The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-05-04

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ISrRonrcTioS
We observe the wondrous practicaness of the
Book Of Proverbs. The wise sayings there
in are the product of deep experiences.
The sanity Hervey wrote: eli we want
maxims of wisdom, or have taste for the
lsconic stvlc how copiously may our wants he
supplied aud how delicately our taste gratifed
in the Book of Proverbs Here are many sage
lessons of instruction adapted 10 every circum-
stance in life, founded upon the experience Of
ages, and perfected Ivy the unerring spirit of in
spiraiion. These are delivered with such re-
markabe condolences that one might venture
to say. every word. almost is sentence at least,
every sentence is an apothega. sparkling with
brightness of thought, weighty with solidity
of sense The whole like prod yious profus-
ION Of pearls. each containing in itself value
almost immense. all iIenprd up with confused
magnifcence, above the little niceties of order"
Prov, :I-lO. INCLUSIVE.
l. Data.
We have noticed the first 10 verses. They
cover q broad field and will 10 ample for "a les
son. They embrace large number of very
practical questions. A few statements are more
appropriate to adults. and yet all can be made
interesting to youth.
9. Apthor, Time, Place.
See former lessons. The Book of Proverbs
was practically written by Solomon at Jerusa-
lem about 10 centuries before Christ.
g. Notes.
l. Notwithstanding a. Wisdom.
(S.) We have first the matter or data taught !;
as a consequence. the storing up in the mind of
facts-the use of such knowledge. What we
learn becomes to us knowledge. We ordinarily
derive knowledge through instruction. But
either good teachers nor stores of knowledge
can make ono wise. Special reference is had
tn, lad, in, roll 1 n
Instruction is the way to knowledge; and we
may lay il down as rule that If one love
knowledge he will love Instruction. 1t is
noticeable that pupils who do not care fer
knowledge have little respect for their teach
ers. One does not study 10 much advantage
unless his heart he in the pursuit.
.. Haeth reproof. H. Reproof is simply
the being set right when wrong. If one be
going in the wrong direction he is ordinarily
quite glad to be informed of his error. Once
in Il while, so great is human distaste for criti-
cism or correction, that hatred of reproof will
assert itself even in the case Of one who out of
kindness let's another know he has mistaken
his road. Pedagogiealiy reproof is correction
Of error in some study. The pupil is informed
he has the wrong answer to problem; has
given the wrong place in answer to geograph-
zeal question. etc. Some scholars are irrtated
when thus set right We sec at once the folly
of such sensitiyeness, and ran predict such
pupils will never make scholars. Bnt correc-
ton, reproOf. morally is the most delicate
operation. Men hater reproof specially when
such reproof is a reflection on their conduct.
But such delicacy is folly. 1t shows lack of
good sense. 1t is "brutisii." says Solomon.
Brutes-not having judgment; not possessing
at all tho ethical idea+--wiuce under correction.
). Favor-condemnation.s ~ We find in
the Bible much of the language of contrast.
God. being all tho time the same in his attitude
IL. Ii, 81
attributes, apparently vary in his position
toward a man that man differs morally. If
the man be good God looks upon him
graciously; If the man then become evil, God
looks him with disapproval. This Is not
because God changes. but it is due to the
changes in the man. It grows out from the
very fact God is the same all the time. II
there be two kinds of men, or If man be of
one kind and of another kind subsequently,
Gods attitute will seemingly vary, being now
favorable, then adverse. But notice, the vari-
able is the man-not God. We know there are
two classes of men-the good and the wicked;
hence divine favor and divine condemnation.
1t must be eternal principle that God will
not treat good men and evil men alike. (See
st. Matt. 25 81 49, We see how applicable is
the question, "Who is on the Lords side2"
Read JOSH, "a 20) We allow God is fair in
his position.
L. Not established by wickedress. (3) Sin
ia a very had foundation on which to build.
Solomon hits the point again in Fec, s.: 8. Our
Savior, in the parable Of The Rock and the
Sand" has illustrated this graphically. (St.
Matt, 7: 1927 So verse Of the lesson de-
clare5, 1.-The wicked are oyerthrown." Read
this entire verse; Recall the Babel builders.
We have in the first Psalm fine contrast, show
Ing the nfrm position Of the evil and The fixed
ness Of the righteous. There is the difference be-
tween chat and rooted tree beyond power of
extraction by any humanI = devised machinery.
1t is in some such we say Of n person, persist
ent, The root of the matter is in him" So
verse 3 says, The root of the righteous shall
not be moved"
5. yrtnous. az The word is used here in
broad sense embracing all desirable and
wfeIy qualities.
Matthew Henry says. Pious and prudent,
ingenious and industrious, that is active for
the good of her family aud looks we'll to the
ways of her household, that makes conscience
Of her duty in every relation, woman of
spirit. that can bear crosses without disturb.
ance." We have in 81 1921 a most admirably
drawn picture of woman virtuous in this
sense. Many timo a wife has rescued her
husband in emergency. David said to Abigail,
p" Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent
thee this day to meet me: and blessed be thy
ad vice, and blessed be thou, which has kept me
this day from coming to shed blood and from
ayenging mys self with my own hand" 81 Sam,
% 30, 49, 1t had been better for Plate to
listen TO the warning words of his wife.
We can readily see why Sir Philip Sidney
said, When it shall please God to bring thee
to mans estate. use great prudence and circum-
spcction choosing thy wife, for from thence
will spring all thy future good or evil and it
is an action of life like unto stratagem of
war wherein man can err but once"
We have wise words from Ruskin bearing on
this point: "A judicious wife is always nippng
off from her husbands moral nature little twigs
that are growing in the wrong direction She
keeps him in shape by pruning. Ii you say
anything silly she will affcctionately style you
so. If you declare you will do some absurd
thing she will find some way Of preventing you
from doing it,"
We notice what practical book the Bible is.
1t enters into very many Off the most essential
details of human life.
g. Crown rottenness ~ A good wife is
a crown for her husband. She (the CROWN
makes him King. SomeI have thought st.
Paul not sentmental,tat least on the woman
question. and yet it is he who declares,
- Woman is the glory (crown) of the man."
Il Cor, 1l:7l. falling iuto full amity OH this
question with Solomon
man whose wife is crown goes forth with
a royal cou fdence and faudable pride man
whose wife is rs skull trotten bones) hardly
ventures from shame, to look upon the faces of
those whom he meets A9wonan's status is