Solomon was the wise man of the Old Testament scriptures. He said, "And I gave my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all things that are done under heaven" (Eccl. 1: 13). In discussing why he had done it he said, "Till I might see what is good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all of the days of their life" (Eccl. 2:3).

In his instructions to the youth he said, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (Eccl. 12:1). We learn from this passage, that there are certain things essential that should begin in youth, namely: "Remember thy Creator." One that would try to please the Creator would try to find out what the Creator would have him to do, and then try to fulfill His desires.

Another thing mentioned here that should be avoided, is "evil days" that Solomon links to pleasure. One who never engages in evil will not have pleasure that results from sin. To follow after the Creator will lead us in the way of bountiful rewards. To pursue the way of pleasure will bring hardship, and the pleasure will only last for a season (Heb. 11:24,25). The worst part about engaging in the pleasures of sin is that its habits may get hold on us so that we may never be able to get away from them.

We can also be deceived as to what sin is. We so often think that because a thing is right within itself, it is not sin. A thing that is right normally can be a great sin when it is practiced as service to God. Halloween is now past. I saw members of the church having fun engaging in Halloween. I saw no harm in it. I see wrong in it, should the church have such a party to have fun, or for them to think it will be a great influence in gaining members.

Another thing we should notice is: Christianity is a spiritual service unto God. Some

one has said that if you have to feed a person pop and sandwiches to get him into the church, you will have to feed him ice cream and cake to keep him there. If you had to make a down out of a man to get him into the church, I do not know what you would have to do to keep him there. These problems arise when we get away from God's order of doing things. When you obey God, you obey "from the heart" that form of doctrine (Rom. 6:17). There is a vast difference in spiritual matters, and things that appeal to the desires of the flesh. The desires of the flesh are of a carnal nature, but the things that are commanded of God are spiritual.

There is much said in the Bible about meekness, humility, obedience and spirituality. Each of these principles is kept when we submit unto the authority of God. Sincerity is also wrapped up in these principles. When we have destroyed any one of these principles, we have destroyed sincerity. It is a pleasure when we worship God in all sincerity, but to introduce something into the services of God to please and appeal to the young folk, will kill the sincerity that God expects. It matters not how good what we do may seem, if it places pleasure in our young people where sincerity should be, it does not please God. This is a trend in the church today that should not be looked upon lightly.

Young people are having special attention most everywhere. I do not know who originated the idea that young people had to have special attention to keep them interested. I do not know who got the idea that the Bible had one standard for the young and another for the old. I am of the opinion that the Bible, if believed and obeyed, will make both young and old devoted Christians, and they can be kept busy every minute of the day in a faithful service to God. Their service will be because of a sincere love for Him. There will be no need for special interests to attract any, but we can all join hand in hand to extend the borders of the kingdom of God. This will bring pleasure to us here and we will be in remembrance of our Creator always.

TRUTH MAGAZINE X: 6, p. 1 March 1966