St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-08-08

] !. !.
NLYl there ascended thu
i, 3GI throne of the king.
NyZ9ReS dom of Israel q
AlM kaHM young man In
fHAWl a whom was exempli-
EY%.9 fed most striking
N ~ their truth and
N NkNEN meaning. Take
your Bibles and
read the third
chapter Of Kings. Solomon has inst
oeen called to rule over the Jewish ma
ZION IN the room of David his father.
among the first acts of his reign he
SEEKS the Lord in sacrifice and worship
at Gideon. The testimony of Gods
word In the third verse Of the chapter
Is that Solomon loved the Lord, walk
Ing In the statutes of David his father"
and 1t is with the deepest reverence and
devotion that this young king recog-
nizes Gods claims upon him and his
need OF and dependence upon God
With lavish hand the king makes his
offerings before the Lord. The smoke
OF thousand burnt offerings assembled
from the multitude OF affairs erected
there. The priests and the Levites have
been kept busy In preparing the fiocks
OF lambs, and the droves Of cattle for
the sacrifice. All the nation knows Of
the religious devotions of the new king,
and thousands have gathered from all
over the kingdom to share In the cere-
monies. What revival season was
that for Solomon and the nation! The
heartsof allareq uickened and God draws
very near unto them. He always does
when the soul steadfastly sets itself to
seek the Lord And In the stiffness of
the night watches during this great ma
tional religious celebration, God APP
pears to Solomon In q dream. And the
words Of the Lord and the reply of Sol
onion indicate the burden which was
upon the heart Of the young ruler. The
new and great responsibilities require
increased wisdom and abilities. He did
not have the words Of our text to adj
monish and encourage him, but his
heart was open towards God and he felt
the need Of more than human help. It
was then that God came to him. It is
ct such times that the Lord always
comes. The words IL any of you lack
wisdom" imply condition similar to
that which We find prevailing In the life
Of Solomon at this time-responsibili-
ties incurred, modesty In measuring
personal abilities, consciousness Of the
need Of Divine assistance.
A r the very outset We wish to dispel
"A any thought or impression which
may prevail that this visit Of the Lord
to Solomon. His request that he ask
Of Him his hearts desire, and the gift
of great wisdom In response to the
expression Of the wish, are of such
supernatural character as to partake of
the nature OF fairy tale. Such col
oring could be and has been given to this
Bible story. It is fascinating to think
OF having the privilege Of one wish and
then being suddenly and miraculously |
endowed with the thing wished for. But |
such are not the facts IN this story be- |
fore VI, I believe: and there is nothing |
in the experience OF Solomon at Gideon |
which may not have It's reproduction In
the life Of everyone. The words Of our
text are for all, and they find their full
realization In this experience of Solo
mon. This story has always had its
fascination for children and for older
ones. too, but It's practical value has
been largely lost because specifically
and supernatufally considered. Solo
mon was not one of those specially IA
vcred individuals to whom chance
brought the golden opportunity OF ex-
q wish. and then the magic
wand being waved above him-presto,
was quickly transformed
from an ordinary mortal to one en-
lowed with superhuman wisdom. That
Is not the way God operates. Solomon
sought God with all his heart, and the
Lord revealed to him the privilege which
the soul always has when In accord with
The will Of God, that Of asking and re-
sewing. Or, as our text declares: IF
inv OF you lack wisdom, let him ask
4 God, that giveth to all men literally
md upbraideth not; and It shall be
yiven him."
= HESE words Of James are not In
tended to Imply that there are those
rho >do not lack wisdom, and Who
do not need that wisdom which
.ome,, from above. No man has ever
~ lived who has not needed Divine d.
ectiou and help In the proper conduct
md administration Of human affairs.
vhether they involved the responsible
*. ~ a kfnpfnm or only those of the
york bench In the shop or the care OF ,
ha modest, humble homo. But rather !.
oes our text refer to the one who has
rakened to q sense Of that lack Of wis
ON which has previously existed. Re-
in greater or less degree /.
ome to everyone Modesty in measur-
ng personal abilities In coping with :
hose responsibilities, and recognition :
Z the need Of Divine wisdom and help. :
= the lessons which this incident in :.
belife of Solomon should teach us. Let
. then consider our text under the fol- !.
wing heads: The need of wisdom;
Ia source Of wisdom; The request for
isdom; the gift Of wisdom: The EVIL !.
ence Of wisdom; and. The influence OF ), !.
Iisdom. :
FEED OF Wisdom.-At no time is It .
U realized so fully a. when the soul II
~ the presence Of God. It was when y
,lomon was performing his religious ;
,.,g.t,ons before the Lord at Gideon a.
81 the sense of his human limitations n
"a his great need Of wisdom IN admin :