George M. Pullman, president of the "Pullman Palace Car Company," died leaving a fortune of several millions of dollars. He was what the world calls a "self-made man," having amassed his wealth through his own unaided exertions. At the age of twenty-one he left Brockton, New York, and moved to the city of Chicago. Being of an inventive turn of mind, he constructed the palatial railway car which bears his name. The land on which the town of Pullman (now a part of Chicago) is built, belonged to him and, not unnaturally, he took a great interest in its prosperity.
A representative of the Chicago Dispatch interviewed the millionaire not long before his death. In answer to questions put to him, Mr. Pullman is reported to have made the following statement: "I believe I am no better off, certainly no happier, than I was when I did not have a dollar to my name, and had to work hard from daylight to dark. I had only one good suit of clothing then, and I can only wear one now. I relished three meals a day then a great deal more than I enjoy my three meals a day now. I had fewer cares; I slept better, and I may add that, generally, I believe I was far happier in those days than I have been on many days since I became a millionaire. And yet," he added, "it is a comfortable feeling to be rich."
According to the millionaire's confession the possession of wealth did not increase his happiness. When he worked hard in the carpenters' shop from daylight to dark he was a "far happier man." His sleep was sweeter, his cares fewer, and his appetite better. Even though now a millionaire, he could only wear one suit of clothes at a time, and was unable to eat more than three "square" meals a day!
What advantages did he claim to possess that he did not have when for his daily bread he worked in his shirt sleeves as a journeyman joiner?
"And yet it is a comfortable feeling to be rich!" The "comfortable feeling" Mr. Pullman attained did not relieve him from care and anxiety. It did not assist him in obtaining refreshing sleep, nor did it lead to an improved appetite. "I am no better off, and certainly no happier, than when I had not a dollar to my name."
You who have set your hearts on "getting on" in this world, ponder Mr. Pullman's testimony. It may cause you to be less anxious to acquire wealth. True indeed are the words of Scripture: "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." Ecclesiastes 1:88All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. (Ecclesiastes 1:8).
It is a common belief that the possession of riches brings happiness in its train. What a great mistake! With increased wealth come increased cares, and with increased cares increased trouble. It is a wicked delusion that the soul of man can be satisfied with material prosperity.
The rich farmer spoken of by the Lord Jesus addressed his soul in the following words: "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." Luke 12:1919And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. (Luke 12:19). The soul, however, cannot be silenced in that way. Eating and drinking may satisfy animals, but this cannot satisfy the longings of an immortal spirit. Wealth, honor, pleasure, nor fame can quench the soul's thirst.
Hearken to the testimony of King Solomon: "Whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them: I withheld not my heart from any joy: for my heart rejoiced in all my labor, and this was the portion of all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do, and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun." Eccles. 2:10-1110And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor. 11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:10‑11).
Solomon had all that this world could give, but his testimony was that there was no profit "under the sun." Love, and life, and lasting joy can only be found in Him who once died for us on Calvary, and is now enthroned in the glory.
Ponder His words to you, O unsaved reader! "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).