The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-11
A sATUKDAY SERMON.


1t with thy might. Ecclesiastes TX 10.
These words disclose the secret of
whatever success is to be, or has been
achieved in life by any and every in
dividual. They are taken from that
book in the Bible about the author
ship of which there is considerable
mystery, or, rather. controversy. The
word Ecclesiastcs has been translated
from the Hebrew as meaning one who
speaks to the ecclesia or assembly,
hence it is often more freely referred
to as The Preacher. The book has
been ascribed by tradition to Solomon,
but it does not expressly mention his
name. Many biblical scholars though,
are of the opinion that it belongs to
the latest scriptures of the Old Tesla
ment. Some place it as having been
written between $40 and PIT B. c.,
which is a much later date than
when Solomon lived.
Regardless of the identity of its
author, or the lack of one. it is one
of the most appealing of the works to
be found in the scriptures. 1t is COM
posed of two elements, the authors
theoretical and practical philosophy.
The theoretical philosophy has been
defined briefly by an authority as: All
is vanity-there is no gain or result
in human life; it is without result, like
the whole order of things, which goes
on in an eternal round, accomplishing
nothing. All the events of human life
are in the hand of God; man has no
more power over them than he has
over the wind. The practical philosophy
has been analyzed as following from
this: Nothing Is left to man but to
rejoice in his works, for that is his
portion. Even over this man has no
power; it is also in the determination
of God. Power to enjoy what good
there is in life is the gift of God. The
Preacher is. of course, no sensualist.
The good enjoyment of which he
recommends, consists Of the simple
pleasures of life. He is essentially a
God-fearing man. as can be observed
from the beginning and the ending of
his preaching.
It is not necessary, of course for
every one to agree entirely with the
theoretical and practical philosophy of
life as it is expounded in Ecc1esiates,
to appreciate the force and profundity
of a great portion of this philosophy.
None of it is more certainly true than
that conveyed IN the words used for a
text. Many a man falls into the slough
of desDond because he does not take
the best advantage of such opportuni-
ties as are presented to him. He
skins over his task merely to fill out
the time he is paid to labor each day.
He Is of little or no value to his en-
ployer, who finds it out sooner or
later. and then the fellow blan1es his
discharge on hard luck On the
other hand, his co-worker' has been
tackling his days job with an energy
and vim that has brought forth excel
lent results. He does even little more
than his allotted task. AS a general
thing his reward comes quickly in the
way of a promotion or increased pay.
He has the satisfaction, too, and 1t is
great one, of going home at nighl
with the knowledge that his days labor
has been well done and that he has
accomplished something. This is true
of every calling in life, whether it be
the laborer who tolls in a ditch, the
worker at the bench, or the practition-
er of any profession. There is actual
ly no greater pleasure in the world
than that to be derived from activity
in work or business, and the only way
to obtain full measure of it is by
doing whatsoever the hand findeth to
do with all thy might.