Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
Cbe Understanding Heart.
By Rev Daniel Barr Rector Trinity Church.

ALL GIVE Their Kings i'll IS.
fully what he would have So. when the
young king made known what he most
needed. the Lord declared to him: Il have
given thee a wise and an understanding
heart" Yet more than this. Solomon was
assured of getting what he had not asked
for, namely. both riches and honor; so
that" said God, there shall not be any
among the kings like unto thee all thy
days"
The great transaction between 1.-The Lord
of all lords" and the young King of Israel
is done-unknown to the thousands Of slum-
boring Israelites around-"and Solomon
awakes and, coming to Jerusalem.
he stands before the ark of the covenant of
the Lord and offers up burnt offerings. and
offers peace offerings. and makes feast
to all his servants"
Solomon. in his pleading with the Lord,
acknowledged himself "a little child Il
am but little child: know not how to go
out or come in
are, in many ways. but little children.
and have constant demands upon "a wise
and understanding heart in order to
successfully go out or come in to our
duties in our stations-for the highest as
well as the commonest, if any duty can be
considered common. Some one has said
that only fools make no mistakes, nor
change their minds The wise. the noble
of soul. feel their need of wisdom and an
understanding enlightened to guide them
Alright and prevent mistakes: and these
rageously change their minds when, not
withstanding good judgment and the knowl
edge of men and affairs. they make mis-
takes. Am 1 so wise, and feel my need of
more light? Or have 1 enough?
God the All-wise one, comes to us, now.
not. perhaps, in dreams Though some
good people question this), but in His word
of wisdom and love. In His providence.
fully asking our wants Of ourselves. To-
day, now, In this demand of Solomon, the
Lord speaks to each sincere soul, ASK
what 1 shall give thee!'' And, from the
Lord Jesus, the incarnate son of Him who
came to Solomon at Gideon. comes the
assurance doubly sure, ASK; and We
shall receive
But, this asking is not to secure place.
nor power nor worldly success and ad-
vancement. nor riches-it is to fit US, more
perfectly. for our present place. and also
to prepare US for what He maybe pre-
pairing for u.s. in His wisdom.
Is not ian understanding heart to dis
Germ between good and bad" our very
only a wise understanding. and a true
moral discernment. but heart warmed
and instructed by divine charity.
We must have this understanding
heart" for wisdom. First, in our homes;
second. in our business; third. in society;
fourth. in the church.
In ALL touch with each other Is so
close. that only the truest and most low
ingly patient wisdom can prevent mis-
takes, attritions, and even great wrongs.
We may easily imagine how earnestly
the young king made known his ardent
spirits desires. ''Fervent and effectuaf
was his prayer to his heavenly Lord and
Father. and prevailed. Now. "he that
cometh to God" for what he wants-really
wants-comes earnestly; and 1.-The fervent
efrectual prayer Of the righteous man
availeth much with Him who demands
Of His children. Ask
1 ask you to note Solomon's faith In God
as the one source of the heart and wis
dom and spiritual discernment which he
must have for his responsible position. So
it is, now-no less! God Is 1.-The Author
and Giver of all good" is ever true. and
the gracious Donor to him who hears. and
comes to Him." So. then. 'he that cometh
to Him must believe that He Is, and is the
Rewarder of them that diligently seek
Him. in obedience to His word, Ask
Solomon did not ask for what he most
needed. secure the promise and then neg
lect the Great Giver. After the vision and
the asking prayer the young King Of Israel
returned to Jerusalem, offered many offer
ings In worship. and. In thanksgiving to
God. made a great feast for all his serv-
ants! The right answer to favors and
kindnesses and mercies ever is gratitude
and the expression Of gratitude is thanks
giving and liberality of spirit, and Of the
hands toward others. In the overlooking
of his thanksgiving to God Solomon re-
membered his servants. In ours. shall we
not remember our servants and the poor
and the troubled?
ASK what I shall give thee" o. give me
IAN understanding heart" that I may walk
worthy of Thee. and of the manhood thou
hast given me!
As chants Bailey. in "Festus:"
1--WE live in Deeds not years; in thoughts,
not breaths; in feelings. not in figures on a
dial We should count time by heart
throbs. He most lives who thinks most,
feels the noblest, acts the best" This is
the walk of the true man, In the footsteps
Of Him who. as a man. was descended from
Solomon. and as the Christ. was the Son Of