But it is not so with those who have the true riches. They can never be disappointed in having to part with them, for, as before mentioned, they are everlasting. Christ said, in His sermon on the mount, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Matt. vi. 19, 20). Our riches are, as we know from experience, never really safe from harm and damage, as articles of apparel, however costly they may be, are, if very careful measures are not used, subject to being eaten by moths. Other things are spoiled by rust gathering on them, whilst money is never secure, because thieves may steal it; and even in banks the managers or clerks may be tempted to steal the money entrusted to them, or the bank may fail. Daniel Herbert says, in one of his hymns-- "Should all the banks in Britain break, The Bank of England smash, Bring in your notes to Zion's bank; You're sure to get your cash." One of Christ's gifts to His people is spoken of in 1 Peter i. 4. It is "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away," reserved in heaven for those who are "kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation." Christ also gives His people "a crown of glory, that fadeth not away" (see 1 Peter v. 4). This crown is called, in Timothy, "a crown of righteousness"; and, in 1 Corinthians ix. 25, Paul calls it an "incorruptible" one; and James says, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him" (James i. 12). In conclusion, we might compare the two kinds of riches to the Lord's parable about the wise man who built his house upon a rock, and it stood firm, "for it was founded upon a rock," and the foolish one, who built his upon the sand, and his house "fell, and great was the fall of it." The first instance resembles those who do not set their hopes on the uncertain, but on the true riches; and the second like those who think only of earth, its uncertain pleasures and riches (Matt. vii. 24-27). E. B. KNOCKER (Aged 14 years). _South Hill House, Tunbridge Wells._ [Very good Essays have been received from Nellie Nunn, Laura Creasey, Eleanor Saunders, Jane Bell, W. E. Cray, J. Rowbottom, Alice Creasey, Rose Holloway, Annetta Hargreaves, E. R. Harris, &c. Their efforts are very encouraging.] [The writer of the above Essay receives a copy of "The Story of the Spanish Armada."