The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-01
ECCLESLASTES, CHAPTER AIL
BY REV. rYnoS EDWARDS. b. D.

BY REV. TYEON Epw ARDS. b. j..
Two mistakes as to this chapter have
been made even by some Of our best
commentators. First, in understanding.
the figures of the sixth verse. as we'll as
those of the preceding five. to refer to
old age; and second in treating the re-
naming verses of the chapter as If each
was distinct and Independent
apothegm, as in the book OF Proverbs.
and not as consecutive and connected
parts of a discourse or seimon, which is
marked by a manifest unity Of argu-
ment and appeal from beginning to
end.
The figures of the first five verses. as
all agree. plainly DO refer to old age
TO its fcebleness and decay and so TO
tsunfness for attending, for the fins,
time. TO the great work of seeking FOR
salvation. Bat in the sixth verse the
imagery is suddenly and entirely
changed. and the emblems are those Of
youth in an its vitality and SigOr. seek
ing eagerly the enjoyments Of the
world. when. as in a momcnt. life Is
suddenly ended. and then will be
seen aud felt TO have been spent IN vain
as to all the great and designed ends
for which it was given. And the whole
chapter has IL oneness of thought and
appeal and motive admirably fitted to
express its lesson on the young TO
whom it is so particularly and pointed
ly addressed.
The paraphase that follows may illus
trate both the great object Of the chap
ter. and the fitness of lis varying
imagery to set forth the aim Of the
sacred writer or preacher.
Remember, be would say, ire
member your Creator now IN the days
of your yo-th. for ll.l old age, even if
YOU live to it, is no ii. season for at
tending for the first time to the one
great subject. But 49, do not count
on living to OLD age, for the silver cord
may be loosed in the midst Of ITS bright.
ness. and the golden bowl be broken
and the pitcher broken at the fountain
and the wheel broken at the cistern, d
C.. 8, on may be cat of suddenly, in the
very heyday Of youth, ther
to find that your life has been
but vanity of vanities-worse than
vanity as to all the great ends
for which life was given. And the
preacher. a. wise counsellor, would
press his call with TIE strong wordi
of soberness aud truth. These he would
fasten on the mind, as nails in SURF
place. saving that though one nigh
make books without end, and study Il
utter WEAKNESS of the flesh, he coul'
fiud no motive which might not b
summed up in the two he has given TO
seeking God 5 favor now. in the days o
ones youth. viz: that old age is no fl
time Tor doing it, and that it
daring presumption to count on lvini
to old age, for death may come sudden
lv. at any moment. and then if God
favor has not been found, life will hav
been in vain. and worse than in vain
utter loss and everlasting ruin
Here. then" the preacher woul'
say. "the one great lesson-The conclu
sion of the whole matter, Fear Go
and keep his commandments now. 70
this is not merely the whole duty O
man-for the word duty is not in tn
original, but isl the whole Of man-al
q he was made for-all he is good for an
, all that he ought to desire ana seek
p consistent with his high nature, and 1
the only way of duty and happiness,
= will soon be seen at the great and iini
day, when God shall bring every Won
2 into Judgment and character and col
duet and destiny shall be decided an
I fixed forever
l...., A ~. tl.t,e~ 10. vtnv lu