Ecclesiastes 9:4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. I. IN RESPECT TO THE POSSESSION OF LIFE, We conclude, even under the greatest disadvantages, EXISTENCE IS BETTER THAN NON-EXISTENCE. To live is to be conscious. To think, to know, to reason, to act is elevation. To possess powers of estimating even misery is a matter for thankfulness. The difficulties of life should be faced courageously. "If we faint in the day of adversity our strength is small." We should always cherish hope; hope will give life. We should not yield to envy, for that is the foundation of despair. The rich have their annoyances, disappointments, trials, social ignorings and terrible losses; the poor can have their simple pleasures and healthful rest. Where there is the desire to make the best of circumstances it is wonderful how much of joy may be even found in positions that appear most pitiable. We are not wishing to imply that those under conditions of poverty should be content always to remain therein. On the contrary, we wish them ever to be seeking to improve their surroundings and their minds, but ever to remember that "a living dog is better than a dead lion." II. IN RESPECT TO THE DECISIONS WE MAY HAVE TO ARRIVE AT IN VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES the truth of the text may guide us. If a man seeking employment should find a task that appears to be below his dignity, or the pay below his desert, it is better to accept such a position than to be workless and go perhaps starving, or subsisting on charity. The poor say, frequently, "Half a loaf is better than none," and this is common sense. Further, in respect to some enterprise in which a man may be tempted to embark by the promise of great profits or interest, but for which he must sacrifice some steady, but less promising occupation, it would be well for him to remember the text. Better the certainty, though small, than the profits of alluring amount, but which are problematical. In bearing certain difficulties, misrepresentations, and evils we may remember that efforts to remove them may only increase them. It is "better to bear the ills we have than to fly to others that we know not of." III. IN JUDGING OF CERTAIN SYSTEMS the principle of the text is applicable. To-day we have to choose either rationalism, agnosticism, ultimate despair, universal suicide, or religion of some kind. We say better any form of religion than none, any vitality rather than death. Even if we have to decide between various forms of religion, we should seek that which promotes intellectual and spiritual life combined; but if we cannot find the spiritual advanced, and only cold formalism or intellectualism cultivated, then we must accept that which has life and warmth and love in it. Christianity is a system of doctrines concerning God and immortality. Anything that will keep alive the knowledge of the one and hope for the other is better than allowing it to die out. IV. The principle of the text applies in respect to THE POSSESSION OF SPIRITUAL LIFE. To have it in however low degree is better than to have to confess to its absence. Spiritual life is characterized by peace through faith in the one great sacrifice, effort after purity, love of the Word, and practice of prayer and charity toward all. Many of the poor and unlearned are rich in this possession. They have that which is a permanent possession, too — something which will not be destroyed at death or dissipated by one's heirs. Better be the poorest and most despised on earth, with this spiritual life, than the "lion of society" without it. He that is "least in the kingdom of heaven "is greater than the lordliest worldling. Lord Byron sent to a lady who once wrote to him, pressing upon him the necessity of religion, a reply which is in harmony with what we have been saying. He said: "I thank you for your interest in me. I am bound to say that all who entertain a belief in God and religion have a tremendous advantage; for it not only affords consolations in this life, but even if there is no hereafter it smooths the downward course of life and takes from death its darkness and fear." Yet, knowing that the "living dog was better than the dead lion," that erratic, that proud, that highly-talented genius turned away and lived for the world and for misery. Alas! many imitate him even now. (F. Hastings.) Parallel Verses KJV: For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. |
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