The hidden treasure
Parable of Tares explained. Hidden Treasure. Pearl. Net.
(The Gospel History, Section 52)
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
The hidden treasure
(The Saviour of the World, Vol III Book II Poem XXI)
Another likeness of the Kingdom, see;
And learn therefrom the part beseemeth thee:—
A man who dug his hired field
Lit on an unexpected yield,—
A buried treasure came to view:
Now, covering up the place, he ran;
The worth of all he had, began
To reckon up, if it might do,
Brought into sum, to buy that field
Wherein the treasure lay concealed:
All summ’d, in anxious haste he flew
To buy the field, and count the wealth
That he had gotten (if by stealth):
Of all he had stripped bare, look you,
The man made rich by sudden find
Lives on his wealth with easy mind,—
His ancient labours left for new
And pleasant ways rich men pursue!
Disciples pondered: what may mean
This tale of field-trove never seen
Till a man laboured;—then, gave all
So he might his that treasure call:
The treasure is the Kingdom, see,
All unexpected come to thee:
But not the while an idle mind
Goes sauntering, with no thought to find
Reward a labouring mind and heart
(Zealous to do their proper part),
Discover to the ravished eye!
But ’tis a treasure thou shalt buy
At price of all thou holdest dear:
Come, reckon up, and have no fear
Lest things thou leavest are worth more
Than this—must be thy single store.
There’s ease and pride and joy of self;
And wilful ways and love of pelf;
There’s flattery, and power and place
For who will join the eager race
To the world’s winning post; there’s sloth
To labours of the spirit loth;
Why, come to reckon up, there’s all
The good I thought might e’er befal
Some lucky man who had his way;—
To part with all, and in one day!
’Tis hard, methinks, for a poor man
All he most blessèd straight to ban!
Hast counted, soul, the other side,
The riches shall with thee abide
Then most, when thou forsakest most
Gains thou hast garnered at great cost?
The earth is thine, and all its wealth,
Sweet joys and pleasures for soul’s health;
Solace of Strength to lean upon;
The grace of Goodness not thine own;
Alliance with the King of Kings
Who to thine aid His armies brings
In every moment of distress
When foes distract thee, ills oppress:
There’s peace when all around is strife;
A child’s glad-careless, happy life;
There’s quick forgiveness for thy sin,
Ready or e’er thy prayer begin;
And, O, my weary-wandering soul,
There’s One who hath the sole control
Of all thou art and all thou dost,—
Thy Master! whom to serve, thou must
At fixed “Attention” stand and wait:
No longer shalt thou runagate;
And, ah, what ease to be constrained
To hold that substance thou hast gained!
Make haste, my soul, compare and try,—
Sell thy poor dross, this treasure, buy!
St. Matthew xiii. 44.