Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-08-11
l}liistelal1eo1rs 8eabing
KING SOl0NOpS BLACKSMITH.

And it came to pass when Solomon, inc SOL
of David, had finished the Temple of Jerusalem
that he called unto him the chief architects
the head arti6cers, and cunning workers i'll sill.
yer and gold, and in wood, and in ivory, and
stenc-yca, all who had aided in rearing the
Temple of the Lord, and he said unto them:
"Sit We down at my table, have prepared
a, feast for all my chief workers. and cunning
artificcrs. Stretch forth your hand therefore
and eat and drink, and be merry. Is not the
laborer worthy of his hire? Is not tic skilltul
artificer deserving of honor2 Muzzle not the
OK that trcadeth out the corn.'
And when Solomon and the chief workmell
were seated, and the fatness of the land ami the
oil thereof were set upon the table, there came
one who knocked loudly at the door, and forced
himself even into the tcStal chamber. Then
Solomon the King was wroth, and said:
"What MANNER Of man art thou!'
And the nau answered and said
"When men 'ysL to honor Inc, t!.ty call INC
Sun Of the Forge; hut when they desire to
mock me. they call me blacksmith; an'i seeing
that the toll Of working i'll fire covers HE with
sweat and smut, the latter name King, Is not
inapt and, in truth, thy servant desires no bet
ter"
"But," sail Solomon; "wlly came you thus
rudely and unJidden to the feast, where none
save the Chief workmen of the Temple are in
vitcd."
"plcasc ye, my lord, came rudely,' replied
the mail; "becauSe thy servant obliged me to
force my way but came not unbidden. Was
it not proclaimed that the chief workmen OF the
Temple were invited to dine with the hing OF
Israel?"
Then he who carved the chcrubim said:
"This fellow is no SCULPTOR" and he who in
laid the roof with pure gold said "Neither is
lie workman in fine metals"
And he who raised the walls said: lie is
not cutter Of stone."
And he who made tue roof cried out: tic
is not cunning in cedar-wood; neither knoweth
he the mystery of uniting pieces Of strange
timber together"
Then said Solomon, "What hast thou to say,
Son of the Forge, why should not order thee
to be plucked by the beard, scourged, and
stoned to death with stones"
And when the son Of the Forge heard this,
he WAS in no sort dismayed, but advancing to
the table, snatched up and swallowed cup OF
wine, and said:
go King, live forever The chief men of
the workers in wood, and gold, and stone have
said that I am not of them, and they have SAID
truly. am their superior; before they lived
was created. I am their master, and they
are all my servants" And be turned him round,
and said to the chief of the carvers in stone,
"Who made the tools with which you carve ?'
And be said "The blacksmith"
And LIE said to the chief of the nlasons:
"Who made the chisels with which the stones
of the Temple were squared z"
And he said {" The blacksmith"
And he said to the chief Of the workers in
wood:
"Who made the tools with which You hewc'l
the trees on Lebanon, and formed them into
the pillars and roof of the Temple q
And lie said: The Blacksmith"
Then said he to the artiticer in gold aud in
worry:
"Who makes your instruments, by which
you work beautiful things for my lord, the
King"
And lie said " The blacksmith"
Enough, enough, goodfello said Solomon
"thou hast proved that invited thee, and thou
art all mems father in art. Go wash the smut
of the forge from thy face, and come and sit al
my right hand. The chiefs Of my workmei
are but men-thou art more"
So it happened at the feast of Solomon, ano
blacksmith have been honored ever since.-Lon
don Magazine.