Now of the countries that they visited one was famous for its gold and frankincense and precious stones. It was the land of Sheba to the south. Thither came the captains and crews of Solomon’s ships, and the queen heard of the strangers who had come to trade with them in their vessels from afar, men of a strange language. She sent for them to the court to hear from their own lips the wonderful things they had to tell of their great king, and of their God, and of Jerusalem. The mere pageantry of the visit to Jerusalem has hidden from us the true queenliness and spirit of this woman. It was no idle curiosity that prompted a journey involving so much risk and difficulty. Her very throne itself was imperilled by her departure and long absence. It is a proof of how firmly she was set in the affections of her people that she could venture to leave the land; a proof of her courage that she should dare set out on such a journey. Hearing of the wisdom of Solomon, hearing of the great things he had done for his people, hearing above all that he had brought such prosperity to the land that every man could sit safely under his own vine and fig-tree, she formed her purpose to go. If she could learn to do so much for her own people it were worth everything. When the merchants had gone we can see her turn to her statesmen, every inch a queen, and full already of her lofty purpose, address them thus, “If I could but secure such well-being for this nation of mine, I should count it cheaply earned if I went to the ends of the earth to get it.” It is also worthy of observation that this queen of the south was not content with hearing about Solomon. She did not listen to the tale these merchants told, and straightway forgot it all, as if it were of no further concern. She made up her mind, there and then, that if such a one lived she would go to him and ask such questions as he, and only he, could answer, that would give her peace and be a blessing to her people. So important was this matter that she did not send an ambassador to the king. To her they were so real and sacred she must go herself, and go she did. Oh, the misery of it is that such hosts among us are content with hearing about these blessings of God. Alas, there are thousands of people who think all this is only to be preached about, never to be sought after; only to be heard about, never really found.