"You don't say! Oh, please, before we retire I wish to hear those speeches."

"I, as almost every one now-a-days, know them by heart; but I am tired, and I cannot repeat them. We are home again. You shall be better satisfied because you can hear them from the mouths of the Presidents themselves. Here is the phonograph-listen!"

CHAPTER XX.

THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON.

How glorious is the fruit of good labor!
The root of Wisdom shall never fall away.

Wisdom hath given me certain knowledge of the things that are; namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the elements.

The beginning, ending, and midst of the times; the alterations of the turnings of the sun, and the change of seasons.

The circuits of years and the positions of stars.

The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts; the violence of winds, and the reasonings of men; the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots. And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know.

For Wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me; for in her is an understanding spirit, holy, one only, manifold, subtle, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good, quick, which cannot be lessened, ready to do good.

Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure and most subtle spirits.

For Wisdom is more moving than any motion; she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness.

For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure

influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty; therefore can no defiled thing fall into her.

For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of His goodness.

And being but one, she can do all things; and remaining in herself, she maketh all things new; and in all ages entering into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God.

For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom. For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars; being compared with the light, she is found before it.

For after this cometh night; but vice shall not prevail against wisdom.

Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily, and sweetly doth she order all things.

I loved her, and sought her out from my youth; I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty.

If riches be a possession to be desired in this life, what is richer than wisdom that worketh all things?

If a man desire much experience, she knoweth things of old, and conjectureth aright what is to come, she knoweth the subtleties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences; she foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.

Therefore I purposed to take her to live with me, knowing that she would be a counsellor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief.

For her sake I shall have estimation among the mulitude, and honor with the elders, though I be young.

I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men.

When I hold my tongue, they shall abide my leisure, and

when I speak, they shall give good ear unto me; if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth.

Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me.

I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me.

Horrible tyrants shall be afraid when they do but hear I shall be found among the multitude, and valiant

of me;

in war.

After I have come into my house, I will repose myself with her; for her conversation hath no bitterness; and to live with her hath no sorrow, but mirth and joy.

Now, when I considered these things in myself, and poured them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality.

And great pleasure it is to have her friendship, and in the works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence, and in talking with her, a good report; I went about seeking how to take her to me.

For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit.

Yea, rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled. Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the Lord, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said:

O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word; and ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made:

And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart:

Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children.

For I thy servant, and son of thy handmaid, am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws.

For though a man be never so perfect among children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.

Thou hast chosen wisdom to be the king of thy people and a judge of thy sons and daughters.

Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount and an altar in the city wherein we dwell, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning.

And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments.

O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory, that being present she may labor with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto thee.

For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power. So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge thy people righteously.

For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? Or who can think what the will of the Lord is?

For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain.

For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthly tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things.

And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labor do we find the things that are before