wi11dom of the i:age almost Divine, But the wise ma.n knows himself too well to be thus deluded. The wisest man is aware that there are (1) problems he cannot solve; (2) errors he cannot correct; (3) evils he cannot remedy. On every side he is reminded how limited are his speculative and his practical powers. He is often all but helpless in the presence of questions that baffle his ingenuity, of difficulties that defy his endeRvours and his patience. III. THE DISAPPOINTMENT AND DISTRESS OF WISDOM. 1. One erroneous inference from the considerations adduced must be carefully guarded against, viz. the inference that folly is better than wisdom. The wise man mny not always come to a just conclusion as to belief and practice, but the fool will usually be misled by his folly. 2. The wise man is gradually disillusioned regarding himself. He may start in life with the persuasion of his power and commanding superiority; but his confidence is perhaps by slow ,legrees undermined, and he may end by forming a habit of self- distrust. 3. At the same time, the wise man becomes painfully conscious that he does not deserve the reputation which be enjoys among his fellow-men. 4. But, above all, he feels that his wisdom is folly in the presence of the all-wise God, to whose omniscience all things are clear, and from whose judgment there is no appeal. 6. Hence the wise man acquires the most valuable lesson or modesty and humility- qualities which give a crowning grace to true wisdom. The wise man assuredly would not exchange with the fool, but he would fain be wiser than he is; and he cherishes the conviction that whatever light illumines him is but a ray from tl.te central and eternal Sun.-T. Vers. 2, 3.-Human life and human labour. What is the worth of our human life? This is an old and ever-recurring question; the answer to it depends far less on what surrounds us than on what is within us, far less upon our circumstances than upon our spirit. But it must be acknowledged- !. THAT THE WORTH OF OUR LIFE DEPENDS LARGELY UPON ITS ACTIVITIES. We have to ask-How are we related to our fellows? What is the number and what the nature of the objects that minister to our comforts? What opportunities are there for leisure, for repose, for recreation? But the largest of all questions is this: What is the character of our activities~ Are th~e congenial or uninviting, burdensome or moderate, tedious or interesting, fruitful or barren, passing or permanent in their effects? IL THAT HU1UN ACTIVITY HAS ITS DEPRESSING ASPE0TS, So depressing .were they to •• the Preacher," that he pours forth his dejection of spirit in the strong exclamation· of the text. The valueleesness of all human labour made life itself seem to him to be vain. Three things there are that dwarf it. 1. Its slightness. A few men accomplish that which is observable, remarkable, worthy of being chronicled and remembered, making its mark on the paae of history or of poetry; but how few they are! The great majority of mankind ;pend all their strength _in _doing that _which _is of s~all account, which produces no calculable effect upon their times, of which no man thinks it worth while to speak or sing. 2. Its dependence on others. There are but very few indeed whose labour can be said to be original, independent, or creative. Almost every man is so working that if any of those who are co-operating with him were to withdraw their labour, his would be of no avail; his work would be quite unprofitabl6 but for their countenance and support. 3. Its insecurity, This is the main thought. of the text. What is the use of a man building up that which his neighbour may come and pull down; of gathering laboriously together that which the thief may lake away; of expending toilful days and exhausting energics_on_something which may bf taken from our grasp in the compass of an hour, at the b1dd1ng of one strong human will • of making long and weary preparation for later life, when the tie that binds us to the present sphere may be snapped in a moment? Insecurity, arising from one of a number of sources-the elemental forces of nature, the malice and treachery of men, despotism in government, the chances and changes of trade and commerce, failure of health and strength, sudden death, etc.-marks all the products of human activity with its own stamp, and brings down their value, who shall estimate how much? 'J'hc Preacher says to nothing. But let it be remembcred- TIT, THA'J' IjUM4N AC'flVJTY n.\S ns nED!l!'-MJKQ qu,\J,JTms, 'l'liis is only 'Inc view oir, r. 1-18.] ECCLEStA.STES; on, 'l'l:iE PREACHE:tt. 21
of it. Another nod n healthier view me.y be ta.ken of the subject, 1. .All honest a.ud faithful labour is worlhy in the sight of the wise man a.nd of the Wise One (Prov. xiv. 23). 2. All conscientious le.hour provides e. sphere for the active service of God; hy its honourable e.nd faithful discharge, as in his sight, we ca.n serve and please our Lord. 3. All such labour has a happy reflex influence on ourselves, strengthening us in body, in mind, in character. 4. All earnest work is really constructive of the kingdom of Christ. .Although we see not its issues a.nd cannot estimate its worth, we may be sure that " the day will clecla.re it," e.nd tba.t it will be found at la.st tha.t every true stroke we struck did tell a.nd count for truth and righteousness, for the ea.use of humanity and of Christ.-C.