Let the ungrateful world sneer at the maiden aunt, but God has a
throne burnished for her arrival, and on one side of that throne in
heaven there is a vase containing two jewels, the one brighter than
the Kohinoor of London Tower, and the other larger than any diamond
ever found in the districts of Golconda--the one jewel by the lapidary
of the palace cut with the words: "Inasmuch as ye did it to father;"
the other jewel by the lapidary of the palace cut with the words:
"Inasmuch as ye did it to mother." "Over the Hills to the Poorhouse"
is the exquisite ballad of Will Carleton, who found an old woman who
had been turned off by her prospered sons; but I thank God I may find
in my text "Over the hills to the palace."
As if to disgust us with unfilial conduct, the Bible presents us the
story of Micah, who stole the eleven hundred shekels from his mother,
and the story of Absalom, who tried to dethrone his father. But all
history is beautiful with stories of filial fidelity. Epaminondas, the
warrior, found his chief delight in reciting to his parents his
victories. There goes AEneas from burning Troy, on his shoulders
Anchises, his father. The Athenians punished with death any unfilial
conduct. There goes beautiful Ruth escorting venerable Naomi across
the desert amid the howling of the wolves and the barking of the
jackals. John Lawrence burned at the stake in Colchester, was cheered
in the flames by his children, who said: "O God, strengthen thy
servant and keep thy promise!" And Christ in the hour of excruciation
provided for His old mother. Jacob kept his resolution, "I will go and
see him before I die," and a little while after we find them walking
the tessellated floor of the palace, Jacob and Joseph, the
prime-minister proud of the shepherd.
I may say in regard to the most of you that your parents have probably
visited you for the last time, or will soon pay you such a visit, and
I have wondered if they will ever visit you