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Article THE YOUTH OF SOLOMON. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Youth Of Solomon.
The moral sentiments which are formed in youth spring in the first and purest state of the human mind , when no habits of life have contracted its powers . It comes in that happy season when life is new , and hope unbroken ; when nature seems everywhere to rejoice around , and when the love of God rises unbidden in the soul . At such a period the practise
of virtue is not a service of necessity , but of joy . If there be a moment in human life in which the foundation of a virtuous character can lie laid , it is at this period . If there be a discipline which can call forth every noble faculty of the soul , it is such early exercises of morality . They establish a tone and character of thought which is
allied to every virtuous purpose . They afford those prospects of the providence of God which can best give support and confidence to virtue . While yet the world is unknown , and the calm morning of life is undisturbed by passions , it awakens desires of a nobler kind than the usual pursuits of life can gratify , and forms in secret those habits of elevated thought which are , of all others , the most valuable acquisitions of youthful years , and which , whether in the imrsuit . s
of action or of speculation , fit it for future attainments in truth and virtue , beyond the reach of ordinary men : so the mind is brought from a state of darleness , gradually , to the light of truth . The moral teachings of early life have an influence which are never forgotten . They represent man in colours which afford the most dignified aspect of his nature . They
represent him as formed in the image of his Maker , and as crowned with glory and honour . They represent life , not as the short and fleeting space of temporary being , but as the preparation only for immortal existence . It rejircsonts all this , too , in the season of youth , when no lower passions have taken dominion of his heart , and when his powers are
till susceptible of being moulded by the ends which are placed before him . In such views of man , all the best qualities of his nature arise involuntarily in tho soul : the charity which burns to diffuse happiness ; the fortitude which no obstacles can retard , and no dangers can appal , in the road of immortality ; the constancy which , loosing in the rjromises of heaven , presses forward in the path of strenuous and persevering virtue . Such views also level all those vain
distinctions among men which , in one class of society , tire productive of oppression and pride , and in the other , of baseness . The first degree of Masonry illustrates humility and deprivation , and instructs us how to practise the one and bear the other with patience and resignation . It teaches us that " we are descended from the same stock , partakers of the same natureand share tho same hope and though
distinc-, ; tions among men arc necessary to preserve subordination , yet no eminence of station should make us forget that wc are brethren ; for he who is ] uaced on the lowest spoke of fortune ' s wheel may bo entitled to our regard ; because a time will come , and the wisest knows not how soon , when all distinctions but that of goodness shall ceaseand deaththe
, , grand leveller of all reduce us to the samestatc . " It is the piety of youthful days which can afford the best preservative against all dark and unjust conceptions of life . Before the experience of life lias made any impression on their minds , before they descend into the "wilderness " through which they are to travel , it shows them from afar
the " promised land . " It carries their view to the whole course of their being , and while no narrow objects have yet absorbed their desires , shows them its termination in another scene , in which the balance of good and evil will be adjusted by the unerring hand of God . Under such views of nature , the system of Divine Providence appears in all its majesty and beaut
y . Beginning hero , in the feeble and imperfect state of man , it spreads itself out into forms of ascending being , in which the heart expands while it contemplates tbeni , aud closes at last in scenes which arc obscured only from the excess of their splendour . With such conceptions 01 their miture , life meets the young in its real colours—not as the
idle abode of effeminate p leasure , but as the school in which their souls are formed to great attainments ; not as tho soft shade in which every manly and honourable qualit y is to dissolve , but as the field in which glory , honour , and immortality are to be won . Whatever may be the aspect which it may assumewhatever the scenes in which they are called to
, act or to suffer , the promises of God still brighten on their view ; and their souls , deriving strength from trial , and confidence from experience , settle at last in that humble but holy spirit of resignation which , when rightly understood , comprehends the sum of human happiness . Such arc the natural effects of human instruction .
