A FEW years ago, when I was residing in a village in Hampshire, I frequently met in my rambles an old man, with hair as white as snow. He was a person of considerable means; he had several houses, some land, and it was supposed had a good sum of money also in his possession.
Suddenly he became seriously ill, and, being a Roman Catholic, the priest was at once sent for. The old man’s will was drawn out. He devised his houses and lands, and when asked how he would dispose of his money, declared, “I will take my money with me!”
He was of course told that such a thing was impossible; but his heart and mind had become so completely fixed on the money he had stored up in his house, that he was absorbed with that one thing.
“What!” he cried, shortly before he died, “can’t I take my money with me?” And so he passed away from this world into eternity.
What a scene! He knew when in perfect health that he must leave all things behind him when he went into eternity, but in his dying moments his heart was so set on the gold that perisheth that he could not part with his idol. In 1 John 2:15 it is written, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” And again it is written, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matt. 6:24.) Have you an idol, reader? you cannot take it with you. VICTOR.