As we can not study them all to-night, let us try a plan which will lessen the labor, without neglecting any important point bearing upon the decision of the subject, that is, let us take the subject by divisions, examining under each a sufficient number of texts to see fairly what the Bible teaches, upon the point."

This proposal being pleasing to all, Mr.

Warren continued, "Let us first see what the Bible says in favor of riches, thus warranting us to seek them."

John remarked that he had only looked up references against riches.

"Not quite fair," said his teacher, smiling. "There are always two sides to a question, both of which should be fairly weighed, whatever our views may be, especially when mankind generally throw the weight of their influence into the opposite scale. Besides, how are we to correct mistakes of opinion, if we study in this way? You always insist upon going to the Bible for instruction, but remember, there are two ways of going to it; one to see what it teaches, and the other to prove that it indorses your views, that last is very

natural, but often productive of great harm. It has kept alive many a theological controversy, which, otherwise, had

never cursed the church with divisions and

disputes."

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"I see my mistake, sir, and thank you for calling my attention to it," replied John; "I will try, hereafter, to study the Bible to learn its teachings, even if it forces me to change my most firmly established opinions. Some one has said, we should not strive to have truth on our side, but to be on the side of truth, and I see clearly now into what great dangers the first spirit may lead us."

"We will reserve you, then, John, for a witness when the other side of the case is called," said Mr. Warren. "Meanwhile, we can leave it to you to cross-question the witnesses on this side. I dare say the others have looked more sharply to the testimony in favor of the question. Robert looks hopeful; let us hear him first." Robert read the following, in a tone of very grateful confidence:

"1 Kings iii. 12, 13: Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.' Now, uncle, if it were wrong for people to seek riches, would God have spoken so? Then, again,

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"2 Chron. xvii. 5: Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honor in abundance.' And once more, in speaking of the riches of the good King Hezekiah, it says,

"Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in

abundance, for God had given him sub

stance very much.'

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"Well, James, let us hear what you have," said Mr. Warren.

"Prov. xxii. 4: By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life.""

"1 Tim. vi. 17: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.' Instead of condemning their riches, he only bids them not trust to them, speaking of them as the gift of God."

"And, Jerry, what testimony do you bring?"

"Eccl. v. 18, 19: 'Behold that which I have seen it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giv