" Now the prayer of Solomon pleased the Lord that he had asked this thing , and God said unto him , Because thou hast asked this thing , and hast not asked for thyself long life , neither hath asked riches for thysellj nor hast asked the life of thine enemies , but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment ; behold , I have done according to th y
words : lo , I have given thee a wise and understanding heart : so that there was none like thee before thee , neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee . And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked , both riches and honour ; so that there shall not bo any among kings like unto thee all thy days . "
In every part of scripture , in the same manner , it is remarkable with what singular tenderness the season of youth is always mentioned , and what hopes arc afforded to tho devotion of the young ! It was at that age that God appeared unto Moses , when lie fed his flock in tho desert , and called him to the command of his own people . It was at
that age he visited the infant Samuel while he ministered in the temple of the Lord . It was at that age that his Spirit fell upon David , while he was yet the youngest of his father ' s sons , and when among the mountains of Bethlehem ho fed his father ' s shceji . These are the effects and promises of youthful piety ; and our young craftsmen should rejoice in those days which
are never to return ; when virtue conies to them in all its charms , and when the God of nature reveals himself to their souls like tho mild radiance of the morning sun . If , like Solomon , devotion has taught thcin its secret pleasures ; if , when nature meet them in all its mngnificenco or beauty , their hearts humble themselves in adoration before the hand which made themand rejoicing in the contemplation of the
, wisdom by which they are maintained ; if such arc the meditations in which their useful hours are passed , let them not renounce , for all that life can offer in exchange , these solitary joys . In these days , "the Lord himself is the Shepherd , and thou dost not want . " Amid "the green pastures and b y the still waters of youth he now makes
thy soul to repose . " But the years draw ni g h when life shall call the young craftsman to its trials ; the evil days arc on the wing , when " thou shalt say thou hast no pleasure in them ; " and , as thy steps advance , the valley of the shadow of death opens , through which he must pass at last . It is then ho shall know what it is to " remember his Creator
in the days of his youth . " In these days of trial or of awe " His Spirit shall be with you , " and he shall fear no ill ; and , amid every evil which surrounds them , Ho shall restore his soul ; His goodness and mercy shall follow him all the days of his life , " and , when at last , " the silver cord is loosed , his spirit shall return to the God who gave it , and he shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever . "
SMYRNA AND Aims RAILWAY . —The Impartial , of Smyrna , states that the Turkish Government has appointed the Imperial Commission for adjudicating causes of expropriation , land damages , & c , in the province of Smyrna . Rechad Bey has been appointed President , and Bro . Hyde Clarke , Vice-President . The Impartial , says of the latter , " AA e cannot fail to applaud this choice of Bro . Clarke for a mission so delicate , persuaded , as we are that by bis rare qualifications the reprcsonfcatire oi the company will bo able to conciliate the interests of the company with the duty of protecting the landowners against illegal acts .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Youth Of Solomon.
The moral sentiments which are formed in youth spring in the first and purest state of the human mind , when no habits of life have contracted its powers . It comes in that happy season when life is new , and hope unbroken ; when nature seems everywhere to rejoice around , and when the love of God rises unbidden in the soul . At such a period the practise
of virtue is not a service of necessity , but of joy . If there be a moment in human life in which the foundation of a virtuous character can lie laid , it is at this period . If there be a discipline which can call forth every noble faculty of the soul , it is such early exercises of morality . They establish a tone and character of thought which is
allied to every virtuous purpose . They afford those prospects of the providence of God which can best give support and confidence to virtue . While yet the world is unknown , and the calm morning of life is undisturbed by passions , it awakens desires of a nobler kind than the usual pursuits of life can gratify , and forms in secret those habits of elevated thought which are , of all others , the most valuable acquisitions of youthful years , and which , whether in the imrsuit . s
of action or of speculation , fit it for future attainments in truth and virtue , beyond the reach of ordinary men : so the mind is brought from a state of darleness , gradually , to the light of truth . The moral teachings of early life have an influence which are never forgotten . They represent man in colours which afford the most dignified aspect of his nature . They
represent him as formed in the image of his Maker , and as crowned with glory and honour . They represent life , not as the short and fleeting space of temporary being , but as the preparation only for immortal existence . It rejircsonts all this , too , in the season of youth , when no lower passions have taken dominion of his heart , and when his powers are
till susceptible of being moulded by the ends which are placed before him . In such views of man , all the best qualities of his nature arise involuntarily in tho soul : the charity which burns to diffuse happiness ; the fortitude which no obstacles can retard , and no dangers can appal , in the road of immortality ; the constancy which , loosing in the rjromises of heaven , presses forward in the path of strenuous and persevering virtue . Such views also level all those vain
