Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-12-22

Nat1On. l. I1c Idio-
ed Israel, for time. to the height of its
national aspirations and showed the pos
sibjlities OF splendor and authority to
which ii might attain."-Farrar. 1t thus
became the basis of an ideal kingdom
which represented to the peoples mind
the glorious kingdom of God. 2. He
stirred the intellectual life of the people
in new directions" He awakened among
them a strong desire for deeper wisdom
and higher art, which, during the storm
Ter ages which followed never wholly died
away, and I'm some directions constantly
developed itself with more and more
power and beauty."-Ewald 3. HE en-
shrined their worship in a worthy and
permanent Temple" by which he infu.
enced the religious life down to its latest
days This Temple was idealized, to-
gether with the city, into a type of the
spiritual Temple and the New Jerusalem,
the city of God which came down from
heaven. 4. He organized the services OF
the Levites and placed their position on
secure basis. s. He quickened their
sense of "a national position, while at the
same time he rendered them less narrow
in their sympathies" HE left them rich
er in the possession of well-fortified
city, and he protected their land by tow
ers and fortresses. "-Farrar.
Second. The Evils He Wrought. HE
found people free, he left them en-
shaved Tin degree); he found them UNI
burdened, he left them oppressed; he
found them simple he left them luxu-
rious; he found them inclined to be faith
full to one God he left them Indifferent
to the denominations of the heather which
they saw practised under the very shadow
OF his palace and his shrine."-Farrar.
Solomon lost Qor his posterity) the
kingdom of the ten tribes, and perpet-
uated strife, weakness, debasement, and
superstition. by preferring the attractive
splendors of this world to that godliness
which would in the end have been re-
warded even in the present life. "-F. w.
Newman.
Books Concerning Solomon-Proverbs
was written partly by Solomon and ex-
presses some of the wisdom for which he
was famous Ecclesiastes is now gener-
ally regarded as a book about Solomon,
rather than by him; something as Pla-
tos dialogues were about Socrates. The
book sets forth clearly the lessons which
Solomon's life illustrates and makes i'm
pressive, and which men should learn
from his experience. Solomon's Song also
warns men against the polygamy which
ruined Solomon. and teaches the beauty
ana wholesomeneSs of the true love OF
one man and one woman toward one an
other. 1t thus is a symbol of the intensity
OF the love of God towards his people
ana the love they should feel toward God.
Some Lessons from Solomon's Life.-1
1t is never safe to relax our vigilance or
think we have reached the place where
we cannot fall. Age has it's own tempta-
tons and dangers as well as youth. 2.
Genius and knowledge alone are not sufh-
cient safeguards against sin. Neither do
they excuse sin, but simply add to the
responsibility. HE that knew his Lords
will and did 1t not shall be beaten with
many stripes" g. The way of trans
gressors is very hard not only on account
OF the punishment at the end, but be-
cause so many barriers must be broken
down and restraining influences must be
overcome in order to so on in sin,--the
love of God, the conscience and moral ma
ture, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit,
the sacrifice of Christ, the sense of honor,
Gods goodness, early training, the infiu-
ences of religion. 4. The greatest wealth
does not shield it's possessor from misery
and unhappiness. THE legends of the
East describe Solomon as tormented, in
deed, yet not without hope. In the ro-
nance of Vathek he Is described as listen
ing earnestly to the roar Of a cataract.
because when it ceases to roar his an
guish will be at an end. The king SO
renowned for his wisdom was on the
loftest elevation, and placed Immediately
beneath the dome. The thunder said he,
| preciptated me hither where, however.
| do not remain totally destitute of hope;
for an angel of light hath revealed that
in consideration Of the piety of my early
youth, my woes shall come to an end. Till
then 1 am in torments. ineffable tor
ments; an unreienting fire preys on my
ieart.' The caliph was ready to sink with
terror when he heard the groans OF Solo
mon. Having uttered this exclamation.
Solomon raised his hands towards heaven.
| in token of duplication. and the caliph
discerned through his bosom, which was
transparent as crystal. his heart envel-
oped in flames. "-Farrar.