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〃In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble； And the strong men shall bow themselves； And the grinders cease because they are few； And those that look out of the windows be darkened； And the doors shall be shut in the streets；
〃When the sound of the grinding is low； And he shall rise up at the voice of the bird； And all the daughters of music shall be brought low；
〃Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high； And fears shall be in the way；
〃And the almond tree shall flourish； And the grasshopper shall be a burden； And desire shall fail：
〃Because man goeth to his long home； And the mourners go about the streets：
〃Or ever the silver cord be loosed； Or the golden bowl be broken； Or the pitcher be broken at the fountain； Or the wheel broken at the cistern。
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〃Then shall the dust return to the earth As it was： And the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it。〃 Ecclesiastes 12：1…7。
Not only to the youth； but to those of mature years； and to those who are descending the hill of life and facing the western sun； the life of Solomon is full of warning。 We see and hear of unsteadiness in youth； the young wavering between right and wrong； and the current of evil passions proving too strong for them。 In those of maturer years； we do not look for this unsteadiness and unfaithfulness； we expect the character to be established； the principles firmly rooted。 But this is not always so。 When Solomon should have been in character as a sturdy oak； he fell from his steadfastness under the power of temptation。 When his strength should have been the firmest； he was found to be the weakest。
From such examples we should learn that in watchfulness and prayer is the only safety for both young and old。 Security does not lie in exalted position and great privileges。 One may for many years have enjoyed a genuine Christian experience； but he is still exposed to Satan's attacks。 In the battle with inward sin and outward temptation； even the wise and powerful Solomon was vanquished。 His failure teaches us that； whatever a man's intellectual qualities may be； and however faithfully he may have served God in the past； he can never with safety trust in his own wisdom and integrity。
In every generation and in every land the true foundation
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and pattern for character building have been the same。 The divine law； 〃Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart； 。 。 。 and thy neighbor as thyself；〃 the great principle made manifest in the character and life of our Saviour； is the only secure foundation； the only sure guide。 Luke 10：27。 〃Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times； and strength of salvation；〃 the wisdom and knowledge which God's word alone can impart。 Isaiah 33：6。
It is as true now as when the words were spoken to Israel of obedience to His commandments： 〃This is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations。〃 Deuteronomy 4：6。 Here is the only safeguard for individual integrity； for the purity of the home； the well…being of society； or the stability of the nation。 Amidst all life's perplexities and dangers and conflicting claims； the one safe and sure rule is to do what God says。 〃The statutes of the Lord are right；〃 and 〃he that doeth these things shall never be moved。〃 Psalms 19：8； 15：5。
Those who heed the warning of Solomon's apostasy will shun the first approach of those sins that overcame him。 Only obedience to the requirements of Heaven will keep man from apostasy。 God has bestowed upon man great light and many blessings； but unless this light and these blessings are accepted； they are no security against disobedience and apostasy。 When those whom God has exalted to positions of high trust turn from Him to human wisdom； their light becomes darkness。 Their entrusted capabilities become a snare。
Till the conflict is ended； there will be those who will depart from God。 Satan will so shape circumstances that
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unless we are kept by divine power； they will almost imperceptibly weaken the fortifications of the soul。 We need to inquire at every step； 〃Is this the way of the Lord？〃 So long as life shall last； there will be need of guarding the affections and the passions with a firm purpose。 Not one moment can we be secure except as we rely upon God； the life hidden with Christ。 Watchfulness and prayer are the safeguards of purity。
All who enter the City of God will enter through the strait gateby agonizing effort； for 〃there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth。〃 Revelation 21：27。 But none who have fallen need give up to despair。 Aged men； once honored of God； may have defiled their souls； sacrificing virtue on the altar of lust； but if they repent； forsake sin； and turn to God； there is still hope for them。 He who declares； 〃Be thou faithful unto death； and I will give thee a crown of life；〃 also gives the invitation； 〃Let the wicked forsake his way； and the unrighteous man his thoughts： and let him return unto the Lord； and He will have mercy upon him； and to our God； for He will abundantly pardon。〃 Revelation 2：10； Isaiah 55：7。 God hates sin； but He loves the sinner。 〃I will heal their backsliding；〃 He declares； 〃I will love them freely。〃 Hosea 14：4。
Solomon's repentance was sincere； but the harm that his example of evil…doing had wrought could not be undone。 During his apostasy there were in the kingdom men who remained true to their trust； maintaining their purity and loyalty。 But many were led astray； and the forces of evil set in operation by the introduction of idolatry and worldly practices could not easily be stayed by the penitent king。
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His influence for good was greatly weakened。 Many hesitated to place full confidence in his leadership。 Though the king confessed his sin and wrote out for the benefit of after generations a record of his folly and repentance； he could never hope entirely to destroy the baleful influence of his wrong deeds。 Emboldened by his apostasy； many continued to do evil； and evil only。 And in the downward course of many of the rulers who followed him may be traced the sad influence of the prostitution of his God…given powers。
In the anguish of bitter reflection on the evil of his course； Solomon was constrained to declare； 〃Wisdom is better than weapons of war： but one sinner destroyeth much good。〃 〃There is an evil which I have seen under the sun； as an error which proceedeth from the ruler： folly is set in great dignity。〃
〃Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor： so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor。〃 Ecclesiastes 9：18； 10： 5； 6； 1。
Among the many lessons taught by Solomon's life； none is more strongly emphasized than the power of influence for good or for ill。 However contracted may be our sphere； we still exert an influence for weal or woe。 Beyond our knowledge or control； it tells upon others in blessing or cursing。 It may be heavy with the gloom of discontent and selfishness； or poisonous with the deadly taint of some cherished sin； or it may be charged with the life…giving power of faith； courage； and hope； and sweet with the fragrance of love。 But potent for good or for ill it will surely be。
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That our influence should be a savor of death unto death is a fearful thought； yet it is possible。 One soul misled； forfeiting eternal blisswho can estimate the loss！ And yet one rash act； one thoughtless word； on our part may exert so deep an influence on the life of another that it will prove the ruin of his soul。 One blemish on the character may turn many away from Christ。
As the seed sown produces a harvest； and this in turn is sown； the harvest is multiplied。 In our relation to others； this law holds true。 Every act； every word； is a seed that will bear fruit。 Every deed of thoughtful kindness； of obedienc