60 The True Riches.

years ago, when the gold fever was at its
height, and men flung aside duty, honour,
and home happiness in the mad race for gold.
Now again for a moment look at that same
vessel on its homeward voyage a year or two
after. The hard work of the diggers has
been crowned with success, and some of them
are returning with visions of ease and
comfort for the rest of life. But a storm
has arisen: and now watch the passengers
as each one battles for life, rushing and
clinging to the boats. The gold for which
they have toiled so hard lies about unheeded
—any one might take it; for what is gold
to them now? And unless they have “true
riches” in this the hour of their need, though
they may have piles of glittering dust, they
realise that they have nothing. True riches!
you say, what can they be? Can any metal
be truer than gold? Bank notes and other
currency may depreciate in value; but gold
—what can be truer? Is it not the
standard of value? Nay, it is false—as
false can be! ‘Trust it not! The love of it
is the “root of all evil.” Vain is its help in
the time of trouble!