About 100 years ago a young man set forth from home and friends in all the excitement of a "gold rush." He was attracted by stories of the gold that was being found, and was determined to get some for himself. In due time he reached the scenes of many a "rich strike" and set to work with earnestness and enthusiasm; nor was he to be disappointed in achieving the object of his search—he found gold, lots of it. But he had to learn what Scripture would have told him—that riches do take wings and fly away—for he was robbed of all he had gained.
His great disappointment at his loss, together with the severe hardships he endured in his diggings, brought on an illness which made rapid progress, and he returned home. In all this the Shepherd was seeking that lost soul, and before long the dying man was brought to know his sins forgiven and have peace—"peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Shortly after, he was taken from this scene to be with Christ. The following lines which he had composed were found among his papers.
I once deemed that contentment was bought with gold,
And I went to the land where the rich tide rolled,
And I eagerly sought 'mid disease and death
To grasp it; nor feared I the withering breath
Of the damp chilling mine,
When I saw it shine.
Nay, I laughed when I thought of what wealth was mine.
But it fled, and it left me diseased and worn;
And I grieved 'mid a night which might know no morn.
But I was not deserted, for Jesus came
His suffering blood-bought one from Satan to claim.
And He opened the mine
Of His love divine,
And His word bade its gems round my heart to shine.
Oh! how softly He whispered, 'Tis Mine to roll
The mountain of sin off thy laboring soul."
How full was her freedom, relieved of her load!
And He gave me a name; 'twas "a son of God."
And He said, "In its mine
Leave earth's gold to shine,
The riches of grace are eternally thine."