Welsh Journals

No. 9. SEPTEMBER, 1864. Peicb 2d. % Parbest S&txmtm. 1 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, "What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits ? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall these things be, which thou hast provided ? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."—Lush xii, 16—21. THESE words were spoken by our Saviour in illustration of a truth which He took occasion to teach from the fact of a man of the company having asked Him to speak to his brother that he divide the inheritance with him. This man, it appears, considered himself wronged by his brother, who had taken full possession of the patrimony which fell rightly to them both. Jesus, however, repelled the idea of His interfering; and took occasion to teach a truth which He knew the man needed, and which all men need to learn, " to take heed and beware of covetousness ; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." When we cast a glance at our crowded cities, our populous manufacturing places, our busy seaports, and, indeed, our country towns and lovely rural districts, we are driven to the conclusion thai this lesson which Jesus taught has scarcely, even as yet, been begun to be learnt. The ceaseless activity exercised; the continual display of would-be greatness ; the various schemes discovered and practised so as to push on successfully in life's battle; all seems to speak loudly the heartfelt convictions of men, that a man's life does consist in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. How merchants endeavour to extend their business and increase