Ecclesiastes 4:1

_So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun._ THE NATURE AND WICKEDNESS OF OPPRESSION There is scarce any sin against which more is said in the Word of God, or which is more reproachful to a man and to a Christian, or more mischievous to society, than oppression.... [ Continue Reading ]

Ecclesiastes 4:2

_Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive._ THE APPLAUSE OF THE DEAD REGULATED, VINDICATED AND IMPROVED Scripture itself sets us an example of applauding the virtues of the departed; but I think that in our funeral sermons, in our obituaries and... [ Continue Reading ]

Ecclesiastes 4:4-8

_Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour._ AN OLD PORTRAIT OF MODERN MEN Here is a portrait, drawn by a man who lived thousands of years ago, of three distinct types of character that you find everywhere about you. I. Here is a man work... [ Continue Reading ]

Ecclesiastes 4:6

_Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit._ QUALITY BETTER THAN QUANTITY The “quietness” here spoken of is not the inactivity of sloth, but that restfulness of spirit which an industrious man may enjoy when his industry is pervaded by a cheer... [ Continue Reading ]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

_Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour._ THE NECESSITY AND BENEFITS OF RELIGIOUS SOCIETY I. Prove the truth of the wise man’s assertion, that, “two are better than one, and that in reference to society in general, and religious societies in particular.” And how c... [ Continue Reading ]

Ecclesiastes 4:12

_A threefold cord is not quickly broken._ A THREEFOLD CORD I have read somewhere that the ancient Thebans had in their army a band of men who were pledged to friendship and fellowship with each other. They were therefore almost irresistible; they held together by a union caused by a living princip... [ Continue Reading ]

Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

_Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished._ ON THE ADVANTAGES OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE TO THE LOWER ORDERS OF SOCIETY There is no topic on which the Bible maintains a more lucid and entire consistency of sentiment than the superiority of moral ove... [ Continue Reading ]

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