Parable

HE young man who hadgreat possessionsdreamedThat once again he came toChrist and seemedTo hear Him making answer asbefore,"Sell all thou hast and give unto thepoor,And come and follow me." And nowhe didIn all immediately as Jesus bid.Then some of them to whom hegave his wealthMocked at him for a fool or mad, bystealthOr openly; and others he could seeWasting his substance with aspendthrift glee;

And others yet were tempted, and drawn inThe ways of sin that had not dreamed of sin:Others, besides, that took were robbed and killed:Some that had toiled their whole lives were unwilledBy riches, and began the life accurstOf idleness, like rich men from the first.Some hid his money in the earth, a rootFrom which should grow a flower of deadly fruit;Some kept, and put it out at usury,And made men slaves with it that had been free.The young man's dream was broken with his grief,And he awoke to his immense relief,And wept for joy, and cried, "He could not knowWhat dire results from His behests would flow!I must not follow Him, but I can fulfilThe spirit, if not the letter, of His will.

Seeing the things I have been shown in sleep,I realize how much better 'twere to keepThe means that Providence has bestowed on me,Doubtless for some wise purpose, and to beThe humble agency and instrumentOf good to others not intelligentEnough to use the gifts of God aright."He rose up with a heart at peace, and light;And thenceforth none of the Deserving PoorEver went empty-handed from his door.