Esther 5:13 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. A forcible writer of our day has some remarks to the point which will well bear quotation — a few words only being altered. He is speaking of the great Lord Bacon. After describing the chancellor's strenuous efforts within his library, where his rare powers were guided by an enlarged philanthropy and a sincere love of truth, this writer observes: "Far different was the situation of the great philosopher when he Came forth from his study and laboratory to mingle with the crowd which filled the galleries of Whitehall. In all that crowd there was no man equally qualified to render great and lasting services to mankind. But in all that crowd there was not a heart more set on things which no man ought to suffer to be necessary to his happiness — on things which can often be obtained only by the sacrifice of integrity and honour. To be the leader of the human race in the career of improvement ... to be revered by the latest generations as the most illustrious among the benefactors of mankind — all this was within his reach. But all this availed him nothing, while some quibbling special pleader was promoted before him to the bench, while some obscure commoner took precedence of him by virtue of a purchased coronet... while some buffoon, versed in all the latest scandal of the court, could draw a louder laugh from the king." This illustration shows how the profoundest intellect may be enslaved by a puerile self-conceit. It shows that refined mental power, together with exalted rank, immense reputation, European greatness (in fact or in tendency), may yet be coupled with a wretched, drivelling idolatry of toys and follies. And the difference is soon reached; we see that the soul of man is too capacious to be filled by the largest gifts of earth, and that time will not satisfy the cravings of a spirit made for eternity. Parallel Verses KJV: Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.WEB: Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." |
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