tical conviction on their minds--that there is but "one thing
needful" in our estimation.

The true servant of God knows, better than any man, the real value of
money, the value of time, the value of talent of whatever order. He
is accordingly the most assiduous in his vocation, the most
parsimonious of his time, the most anxious to improve his talents so
far as they are subservient to the interests of Christ's Kingdom.[11]
He knows that the mysterious dealings of God have most intimately
connected us in the ways of his providence, with the salvation of one
another. He knows also that there is no means, humbly laid at the
foot of the cross, which He, who hung there, does not bless, and send
forth, with the blessing resting on it, to accomplish purposes of
mercy.

As to laying up for children,[12] believing it to be contrary to the
letter and spirit of the Gospel, and therefore to the best interests
of the children themselves, I have no hesitation in saying that, on
these grounds, I am persuaded it ought to be relinquished--as much
so, as spending our means on the selfish indulgence of our own
inclinations. The reason indeed of the commands, exhortations, and
encouragements to abstain from all such provision, appears as
obvious, from every day's experience, as that of any single command
in the Scripture; so that it manifestly would be the happiness of a
child of God to pursue the conduct thus enjoined by his Lord, even if
revelation was far less explicit on the subject, than it clearly and
undeniably is. A "single eye" can alone secure our fidelity in the
discharge of a stewardship so peculiarly trying as that with which
the wealthy[13] among us are entrusted. The circumstances of such a
stewardship have a remarkable power in directing and drawing our
affections toward improper objects; in fixing them upon others in an
inordinate degree; in leading us to misapprehend the nature of true
happiness, and to estimate things by a standard entirely at variance
with the plainest, and most frequently reiterated declarations of the
Gospel. If, therefore, under such circumstances, personal
conveniences and indulgences, the elevation of self in the world,
under the thousand alluring masks which Satan provides for those who
wish to wear them, as means, he tells them, of influence, be allowed
any weight in the argument, we may easily determine the judgment
which will go forth; you will see every man looking on his own
things, not o