We are not common pot-house people! Preach against drunkenness, if you
like; that is a sin which increases the rates! Preach against
prostitution, for we are afraid our sons will be entrapped some of these
days. Preach against love of dress, or anything else that costs money,
for we have to pay sadly too much to tailors and milliners for our
children and wife; but let us alone, for our god is GOLD.
Now, Amos, what do you say to that? Won't you go home to Tekoa, and
spend the rest of your time looking after the cattle? "Nay, verily, but
till I die, I will make Jeroboam howl with rage and vexation of spirit,
for he follows the sins of the man who made Israel to sin." It is the
work of the preacher to bring hell within sight of those, who, by their
selfish love of gold, make others to sin. Let the king know that I will
make him feel as though his crown was red hot. His honours shall burn
him, and his food shall scorch his tongue. It is in the king's chapel
where I will preach as I never preach anywhere else, for it is Jeroboam
against whom I am sent.
O! Amos, lift up thy voice with strength against these worshippers of
golden calves! Remember thy spiritual ancestry. Forget not the prophet
that came from Judah many a year ago. How he testified against that
golden god, and how Jeroboam's arm was paralyzed when he would have had
the prophet slain. Why are we so mealy-mouthed in denouncing these
golden-idol men? Is not the worship of money the hidden nourisher of
public sin? Could the gin-palace exist but for the worship of Mammon?
Could those streets of bad houses in London and other large towns flaunt
their shame, were it not for high rents? They pay well! As sure as
there is a God in heaven, shall these, who make money out of the sin of
others, gnash their teeth in endless torment. Amos! He is in thy
congregation! Do not preach to him of Heaven! but HELL! Thou art not
talking to the prodigal son, but to those who have got his portion in
their iron safe! Let them feel that hell is moved to meet them, and that
they are listening to one who has the Word of the Lord in his lips, which
is--