Repudiated Estates

‘** What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”” — Paut. iii. 7.

I REMEMBER reading some years ago an article by a very able and suggestive writer, in which he said that in the Utopia which he had imagined the really alive inhabitants are busy repudiating their old possessions, and handing them over to the State as cumbersome things which they no longer desire to carry, as they have found some other things which are infinitely better, They are surrendering their estates, and getting rid of their moneys and all sorts of burdensome property, because they have found the love of beauty, and a quiet happiness which is not dependent on these things, and good health, and good temper. I like to recall this Utopia. I like to picture the folk urgently busy getting rid of things which they have devoted every ounce of strength to secure. ‘“‘ Away you go! I don’t want you any more!” They are repudiating estates which for years have been their very life.

But does not this writer’s suggestion expose one of the most common of all delusions? We are all busy getting estates of one kind or another which, in a big and truly healthy life, would be regarded as encumbrances, obstructing and hiding other things of infinitely superior worth. Or, to change my figure, do we not get very hot and feverish, and often very, very tired, gathering mere husks, baskets and baskets of them, while the real kernels of things are forgotten and ignored? We go for the big things rather than the great things; that is to say, we go for the showy things rather than the vital things; we must have things that look well rather than things that are essentially true.

For instance, we are far more concerned about a good living than a good life. What purpose and what energy we put into our pursuit of a good living! And how eagerly we add one thing to another! Every gain becomes the basis of another venture. Our granaries are bursting; very well then, we will pull them down and build greater. There is no end to our acquisitiveness, and it all has to do with things. Sometimes we get a glimpse of our folly, but it is only like a stray gleam of sunshine in a monotonously grey day; it shines for an instant and is soon forgotten. We are often heard to say, *“When I’m. fifty-five, or at most sixty, I’m going to pull up a bit.” That is to say, at fifty-five or sixty we are going to begin to live! But common experience teaches that fifty-five comes along, and sixty is reached, but the “pulling-up” does not take place. The impetus begotten in the years cannot be stayed. They are in the power of a tyrant, and he demands and exacts his tribute. ‘‘ Drive on,” he says. The victims esteem themselves to be free while all the time they are slaves. They go on piling up things, piling up things! And all the time the best things are being overlooked and ignored. There are the truly beautiful things which death can never blight. There are the truly happy moods whose songs go on through the night. There are restful dispositions. There is spiritual serenity. There is spiritual harmony. And far away, above and beyond all these, there is the wonderful and intimate companionship of God! All overlooked because we prefer things. ‘“‘ All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt surrender all the rest!” And we close with the offer. ‘“‘ Thou fool!” It is the word of Christ.

There are others who are far more concerned about a big reputation than a rich and noble character. Again it must be said that they covet the big thing, not the great thing. They want “to be seen of men.” “They are ambitious for “the uppermost seats at feasts.’ They are eager for titles and honours. They are hungry for applause. And all these things are but the husks of life. And when these feverish seekers have got them, at the end of the days they have nothing but husks. And all the best things have been left by the wayside. These poor souls have treasured the husks, and thrown ssihtncanntiacisiid nn Selig eat 166 Repudiated Estates

away the kernels. They are hugging the caskets, and throwing the pearls into the road. They have repudiated “the Pearl of great price.”

Why not have a repudiation service, and put all secondary things in their place? Why not have a repudiation service in which first things shall be made supreme? We can enter that Utopia now, and its name is the Kingdom of God.