SERPENTS IN HEDGES. A PLEA FOR MODERATION IN THE HOURS EMPLOYED IN BUSINESS. BY SAMUEL MARTIN, MINISTER OF WESTMINSTER CHAPEL, WESTMINSTER. "If God had laid all common, certainly Man would have been the incloser; but since now, Man breaks the fence, and every ground will plough." GEORGE HERBERT. "I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge." LONDON: WARD AND CO., 27, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1850. 21521 SERPENTS IN HEDGES. SOLOMON hath written (Ecclesiastes x. 8), "WHOSO BREAKETH AN HEDGE, A SERPENT SHALL BITE HIM." In these few words, we have both parable and proverb. The parable is this: A certain man is the owner of a portion of land. This land is enclosed with a hedge, by which the property is both described and defended. In order to intrude on this property, some person-say a neighbourbegins to break down and pluck up the bushes of which the hedge is composed. While he is destroying the fence, a serpent springs from its hidingplace (in the hedge), and, fastening on the intruder, wounds him with its bite. And thus, in endeavouring to injure another, the aggressor is himself injured; and he who thought to gain by doing evil to his neighbour, obtains bodily suffering-and nothing better-while he loses present health, and endangers even his life. All this is included in the saying, "Whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him." But as the similitude unfolded could not be often repeated and extensively employed, it is wrapped up in the short sentence quoted. On account of its brevity, it may be easily received and held-it can be uttered in half as many seconds as there are words: for this reason it is likely to be frequently repeated, and thus to become the property of the many; while, if it were a parable only, and not a proverb also, it would inevitably be in the possession only of a few. Observe here the nature and the use of proverbs. They are swift-winged sayings, intended, by the rapidity of their flight, to move over the whole world. But there is one disadvantage attending the use of proverbs, against which we shall do well to take heed. By the terseness and pungency of the proverbial form of words an influence is exerted on our minds; and this merely verbal effect is likely to be mistaken for the influence of the sentiment. Hence, men may think they understand a proverb, while they know nothing of its interpretation; and they may not only receive, but repeat, proverbs, without really knowing their intent. As to possess ourselves of the kernel of a nut we must pierce the shell, so, to know a proverb (and especially a parabolic proverb), we must carefully penetrate the words. "Whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him." This proverb is parabolic; and what, we proceed to inquire, is figured forth by this similitude? The immediate object for which Solomon introduces the words will direct our reply to this question. The wise man saith, "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth." Then follows-" He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him." In the context it will be seen-a people are supposed to be cursed with incompetent rulers. Men competent for rulership are controlled by persons who require to be themselves governed, and who are totally unequal to rule. The real foot in the body politic occupies the position of the head, and the natural head sustains the relation of the foot. Those who are thus oppressed by "folly set in great dignity," need redress from their wrongs, and are disposed to seek it. But they are tempted to seek it amiss. They are allured to violence or to treachery-they are enticed to try to ensnare their rulers, and to endeavour to break down the fences of order, legitimate authority, and ordained power. To men in such circumstances, the warning is addressed. "Whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him." There is another side to the application of this proverb. The men who embody "folly set in great dignity" fail of moral and right influence in government. Feeling, however, that they must govern, and being incompetent to govern lawfully, they try to gain subjection by tricks, or they exact obedience by tyranny. And to such the caution is directed-" Whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him." But the appliIcation is far wider than this. * Ecc. x. 5-8. |