The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-08
QUEENS OF SHEBA.


in historic romance and in human in
terest-how. when Solomon was in all
mis- glory, the Queen of the South was
ailured to take long and wearisome
caravan journey to see with her own
eyes whether the reality answered to
the fame and wisdom of this paragon OF
princes. Her main object was to
commune with Solomon of all that
was in her own heart, - and receive an
swers to her many questions. But,
though going home laden with wisdom
for future reflection and direction, Der
chief impression was derived from the
universal and lavish displays Of wealth
and prosperity. Of vast revenues, and of
progress in all the arts of life.
To-day history is repeating itself on
graEder scale and in the modern
methods. The Three America have
come to visit greater than Solomon 8
Israel, and to confer on the many ques-
tions of political and economic wisdom
which have already made this Union of
ours foremost in the files of time. y
The coming conferences on matters of
common interests among these represen-
tatives Of world of nationalities are
looked forward to with high hopes
of mutual instruction, profit and
alliance. In fact, one would be
rash to limit his conjectures Of
what may come of it all. as the era ap
proaches when this New World is
to be the world-centre and throne,
holding the earth for republican llber-
~, and for a peace which needs not to
b. irOnclad with warlike armament.
We can readily conceive that here the
great demonstration is to be made. how
the nations Of the earth may cast all
their traditional barriers down. may
C )me to organize their interests into
partnerships rather than rivalries, may
arm only for and not against each other,
till the vision is fulfilled
"Whcnthe war drum throbs no longer. and
the battle-hags are furled
In the parliament OF man, the federation OF
the world
But at present the Queens of Sheba
are being conveyed about our Israel TO
see with their own eyes the vastness
and beauty and resources of our do
main. its stupendous natural phenome-
na, the greatness Of Its magic cities, its
crops and minerals more marvellous in
their gathering than in their growth,
its ships more numerous than the sea-
gulls Of the shore. and its railroads
which begin TO overcrowd each other,
aud whose transcontinental lines have
made the famous Roman and Alexan-
drian roads of old seem almost like
baby work. Still more important, let
us hope that they are having their ey es
opened to the possibilities and the
blessings of truer republicanism
than their own, and purer Chris
tanity. Being trained observers and
thinkers, they cannot fail 10 carry
home many lesson of wisdom which
political economy or invention cannot
supply. and which can alone solve the
riddle of American life and liberty. II
is to be feared that these most import
ant are not by any means the most ap
parent secrets; that little pains will be
taken to show them the silent and un
pretentiOus sway of a wisdom of One
greater than Solomon; in fact. that
much. which they will be called to
walk about and to admire, will
not be the real bulwaIks and
towers of our Zion. They will
see much that will only hide those
humber foundations, and mislead them
as to the true sources and the actua
standards of American prosperity
They will see the Hill of Zion built
over with temples to Mammon and Nil
com and Moloch and Chsmosh and
Ashtaroth. crowded in with those o.
Christ. They will be thrown amonl
men and women, and eocial habits and
maxims, which will give them small
idea OF a purer morality than their own
IL is pity that they will see little Of
the simple, pious, home life of the grea
mass Of our people; the Christian fam
lily; the religious and peaceful Lord !
| Day; the country school; the Sunday
schools; the humble and innumerabl,
charities and missions; the communl
ties which have ban;shed the saloon
the countless and copious Bible streams
to which are due so much of the greer
ness and fruitfulness Of the trees which
cover the land with groves Of olive anC
cedars of Lebanon.
1t should he special and constan
prayer while these ENJOYS Of the Amer
icas are among us, that they may learl
truer, simpler, purer Christianity &
tell their people of, and that we on on
part. while av akening to the great pos
sibilities Of closer intercourse an,
more common interest IN world.
things. may be aroused to deeper con
Germ for their spiritual ignorance, gu
perstition. low morality. and lack 0
Bibles and of evangelical instruction
The field was never so orsn. nor tn,
work done so encouraging. There ar
decided signs Of movement towards th
light, ard in the principal countrie
the fullest liberation and lega
rights for P-otestsnts. and yet il
Brazil, with territory equal to that o
the whole United States, but a handfu
of evangelists are at work. In Chill
the corypheus Of the South America
sisterhood of States. q correspondent
advance has been made in the highe