SOLOMON;

OR, GRACE IS BETTER THAN WISDOM.

It is a melancholy sight to look upon a lofty and wide-spreading tree, which has gone on for years increasing in magnificence; but suddenly a blight sweeps across it, its boughs droop, and its leaves wither, and nothing of it is left but its dry and unsightly trunk. It is melancholy to stand and admire some beautiful building, and then to return in a few years and find that building nothing better than a decayed and tottering ruin!

But much more sad is it to behold a man of exalted rank, and of extraordinary wisdom, and who at one time bade fair to be a true servant of God—it is sad, I say, to see such an one falling into sin, and ending his days, which were once so bright, in gloom and misery.

Such was the case with Solomon. His

royal father had taken much pains to bring him up in the fear of God, and his heart seemed at one time to be impressed with true religion. So much so, that it was said of him, that "he loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David."

He came to the throne at the age of eighteen, David having given up the kingdom to him in his latter days. And his reign was upon the whole a very peaceable one, though it began with the shedding of blood. There were four persons whom he felt bound to punish very severely, as soon as he became king.

One of these was Adonijah, who had plotted against him, and attempted to wrest the kingdom from him. The only way to rid himself of such a troublesome enemy was to put him to death.

Another was Joab, who had been a great general, both under Saul and David. He was a most dangerous man; and, to preserve peace, he too must be executed.

Shimei again was a man who had behaved infamously to David; and, although the greatest mercy had been shown him,

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and his life had been spared, he had since broken his oath, and shown himself to be a thoroughly false and bad man. He also was condemned to die.

The fourth was Abiathar the high priest. He had deserved death, like the others, for taking part in the conspiracy; but Solomon spared his life, though he degraded him from his high office, and banished him from the kingdom.

And now Solomon gave himself up to the great and important work of governing his people. His was a high station, and his task was a most difficult one. But the Lord, in order to fit him for it, made him one of the most gracious offers ever bestowed on man. He appeared to him in a vision of the night, and proposed to give him whatever he should ask. This was a large offer indeed, and Solomon did not abuse it. And what, think you, was the choice of the young prince? Did he ask for beauty, or health, or long life, or honour, or wealth? No, he felt there was something better even than these. He knew that the office to

which he was called was a most arduous one. And therefore he asked for wisdom. Such a petition could not but be pleasing to God; and He at once declared that the wisdom he desired should be given him; and, more than that, that he should also have riches and honours far beyond that of other kings.

How large was this promise which God made to Solomon-that He would give him whatsoever he should ask! And yet He makes to each one of His believing people a promise equally large :-" Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Oh, what gifts the Lord would bestow upon us, did we but ask in simple, earnest faith! If we came with our wants to His throne, pleading the name of Christ, we should never be refused, if only we asked for right things, and in a right way. Put God often to the trial, and you will not find His ear heavy, or His hand slack.

It was soon seen that Solomon was singularly gifted with the wisdom which was promised him. An instance of this is specially mentioned in Scripture. On one

occasion two mothers, who lived under the same roof, came to him in a state of great grief and excitement. They both had infants; and upon the death of one they each laid claim to the child that was spared. Their claims seemed one as strong as the other, so that it was hard to determine to which of them the child really belonged. "Divide the living child," said Solomon, "and give half to the one, and half to the other." This wise sentence had the desired effect; for it discovered the real mother, who earnestly begged that the living infant might be spared.

Solomon's dominion grew remarkably, and his wealth was exceeding great. This, and his wisdom, induced strangers from all quarters to visit him. Among the rest, the Queen of Sheba heard of his fame; and many miles did she travel to satisfy her curiosity. She wished to judge for herself; and she was by no means disappointed. After spending a few days with him at Jerusalem, she came to this conclusion"She said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts