The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-10
SIDE-LIGHTS ON THE LESSON.

Solomon's Practical Sagacity.- An ex-
ample of his wisdom in dealing with the oihi-
cult cas- es.which came before him as judge
may be seen in his decision as to the ownership
of the child claimed by two persons Il Kings 3;
1929. An Arabic legend illustrates Solomon's
>agacity as mere STRIPPING of thirteen. Two
men came before David, who was puzzled now
10 reconcile their differences. The plaintin mad
bought property of the defendant, and while
digging out the cellar had found treasure. lie
demanded that the defendant should take the
treasure back. for be had bought the properly
without.it. while the defendant asserted that It
did not belong to him, as he had sold to plaintiff
the property and all its contents. Solomon sug-
gested. as the best way to end the dispute that
the plaintiffs son should marry the defendants
daughter, and take the treasure as their own
DR.. Isaacs.
Solomon Reputed to be a Magician.-The
reader may berentertained, If not instructed, In
seeing what kind of problems are conceived by
the Orientals to have been submitted to the sa-
gacity of Solomon. According to their &C.
counts, the Queen of Sheba sent ambassadors
with letter to Solomon before she went her
self With them she sent five hundred youths
dressed liked maidens, and the same number
of maidens like young men, with instructions
that they were TO behave accordingly In the
presence of Solomon. She sent also closed
casket, containing an unperforated pearl. dla-
mond intercately pierced. and goblet OF crys-
tal The letter thus referred to these things:
'sAs true prophet, thou wilt no doubt be able
to distinguishing youths from the maidens; to
divine the contents Of the enclosed casket: TO
perforate the pearl; to thread the diamond;
and to filllthe goblet with water that hath not
dropped from the clouds, nor gushed forth from
the EARTH" When they reached Jerusalem
Solomon told them the contents of the letter be-
fore they pre- sented 1t, and madelight of their
mighty problems. He caused the slaves to wash
themselves, andlfrom the manner in which they
applied the water detected their sex. He d.
rected young and fiery horse to be ridden
through the camp at the top of his speed. and
on its return caused its copious perspiration to
be collected in the goblet. The pearl he perfor-
ated by stone occultly known to him. the
threading of the diamond puzzled him for
moment, but at length he inserted small
worm, which wound It's way through, leaving
siken thread behind it. Having done this, he
dismissed the ambassadors without accepting
their presents. This and the reports her ennis
saries brought determined the queen to visit
Jerusalem In person. When she came. Solo,
mon, who had heard piece of scandal about
her,-nO less than that she had clOven feet
first of all demonstrated his sagacity by the
mode In which he tested this report He caused
her to be conducted over CT, stall floor, below
which was real water. with quantity Of fish
swimming about. Balkis, who had never seen
crystal floor, supposed there was water to be
passed through, (and therefore slightly lifted
her robe. enabling the king to satisfy himself
that she had very neat foot, not at all cloven.
-Kitto.
The Best Prosperity.-That wealth is best
which is generally diffused throughout the COM
munity. The wealth that builds railroads and
houses. libraries churches, schools. factories
gives greater advantages of work, of cheap
travel and books. healthier living. and number
less comforts to all. 1t is this kind OF wealth.
the wealth of the community, not enormous
private fortunes. which is the promise of the
gospel. The mere accumulation of wealth upon
wealth, with its burdens of care and tempta-
ton, does not add to the blessings of compel
ency. Agurs prayer proverbs 30:S). "Giye me
neither poverty nor Riches" expresses the best
that possessions can do for us. Poverty is not
blessing In itself. nor is immense wealth (See
Prov 1916. II; 17;1). mo more desire Riches"
says Erasmus, "than feeble beast desires
heavy burden" 81 feel like galley slave, and
worn out with care" wrote one of the most
successful of modern millionaires. "-Farrar.
The Fair Distribution of Property De-
sired-A certain amount of wealth is necss
sary for the largest giving the greatest help to
others, many useful enterprises the largest
culture. Hence, it is the tendency of piety and
the wise service of God to increase, not always,
nor ever intensely, the wealth OF individuals,
but always the general wealth of the commun-
ity. AS Henry Ward Beecher once said, snow
on a level is much more valuable than great
drifts alternating with bare ground.