The following lines were found among the papers of one who had devoted his life to the quest of honor and fame: a life which would no doubt be highly commended by the children of the world. The lines speak for themselves with a seriousness and intensity that cannot be overstated, and stand as a solemn warning to all who would walk ambition's glittering pathway:—
"Why labor for honor? Why seek after fame? Why toil to establish a popular name?
Fame! aye, what is fame? A bubble—a word, A sound that's worth nothing, a hope that's deferred; A heart-sickening hope that's too often denied Or withheld from the worthy, to pander to pride.
"Then out upon fame! Let her guerdon be riven. Nay—hold—let me strive as I always have striven.
Out, out upon fame! Too late will she come;
Her wreath mocks my brow. Will it hang on my tomb?
Too much have I labored; too willingly gave My thoughts to the world,—and HAVE EARNED BUT A GRAVE.”
Such lines need no comment; and we turn from them to an extract from the last writings of one who had renounced the most brilliant career in order to take up the cross and to follow the Lord Jesus into the place of rejection.
At the end of a life of trial and suffering such as few are called upon to undergo, he was cast into a Roman dungeon. Almost all his earthly friends had forsaken him; he had appeared once before that cruel tyrant Nero; and before him lay the lions, or perhaps some other fiendish torture. Truly it was "a latter end" to be, naturally, greatly dreaded. But what had HE earned? No thoughts of the grave filled his soul when he wrote to his young friend Timothy, as follows:—
"I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." 2 Tim. 4:6-8.
Again no comment is needed; the language of Paul the apostle is too sublime to require human praise.
Now we would earnestly ask every reader of these lines to ponder well the striking contrast, remembering always that he cannot serve two masters. It must be Christ or self: God or Satan. God wants you to be wise. He presents to you the truth, that you may consider "the latter end" of these things.
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Josh. 24:15.