Page:Annals of the Poor (1829, London).djvu/55
turn also disappearing, and leaving their inheritance to be enjoyed by others. David once observed the same, and cried out, "Behold thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. Surely every man walketh in a vain show; surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them."
Happy would it be for the rich, if they more frequently meditated on the uncertainty of all their possessions, and the frail nature of every earthly tenure. "Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless, man being in honour, abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly; yet their posterity approve their sayings. Like sheep, they are laid in the grave: death shall feed on them: and their beauty shall consume in the grave, from their dwelling."
As I advanced to the mansion, a pleasing