Telegram Herald

"A rich man can get anything he desires," said a young man some months ago in the presence of a venerable divine, leader in his church.

"You speak foolishly," said the clergyman. "With a few years' experience you will show you that the rich are subjected to as many disappointments in life as the poor. I remember the case of a very wealthy Pittsburgher, which may serve somewhat to illustrate my meaning. It was a good many years ago and this wealthy member of my congregation had not been notable at all for his good works inside or outside the church. In fact I doubt whether he did anything for the church at all. Therefore when I heard of his illness I did not hasten to call upon him as I might have done had I had the least encouragement to do so. But he had not been long confined to his bed when he sent for me. I went to him at once. He was sitting in his bed, propped up with pillows, and the moment I caught sight of his face I knew that I was in the ante-chamber of death. I sat down beside him and tried to lead the conversation into devotional channels, but he impatiently waved his thin, white hand and said:

"Doctor, I did not send for you to talk of anything but what I've had on my mind ever since I fell sick. The doctors have told me I can not live beyond a measurable time; it may be a few days or only a few hours. I've been thinking over my past life and it gives me little comfort. My life has been successful as far as the world goes, but I haven't a friend or relation who will regret my going. I've been a very bad man. Nothing stopped my selfish will. You are a minister of the gospel. Can you give me any hope!"

"He looked beseechingly at me and to the best of my power I tried to bring peace to him then and there. But I could not conscientiously tell him that he had not been a very great sinner. Suddenly he interrupted me again and said: "Doctor, if I were to leave half my entire fortune to your church would you promise me that I should recover from this illness and have time to seek God's forgiveness! I will draw up a will at once to that effect if you will promise me that."

"All I could tell him was that he might still seek forgiveness as did the thief on the cross at the last moment, but that no legacy of his to the church would induce me to promise him life or forgiveness. He was bitterly angry with me and I left him soon afterward. He died that same day. Whatever mercy he may obtain at the judgment day will not have been purchased with his money."

When the clergyman had concluded his story I asked him, says a writer in the Pittsburgh Dispatch, if the experience related therein was unique during his ministry.

"Yes, it is," said he: "no other millionaire has ever offered money to my church or to me for forgiveness or a new lease on life. The man I speak of was the worst rich man I have ever known."