No two lives perhaps stand in greater contrast to each other than those of Solomon and of Paul. In Solomon a life of magnificence. Wisdom which penetrated man and overawed the evil while delighting the good. Wealth unbounded which enabled him to gratify every desire, every capacity for enjoyment. Talents of every sort:as a writer on many subjects, as an engineer, as an architect, as an organizer, as a ruler of men, until his capital became a palatial beauty, and the service about him beautiful to behold. All this made him a central figure among the greatest of the earth, and they showered praises and presents upon him-all of it enough to excite the envy of such as might pretend to be rivals, whether of his time or of any time.
In Paul's, a path of lowly service, in poverty, and reproach and much hardship. He had discovered who Jesus was and why He had left His glory in heaven to become a despised, reproached, suffering man on earth. It had enrapt his soul and, at whatever cost, through whatever labor and self-denial, he would only live now to make Him known to men, and to be a faithful witness of His before all, whether men or angels.
If Christ and His doctrine were foolishness to men, he would then be a fool in their eyes, for he had determined to know nothing but that among the earthly-wise.
Where Christ was loved he would be loved, and where Christ was hated he would be hated, for henceforth his life was bound up with Christ for time and for eternity.
But now the end has come. Both have had a good, long, fair trial, with little or no change in their respective circumstances. They are both looking back and telling their experience:"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity " moans Solomon; and he goes on in that strain throughout Ecclesiastes. Meanwhile Paul shouts:"I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing;" and quietly and peacefully he goes and puts his head on Caesar's block.
Reader with which man is your heart? with which one do you keep company? Were each of these two men in your city, and each at the same time inviting you to his presence-one to his magnificent feast, the other to his unknown corner to speak of his loved Saviour and Lord, which would get you? Think soberly, think before God; and if your heart is divided, if you dare not honestly say what you know well every child of God ought to be able to say without hesitation, then remember there is something wrong. Go into the sanctuary of God's presence, unbosom yourself, and He will do the rest. P. J. L.