distinctions among men which , in one class of society , tire productive of oppression and pride , and in the other , of baseness . The first degree of Masonry illustrates humility and deprivation , and instructs us how to practise the one and bear the other with patience and resignation . It teaches us that " we are descended from the same stock , partakers of the same natureand share tho same hope and though
distinc-, ; tions among men arc necessary to preserve subordination , yet no eminence of station should make us forget that wc are brethren ; for he who is ] uaced on the lowest spoke of fortune ' s wheel may bo entitled to our regard ; because a time will come , and the wisest knows not how soon , when all distinctions but that of goodness shall ceaseand deaththe
, , grand leveller of all reduce us to the samestatc . " It is the piety of youthful days which can afford the best preservative against all dark and unjust conceptions of life . Before the experience of life lias made any impression on their minds , before they descend into the "wilderness " through which they are to travel , it shows them from afar
the " promised land . " It carries their view to the whole course of their being , and while no narrow objects have yet absorbed their desires , shows them its termination in another scene , in which the balance of good and evil will be adjusted by the unerring hand of God . Under such views of nature , the system of Divine Providence appears in all its majesty and beaut
y . Beginning hero , in the feeble and imperfect state of man , it spreads itself out into forms of ascending being , in which the heart expands while it contemplates tbeni , aud closes at last in scenes which arc obscured only from the excess of their splendour . With such conceptions 01 their miture , life meets the young in its real colours—not as the
idle abode of effeminate p leasure , but as the school in which their souls are formed to great attainments ; not as tho soft shade in which every manly and honourable qualit y is to dissolve , but as the field in which glory , honour , and immortality are to be won . Whatever may be the aspect which it may assumewhatever the scenes in which they are called to
, act or to suffer , the promises of God still brighten on their view ; and their souls , deriving strength from trial , and confidence from experience , settle at last in that humble but holy spirit of resignation which , when rightly understood , comprehends the sum of human happiness . Such arc the natural effects of human instruction .
" Now the prayer of Solomon pleased the Lord that he had asked this thing , and God said unto him , Because thou hast asked this thing , and hast not asked for thyself long life , neither hath asked riches for thysellj nor hast asked the life of thine enemies , but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment ; behold , I have done according to th y
words : lo , I have given thee a wise and understanding heart : so that there was none like thee before thee , neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee . And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked , both riches and honour ; so that there shall not bo any among kings like unto thee all thy days . "
In every part of scripture , in the same manner , it is remarkable with what singular tenderness the season of youth is always mentioned , and what hopes arc afforded to tho devotion of the young ! It was at that age that God appeared unto Moses , when lie fed his flock in tho desert , and called him to the command of his own people . It was at
that age he visited the infant Samuel while he ministered in the temple of the Lord . It was at that age that his Spirit fell upon David , while he was yet the youngest of his father ' s sons , and when among the mountains of Bethlehem ho fed his father ' s shceji . These are the effects and promises of youthful piety ; and our young craftsmen should rejoice in those days which
are never to return ; when virtue conies to them in all its charms , and when the God of nature reveals himself to their souls like tho mild radiance of the morning sun . If , like Solomon , devotion has taught thcin its secret pleasures ; if , when nature meet them in all its mngnificenco or beauty , their hearts humble themselves in adoration before the hand which made themand rejoicing in the contemplation of the
, wisdom by which they are maintained ; if such arc the meditations in which their useful hours are passed , let them not renounce , for all that life can offer in exchange , these solitary joys . In these days , "the Lord himself is the Shepherd , and thou dost not want . " Amid "the green pastures and b y the still waters of youth he now makes
thy soul to repose . " But the years draw ni g h when life shall call the young craftsman to its trials ; the evil days arc on the wing , when " thou shalt say thou hast no pleasure in them ; " and , as thy steps advance , the valley of the shadow of death opens , through which he must pass at last . It is then ho shall know what it is to " remember his Creator
in the days of his youth . " In these days of trial or of awe " His Spirit shall be with you , " and he shall fear no ill ; and , amid every evil which surrounds them , Ho shall restore his soul ; His goodness and mercy shall follow him all the days of his life , " and , when at last , " the silver cord is loosed , his spirit shall return to the God who gave it , and he shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever . "
SMYRNA AND Aims RAILWAY . —The Impartial , of Smyrna , states that the Turkish Government has appointed the Imperial Commission for adjudicating causes of expropriation , land damages , & c , in the province of Smyrna . Rechad Bey has been appointed President , and Bro . Hyde Clarke , Vice-President . The Impartial , says of the latter , " AA e cannot fail to applaud this choice of Bro . Clarke for a mission so delicate , persuaded , as we are that by bis rare qualifications the reprcsonfcatire oi the company will bo able to conciliate the interests of the company with the duty of protecting the landowners against illegal acts .