"Until when, Guy?"
"Until he dies, I suppose."
"Yes, and what then?"
"What then, mother! I cannot tell."
"Do you think that the man who has been only diligent and attentive to the business of the world, amassed a fortune, attained a high estate, will be welcomed in heaven as 'a good and faithful servant,' and counted worthy to enter the joy of the Lord? Did he not receive his reward on earth? Did his aims and desires rise above the end he pursued? And should he be disappointed at only attaining what he strove for?"
"I suppose he should not; but such a man would perhaps be thinking himself so lawfully busy, that God would provide for the next world, when he had to give up this one."
"Very likely; I fear many make that fatal mistake, forgetting the word of warning to such, 'What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shalt that a man give in exchange for his soul?' It is a question man has never dared to answer, so he evades it, until compelled to estimate the profit and the loss in the eternal consequence of his miserable neglect. But what of the other condition, Guy?"
"The tribulation, the humble and lowly lot of those who care most for following Christ and obeying God, do you mean?"
"Yes, what then?"
"Why, I suppose one escapes disappointment, and most of the troubles of the rich and great; but then you see, one may keep very low, and always be among 'mean men' at that rate."