The Pattern by JOS. CLARKE.

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 4, 1876

The Pattern.

By JOS. CLARKE.

“As it was showed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.” Ex. 27 : 7. “And look that thou make them after their pattern which was showed thee in the mount.” Ex. 25 : 40.

It appears that the Lord was very careful in the erection of the sanctuary to have all its parts in proper proportion and place, and to have it all made just like the pattern; that is, a perfect copy of the heavenly sanctuary.

God is unchangeable. We therefore learn from this lesson that he is still as particular as in the days of Moses, and that we must heed all his precepts as carefully as possible.

We see the mechanic mark out his work with much care and precision, and then how careful he is to follow closely to his plan.

Now Christ left his precepts of love and duty in the New Testament, and his servants, the apostles, have been inspired to apply their instructions to the daily life of his people, so that all may have the clear light of revelation upon the paths of life, and need not err in any particular.

As the carpenter keeps his eye upon the lines or outlines of his work, and is very careful to follow them in every turn, so the child of God should carefully study the pattern given in the New Testament, and keep those blessed precepts and bright examples continually in sight, and carefully follow them out in life.

The Old Testament too, what shall we do with that? Hear the good Gentile apostle Paul: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable,” none of its instruction is out of date, except those shadowy types.

“According to the pattern.” Look at the moral law of ten precepts, carefully note its brevity, and its breadth of comprehension; study its outlines, nor dare to vary from any of these precious commands. Do not cut across any of these carefully pencilled words; they were all inscribed by the great Architect.

JOS. CLARKE.