The National tribune., 1896-12-03
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
A Study Of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for Dec.
Is, 1896. m naa
Subject. AdmouitionsSf Solomon, Specially
as to Intemperance." Prov, %: 1923.


Zone reading these notes should first careiniy
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures a.
Indicated above.i
INTRODUCTION.
We find in the Proverbs of Solomon the re-
suits of his own experience. we deal not WIN
theory, but with actual. long continued. ire
ouently- repeated practices, and that OF one
competent bv his own wisdom to draw infer
ences and conclusions on which dependence
can be placed The book is a mine of rich
ethical lore. 1t is particularly adapted to the
young. 1t tells of downfalls, but not In the
spirit of this or that modern novel, which
stimulates to imitation. Its shameful weak
nesses are SO told as to carry edmonton. Inc
hero is a victim. The reader pties him; is
indignant at him; denies Solomon's wisdom
considered from the standpoint OF trse re-
ligion; makes up his mind the King was nos
only wicked, but foolish; learns to abominate
evil. Hence, the Proverbs are healthy iitera-
ture for the youth of our land. IL viii De
some offset to the evil of Soomon's life il the
young people of our country learn therefrom
to love purity. 1t is sad that such valuable
lessons as those taught by his life should have
been bought at so great price, but 1t IS wen;
now that we have such data, they DO utiiiZs"
in all of our Sunday-schools. 1t will not De
without effect that in special the sin OF 1nten-
perance is now emphasized.
PROVERBS, 90 1888. INCLUSIVE.
Author.
Solomon wrote the words we study. He was
son of David, and became the Second King OF
Israel. His father gave him the name SOLO,
mon. The prophet Nathan, however, called
him Jededjah. His mothers name was Bath
sheba. 1t is said, "The Lord loved him."
Read 9 Sam, 12: "a %; XII, 3:35-14; 4:21-
"a; Cb., 20 %; 90: Ii, Is. 23-25; Ch., 9:13-
%.
Where and When.
The book was written at Jerusalem about
LOCO years before Christ.
Notes.
I. NV SON. V. IS. Uttered in fatherly adj
dress-not literally true-words of wise and
venerable man to youth in general. Solomon
probably often said thus to his own son. but in
our lesson the word has very broad sense.
g Heart. LIS. We have gotten into the
habit of assocating the heart with the alice
tions simply, but the Hebrews included in the
word our entire mental processes-intellect
| feeling and will In the first use Of the word
! ~ 15) We have rather the idea of mind proper
| In the second use of tile word in that verse
there is more of the idea of feeling.
I 3. Wise. v. Is. Not more wisdom in the
| sense of knowledge is meant. A father might
i see his son very wise in merely intellectual
sense and have reason fpr. great sorrow we
are to understand spiritual. wisdom-tb being
wise as to the soul, as to the cultivation OF the
religious nature. IS. To pious father
| there cannot be a grea,er,joy than to see his
children becoming deyouh worshipful, thought
full of their souls interests. "a wise son
| gain a conception here, too, of the pleasure our
| Father in Heaven has when VIC, his children,
are wise as to goodness, holiness. etc.
| A. Reins. Y. 16. The 1reins are another
physical organ, aud what Is said above as to the
| heart is applicable here. In early days people
thought or imagined various organs OF the body
] operated in mental PROCESSES, specially were
| active in the play Of tbe, ersotions.
S. Lips speak v. 10. Silence is we'll but
4 is not always to be maintained. There are
many occasions for speech. Conversation is
1 one means given u.s. for mutual profit and
/ pleasure. The limit as 10 use OF the tongue IS
| fixed largely by what one has to say If 1t Is
| profitable" right things well.
g. Envy. V. II. Tocovet refers to things,
to envy, to persons. Ps., 37:1-3. The very
things which cause you to envy sinners may be
| very harmful to them aud might prove your
ruin. Ps., 1913, IL, IL. Notice verse 10 oil
the lesson.
T. Fear of the Lord. VIZ. The reference
is to the fear, apprehension, one who loves God
and all his laws has that he may break any
| commandment of God. He wants to do the
| will of God. He knows numerous and be-
| witching are the temptations of life, and
breads the thought he might possibly fall into
sin and do violence to any command of God.
g. Expectation not cut of. Y. 18. There
seems here strong intimation Of Immortality
"There is an end" future, time of settle
ment, day as We understand it Of Judgment
| when evil will be pun ished, when good will be
rewarded, when all things will be made right
| fair.
8. Way. v. 10. The Bible teaches the way
Then Christ, who is the figure of the entire
Bible, calls Himself The Way To walk in the
way is to guide all ones conduct by the com
mandments of God The "heart" is the center
of mental operation. 10 guide it in the way il
to make the data of all thought the premise!
of all conclusions, the great moral principles
taught by Moses and exemplifed by our Savior
4:23 The heart (mind must be right to have
the feet walk Alright. Take care Of the mind
and the feet will take care of themselves.
10. Notice appeals for attention. Many chill
dren will not heed counsel. Hear. V. 10
Harken v. %. Christ said, He that hath earl
let him hear.
IL. Winebibbers. V. 20. Excessive drinker
OF spirituous liquors. And the word .riotou
". 20) means glutt0nous. See V. 81. Th,
drunkard is a man who does not control hi
appetite for drink. st. Luke, 81 "a; Rom.
ID: IL. The physical gets the start of TIT
mental The. power of inhibition becomes lost
The body is too loaded with excess to allow thu
mind its normal activity. The victim becoine
drowsy, more or less loses consciousness.
IL. Rags v. 81. The drunkard loses tim
from work and has no means to make purchases
necessary for decency and comfort. We SCI
commentaries in almost every community.
Ii. Respect parents. V. %. e., 90: IL
Prov, 80: IT; Eph., GIL, 2.
ID. Truth. v. %. In the highest sens
Christ is the Truth-The Way, The Truth, ant
The Life. Buy-but do not sell.
Intemperance
a. This takes many forms. but notice it jus
now as to the use in excess Of spirtuous liq
uors
1t was Hon. Lot M. Morrill, who said of th