The most valuable pearl-fisheries are to be found in the Persian Gulf
and on the western coast of Ceylon. The annual produce of the former is
said to be over L200,000; while that of the latter is set down at even a
higher sum. The value of single pearls has sometimes been enormous.
Those who have read Rider Haggard's books will remember the graphic way
in which he describes an incident in the life of Cleopatra. That
unscrupulous woman, at a supper with Mark Antony, took from her ear one
of a pair of pearls of the value of L80,000, and having dissolved it in
vinegar, swallowed the absurdly precious draught; and she would have
done the same with its fellow had it not been rescued from her wanton
pride.
But however valuable pearls may be, there are other things more valuable
still. Holy Scripture mentions three.
(1.) *Wisdom*.--"No mention shall be made of coral or of pearls; for the
price of wisdom is above rubies" (Job xxviii. 18). The wisdom here
referred to is the divine wisdom--the plan or purpose of God exhibited
in the universe. But the same truth applies to human wisdom--the
gaining of knowledge and discretion in human affairs. The price of this
is far above rubies. It is not to be had for pearls. How then shall a
boy get it? Only by hard work and diligent application. He must shun the
company of the idle and the frivolous, and give his time and thought to
the companionship of books. He must show diligence at school, obedience
in the home, and reverence in the church. All his lessons must be
faithfully learned, every task must be faithfully performed. And if he
learn thus early to sow well in youth, a harvest of intelligence and
wisdom will be the reward. And this will be a possession more valuable
than pearls, for
"Just experience shows in every soil
That those who _think_ must govern those who _toil_."
(2.) *Good Works*.--"In like manner, that they adorn themselves ... not
with gold or pearls, but with good works" (1 Tim. ii. 9). The wisdom
must show itself in outward action. If the fountain be pure, so also
must the flowing stream. The hand must follow the heart.
And all this in the way of adornment--the adornment of a good woman; and
girls especially will not miss the lesson that broidered hair and golden
trinkets are not the only kind of ornaments. Peter speaks of the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of
great price; and Paul points us here, in 1st Timothy, to the beauty and
excellency of good works. She who is arrayed in meekness and
kind-hearted generosity has no need of flounces and finery. She may
even say of all other ornaments, "Unadorned, adorned the most."
(3.) *Salvation* (Matt. xiii. 46).--Both wisdom and good works must show
themselves in religion. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God, and
the best of good works is to believe on Him whom He hath sent (John vi.
29). Till this is done, we are like the merchant man seeking goodly
pearls. He found a great many; for this beautiful world in which we
live has many precious secrets to reveal to the earnest seeker. But not
until we find salvation through Jesus does the great _Eureka_, "I have
found it," burst from our lips. This is the treasure which all the
wealth of the world cannot buy. Not all the thousands of Cleopatra
could lay it at her feet. And yet, wonder of wonders, it is given to
the penitent soul without money and without price. Jesus says, "Buy of
me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white raiment,
that thou mayst be clothed." "He that hath no money, come ye, buy and
eat, yea come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." This
is true wisdom, and this is the soundest morality, to come and find in
the salvation of Jesus _the Pearl of Great Price_.
*Some Other Shells.*