A H addy M an " A happy man is a dead man, at least that’s what Hesiod believed. He was a Greek writer and teacher who, along with Homer, was con sidered by many Greeks as one of the earliest teachers of men. Hesiod had much to discourage him in life. Apparently he passed the winters in a bleak mountain home and had a brother who tried to get more than his share of a small family estate. Hesiod believed that the dead were happier than the living for the dead were free from the problems and disappointments of life. One Biblical writer not only believed the same thing (Eccl. 4:2), he went one step further. The writer of Ecclesiastes, undoubtedly Solomon, says that those who have never been born are better off than either the living or the dead for they have “ . . . not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.” (Eccl. 4:3) The agony of despair can drive one to long for death. Life in this century has problems that are enough to bring many people to agree with Hesiod and Solomon. Life is a dreary drag, and with the “ Christian athiests” proclaiming that God is dead, there is no hope. Many are ready to surrender the desire for life. The word Hesiod used for the dead was makares — “ the blessed.” “ Blessed” because they were oblivious to the miseries of life. That word of Hesiod shows up in one of the most inspiring verses of Scrip ture. Page 4 By J. RICHARD CHASE *
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