Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

ONIONS dream. here. was that of an already
devoted servant of the Most High God, al
though a youth, and was rather vision
OF God. And that vision was granted him
after his pious and very abundant offerings
and sacrifices to the Lord.
In Gibeon the Lord appeared to- Solo
mon in a dream by night; and God said:
ASK what / shall give thee" While the
young king was waiting on the Lord in
worship. the divine word came to him.
Ask And so does the same Lord now
come to His servants. Not to iders. nor
to neglecters, except in warnings of His
will, but to His servants. While they wait
on Him with mind intent, with heart up
lifted He questions them as to their real
wants and needs and inspires their prayers
and longings The spirit helpeth their
infirmities." telling them what they should
ask for 1t was while ''in the spirit on the
Lords day that the great revelation came
70 st. John at Patmos. We need not Won
der then at the low and poor spiritual state
of heart and life of those who neglect the
worship OF God and withhold sacrifices and
offerings OF their devotion and Of their
substance" from Him and His holy cause.
No, the vision of God is granted to the
soul and in the life of only those who "wor-
ship Him in spirit and in truth" and serve
Him earnestly in heart and substance
Most men and rulers of men in particular
il demanded, Ask what shall give thee"
would ask for riches and power and gran
deur. but this young King of Israel. in his
devotion of love for the Lord and for Israel
His people, asked not for either. but, in
beautiful humility. for that which he felt
he most urgently needed. namely. Give
thy servant an understanding heart.
IN Judge Thy people that / may discern be-
tween good and bad"
IAN understanding heart" He needed and
asked for the pure heart" which has
the power to think and do, always, such
things as are right" and do them in char
ity.
A wonderful asking. perhaps we say.
from a youth, just upon the throne Of a
great people. His two rebeilious older
brothers, Absalom and Adonijab had felt
no fears for their future when they sought,
one by violence and the other by craftiness,
the kingly Office from their royal father
David. but rather, sought to grasp only
the rulership, with its high places, Its hon.
ors, its riches, it's power. Solomon, the
peaceable. lowly in mind, yet truly great
in spirit sought and asked for WISDOM
for 1.-The spirit to direct and rule his own
heart" and to discharge always Alright
the high and awful duties Of king over the
chosen people. Give me, o. Lord, an I'M
Outstanding heart!'
The shallow mind and careless soul
lightly regard responsibilities; while the
spirit of the earnest and the great Is ever
serious! To the truly great. high positions
In the state not only public trusts,
but also are laden with burdensome cares
the cares of state" How strange that
men should seek 10 become bearers of such
burdens But-there's the honor and the
power! o. 1 wonder how many Of our
rulers go to God. the All Wise. to learn
how Ito go out or come IMP
This need of IAN understanding heart OF
wisdom had. no doubt. often formed the
substance OF Solomons thoughts, his medi-
tations and longings. before the night at
Gideon: but, nevertheless. it commenced
him to the Lord God of Israel al his most
proper and it answer to His demand, ASK
what shall give thee
Tho Lord had demanded plain answer al