_The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him._ THE WORDS OF KING LEMUEL I. The first thing that strikes us here is the mother. “The prophecy which his mother taught him.” 1. A mother’s anxiety. What shall he be? Better not to be, than to turn out a bad man. Seekest thou grea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction._ THE SIN OF CRUELTY TO THE BRUTE CREATION There is no necessary reference in this verse to the inferior animals. We use it merely for our accommodation. That there is such cruelty requires neither proof nor argu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who can find a virtuous woman?_ for her price is far above rubies. THE PROPHECY OF LEMUEL’S MOTHER There was never yet a woman who did not wish to have some part in the choice of her son’s wife; and the mother of king Lemuel was no exception to the rule. She knew the kind of woman that would make... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her children arise up, and call her blessed._ THE CHILDREN’S PRAISE This is part of the just debt owing to the virtuous woman. It is enough to make virtuous people happy that they are blessed of God. Yet this is thrown in as the reward of virtue, that among men also ordinarily it hath its praise.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all._ TO DAUGHTERS The world has dealt severely with woman. It has always been too fashionable to distort her character, and with cruel cowardice cast on her the entire blame for all the ills humanity endures. Long ago it was declared th... [ Continue Reading ]
_A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised._ A WOMAN WORTHY OF PRAISE This text recognises the fact that a woman seeks admiration. She loves to be praised. What is so natural and universal cannot be wrong. Generally speaking, a woman who has lost the desire of praise is a lost woman. Her... [ Continue Reading ]