Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-07-16

Last week we had the story of a
young man whose childhood was IN
restrained and ungoverned, who
proved to be a sad failure, unable to
govern the kingdom he so much de-
sired. Today, by contrast. we study
the life of a younger brother, who,
under better influences, chose the way
that leads to true success. Emphasize
therefore the fact that this Sunday is
Decision Day
|. Soiomon's Part wv. 3-9) %
Preparation ". 81. Solomon was look
ing out Of the open gateway of life.
Still the text suggests that there was
preparation for his hearing of Gods
wonderful promise, Ask what I shall
give thee" (a) He loved the Lord
". -. 1t was a wonderful kingdom
David had ~bequeathed to his son..
enough to entice any young man, yet
1t was in the statutes of David and
IN the worship of Jehovah that Solo
mon had his chief delight. OBJ He
went to Gideon" ". ~ because there
at the tabernacle Cthe temple was
not yet built Jehovah particularly
manifested himself to the people q
Chron. 21:29; Elk. 29:42. 43 R. VI.
The people were still adhering to the
ordinance found in Elk. 20:24.
90 Presentation ". ~. He offered
burnt offerings a thousand, when
legally one would have suficed. The
tabernacle was a type of Christ John
liza R. V. and John 1870 and each
Of the one thousand sacrifices also
pointed forward to the Christ. The
Christian has a better ground where
on to approach God Heb. 10:1-22l
than that of countless sacrifices of
rams and bulls.
90 Revelation ". 81. God appeared
to Solomon in a dream, we have a
better revelation in Jesus and the in
spired Word, still it was a real ap-
pearance to him as subsequent events
prove. (Gen. 28:12, IS; Matt. 1920;
Acts 1879, 10). Scientists themselves
confess that they know comparatively
little about dreams. That God can
and does ever in modern times give
US revelations of truth by such means
is witnessed by the book by the late
Dr.. A. ]. Gordon, How Christ Came
to Church" That dream transformed
a pastor. Dreams are, however, most
probably the concentrated essence Of
the main stream Of waking thoughts"
Visions furnish ideals and inspira
tons. Let the church keep before it
self the vision of a perfect church,
world and city of God. Life is no
dream, but life is nothing without
great dreams Doctor Cope.
ca Position wv. 6, y. In reply to
Gods wonderful permission to Solo
! mon, the setting before him of his
infinite resources, Solomon first OF
all acknowledged his debt to David.
his father. Gods kindness, his faith
fulness and bounty" (marg.) to
David had been according to the man.
ner of his walking in "uprightness of
heart; and to crown that kindness,
he, Solomon, is "the son to sit on his
throne" This acknowledgment in.
volved a definite obligation or
service for which Solomon felt
his unw%orthiness. 1t is such a
spirit that God delights to honor
and in response to it he has set
the infinite of his power
John 14:13, IA; 1877; 1916: 1928,
"a; Mark 11:24; l John 1922; 5:14,
15). Solomon was perhaps twenty.
one years of age yet in Gods sight he
is but "a little child"-teachable
obedient, trusting.
90 Petition CIV s, 81. Seeing the
greatness of the responsibility now
resting (y. 81 upon him Solomon's
plea is for wisdom. Already he had
shown that he had in him the root oil
true wisdom prov. 1T and Colder
Text. Solomon seemed to reahze his
responsibility, first to God and Their
to the people, for he said, who is
able to judge this Thy great people
R. v. This is the true and right rela
ton of duty, public or private, Goo
first, the people afterward. Solomon
asked for a hearing heart" (see R
V. marg.). Such a request was Of
more value than great riches prov
3:13-1S) and vas in lie with his ia
Their David's petition Il Chron. 22:12;
29:19): another suggestion as to how
fathers should pray for their sons
Christians may pray this same prayer
Games 1:5-7) and in addition have
the promise of One, the Holy Spirit
who shall guide them into all trutl
John 1919. 1t is the Spirits worl
to impart wisdom, and thus equipped
the Christian is not overwhelmed b!
a sense of his inefficiency or his re
sponsibility. In its last analysis thii
petition is for the glory of God, ant
as such must prevail (Jas. Az, -. I
represents the highest form of wis
dom, of moral integrity and discern
ment.
II. Gods Part, w. 1915. % Hi
Pleasure wv. 10, III. Solomon hal
not asked for self, for pleasure no
for earthly power and hence Gods de
light. God delights in an intelligen
prayer prov. $3.50. 1t is a create
thing to make a speech that please
God than n to please man. Vers,
eleven tells of some of the things Sol
onion might have asked for, an
which doubtless many of us woul
have asked under the same circum
stances.
(2) His Performance ~. 12). Bu
Solomon made a more wise choice
hence Gods pleasure to do not onl.
all he had asked, according to hi
human words, but more also (Ept
1920. His name has become
proverb, synonymous with the great
est wisdom ". Is. Oh. 4:29-34; 5:1c
etc.. Seeking what seemed to be tn
minor thing God gave him the bes
Matt. $50; Rom. S:32; Oh. 10:23-20
and that which thor hast not asked.
(3) His Promise ". 14). AS thong
to heap up his goodness, as a sor @
| a reward Of merit, God offered Sole
mon long life" on one condition only
> viz, obedience. Such a promise /
ours and the world has yet to realiz
the wisdom of Gods ordinances fo