The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-08-29
SOLOMON

By what do known. Every minute
each one Of showing to the world our worth
and purpose by the actions we leave behind US.
By the diligence ceaseess activity and splendid
foresight of David King Solomon's forty year reign
was the most peaceful and prosperous in the history
of the Jewish people. His father had subdued all
the hostile neighboring nations and history records
only one military expedition that Solomon found it
necessary to make. However, he did not neglect
the peace and safety of his country in the least by
very reason of his Notifications Hazor and Leban-
on and the army always in readiness he able to
make his reign the peaceful it We
told that he maintained forty thousand stalls of
horses for his chariots and twelve thousand horse
men,"
Not only did Solomon rule kingdom
great in people, wealth and stretching from
the Euphrates unto the border of Egypt'-but he
was man of learning. All the world knew and
honored his wisdom He author of
ability, because he wrote three thousand proverbs,
his songs were thousand and five" and at least
two of the psalms written by him. He
botanist and naturalist, for he of trees and
the hyssop; and also of beasts, fowls. creeping
things and fishes" People from every court of
the known world to hear the wisdom of Solomon.
But his wisdom does not show his character
his worth. 1t is not the thing should consider.
He was a builder. A doer Of great things. A
master builder! He built temple to Jehovah, mag
nicent beyond description, that needed years
for it's completion. Special furniture made for
it. The brass used in it was so much that the
weight was not known. The silver and gold adorn-
ments were profuse. With great ceremony the
temple was dedicated and the Lord pleased with
the work.
Solomon erected palace for himself on more
magnificent plan than that of the temple. Thirteen
years were taken in it's building. Gardens and vine
yards were laid out by him in various parts of his
kingdom. He built store cities throughout the land
where stored the treasures and wealth the
earths resources yielded to him. He presented his
friend Hiram. King of Tyre. with twelve cities in
the land of Galiee" Under him Israels only
lures on the seas Of the world made. He made
navy of ships in Ezon- geber' and launched them
on the Red Sea. Voyages made to Ophr from
whence was brought Spices oils precious stones and
gold. He maintained navy, or had some interest
in one, that sailed with the navy of Hiram to
Tharshish, returning once every three years with
gold. silver ivory, apes and peacocks."
Nor was his building all of material character.
First place in his government was held by high
priest and at least other counselor priest
All of his officials were princes and prominent men.
He reorganized the kingdom ignoring the old tribal
division. more equal division of the country
made into twelve districts with separate system of
government in each. He was the first in the relig-
ious life of the nation. His prayer before the
sembed multitude the dedication of the temple is
masterpiece Of devotion and duplication
Solomon was builder! His glory unequ
aladt Rut he q fallurai He could conceiva and
plan projects beyond comparison and pile stone
upon stone adding silver and gold until the world
stood in wonderment before the completed work.
But of all he built nothing remains. Gone is the
temple and palace with their vessels of gold and
treasures above price, His cities have disappeared
and his ships sailed the seas but a day. His king
dom was divided until but one tribe remained to his
son. The treasures he gathered from the ends of the
| earth were taken from him.
He could not lay hold of the purposes in his
life and shape them into edi6ce of stability and
worth so his material buildings not permanent.
His ideals were erected the shifting sands of
suaity and passion and could not withstand the tests
of time His ambition was no more to have an un-
derstanding heart'-n its stead he built shrnes of
vainness and pride. Honor and love and righteous
ness crumbled to ruins because he failed to build
them right and with them went the respect and
homage of the world.
In one way, and only in way. is life of
worth and nobleness consummated. That is by
closest scrutiny of every bit of material that goes in
to it's structure Everyday at work building.
| There are no idle moments. So need TO be
the alert every second of the time; watching this
thought that word and each impending action. Only
80 will we be able. in the later years of life,
dwell in securitv and peace palace of character