The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24
Thinking realistically about life
Eeeissiastss l:5, II
BY RALPH RocE RS


What the New Year holds for
each Of us, none know. There are
many things in our mind. One may
be that we realize some adjust
ments in our habits should be
made, and we make resolutions.
Another may be that we are plan
ming some project or have our eye
on some goal during the coming
year. Whatever we dream or plan,
we should be realistic, consider the
risk, and steer a safe course.
A False Philosophy
Reading the lesson today makes
US almost agree with the Preach
err writing the book Ecclesiastes.
This Preacher must have been
sour old duck with ulcers or one
disappointed in life. He uses the
word vanity some forty times and
concludes that whatever he may
have won or accomplished in life
all is vanity. Of course before we
finish the book we discover that he
has changed his mind somewhat.
But to begin with, we would not
especially care to listen long to his
list of gripes.
This book was written perhaps
about 200 BIC. and the meaning of
the word EccleSiastes is "a men,
Der of the assembly," He must
have been wet blanket on the
whole group, always giving the
dark side of any question, and
when it came to life itself, he pro-
claimed it was all vanity. Someone
has said there is no need to worry
about it for no one comes out Of it
alive anyway. While here however,
there is no need to accept the phi
losophy of the Preacher since he
is bitter, pessimiStic and disillu-
stoned and doubts whether life is
worth living after all.
Speak of New Years Resolutions,
and we laugh. Most of us know
that they are readily broken. How
ever they are worth making. VIII
liam James once said, "If you
have an emotion to do something,
if you don't do it you won't have il
any more" Then Bishop OMAN
adds, Ideals, like muscles, afro
ply. We must do something about
them. We must keep them alive
or we shall hear, 'In a little while
We shall hear me no more"
The Alcoholic has been problem
to himself and a source of trouble
to his family and friends. In recen'
years he has found solution il
Alcoholics Anonymous. Instead o.
saying his case is hopeless, he soor
learns that he cannot make a re
solution for a year, but rather jus
for an hour, and then until noon
He is told that the devil is always
/ just on the other side of the wall
We do not plan then for the veal
for no man knows what the mex
day will bring, but we are taugh
to Number our days, as thy day!
so shall thy strength be-" Thous
ands have found that life is no
all vanity, but inviting, interesting
! and challenging.
Experiments In Life
Most of us discount the accumu
lated knowledge of the past and ex
pertinent along individualistic lines
In old times there was a group o.
men called "Hokhma'', or wise
men. They gave little attention t.
rituals or ceremony but applied
themselves to study and scholar
ship. They sought to interpret life
solely from the standpoint Of hu
man knowledge. Ecclesiastes tried
this only to be disillusioned. The
more he saw and knew, the more
he was convinced that he knew but
little. Crooked things could not be
made straight and it turned Out
that he was striving after the
wind"
7 From the beginning Of time men
have tried battling for supremacy.
Wars have been fought and some
have tried to prove that nothing
was gained from all the battles OF
the world. It has been a test OF
worldly power and strength. Cen
eral Marshall has said that nations
have won, not by fire and steel,
but by the spirits of men. When the
hearts of men have been nodded
into a spirit of brotherhood, then
the peace which Christ prociaims
viii prevail.
Another experiment the author
tried, and many men fooishly try
today. is a life of mirth. Many
relish the social life thinking that
it will bring perfect satisfaction.
The Preacher tried building pal
aces, enjoying ease and comfort
with servants, luxury, song and
wine only to find that all this is
ashes, vanity. He said, 81 hated
life, because it was all emptiness,
and a feeding upon the wind. "
Pleasure without God makes life
worthless and there is feeling OF
futility all along the way.