Article August 10, 1907 Issue

SOLOMON'S CONCLUSION

J. PARKER NAUGLE

The great king and wise man who is supposed to have imbibed more of material knowledge than all his predecessors, near the close of his earthly career summed up his conclusions with the words: "Vanity of vanities, ... all is vanity." This was the conclusion of one who had had the most wonderful experiences, and who seemingly had all the material blessings that could fall to the lot of man, but who had gradually become submerged in materialism, while still struggling to impart to his people a higher knowledge. No one was ever better fitted to arrive at a correct conclusion as to the value of materiality than was King Solomon. He had all that materiality can give,—riches, honor, and power greater than that wielded by any of his predecessors,—all that the world believes to be essential to happiness; but he had glimpses of reality, and in his more inspired moments he proclaimed all else to be vanity, nothingness. Until this conclusion was reached he had failed to realize the truth of being,—that happiness is a product of Mind, and that this alone is real and eternal.

How many of us have wandered in the wilderness of materialism, seeking happiness in self-gratification and self-love, until the truth dawned upon our mental vision, through Christian Science. Daily I thank our dear Leader for the truth given to us through Science and Health. It came to me after many years of ritualism and creed, and I had much to unlearn before I was ready for the revelation. Like Solomon, I had to learn that human philosophy and experience are vanity and nothingness. Then, and not till then, was I ready to accept Mrs. Eddy's inspired and inspiring words, "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all" (Science and Health, p. 468). Christian Science takes up the life-problem where Solomon left it,—proclaiming material belief as vanity, nothingness,—with the declaration that God is All. It unfurls the banner of Truth and points us to the highway of freedom from the bondage of mortal beliefs, and shows us how we may possess the most wonderful peace and joy through the knowledge of divine Principle, of God as Life.

Christian Science is rapidly bringing the truth to our age, and is changing the entire trend of thought. It is the finger-post pointing the way to the true life. It is showing daily the worthlessness of material things and the great value of spiritual things. It is staying those in the mad race for wealth, and opening up before them the untold treasure which visions of material things had obscured. It is opening the flood-gates of Love, and bringing peace and joy to the disappointed searcher for Truth, who like Solomon had found that neither riches nor pleasure could satisfy.

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