124 
MISSIONARY LIFE 
secrated and used are able to spread the gospel far 
and wide, but which if unconsecrated and unim- 
proved may be taken away. 
‘ The history of the church in every age of the 
world is evidence to the point. Take as an ex- 
ample the Jewish people. They were prospered 
only so long as they were faithful to the charge 
intrusted to them, but when they became penurious 
and offered blemished sacrifices to Grod, instead of 
the best of their flocks, as they were commanded 
to do, their glory departed from them, and they 
became poor, — and especially poor in religious life, 
as is now the case with the close-fisted professor of 
religion. He that soweth sparingly shall also reap 
sparingly, but he that soweth bountifully shall 
also reap bountifully. Grod can cause a certain 
spot of ground, or business, to yield a hundred 
dollars profit, which if given to Him will secure 
the donor at least one thousand dollars worth of 
happiness; but if withheld from him. He will 
withhold the happiness, and may afterward with- 
hold the increase or gain. 
There are wicked men whom the Lord lets alone, 
as he did Ephraim. They are joined to the idol of 
wealth ; and the Lord permits them to make all the 
money they can, and do with it what they please. 
And many such become rich. God knows they will 
have a hard time of it in the world to come, 
