Review and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 11. (3/17/1910)

Review and Herald

Mar 17, 1910

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 17, 1910

MY GUIDE

By Robert J. Burdette

THERE is no path in this desert waste, For the winds have swept the shifting sands; The trail is blind where the storms have raced, And a stranger, I, in these fearsome lands. But I journey on with a lightsome tread; I do not falter nor turn aside; For I see His figure, just ahead— He knows the way I take—My Guide.

There is no path in this trackless sea; No map is lined on the restless waves; The ocean snares are strange to me Where the unseen wind in its fury raves; But it matters naught; my sails are set, And my swift prow tosses the seas aside; For the changeless stars are steadfast yet, And I sail by His star-blazed trail—My Guide.

There is no way in this starless night; There is naught but cloud in the inky skies; The black night smothers me, left and right, I stare with a blind man's straining eyes; But my steps are firm, for I can not stray; The path to my feet seems light and wide; For I hear His voice—“I am the way!” And I sing as I follow Him on—My Guide.

— Robert J. Burdette.

TEMPERANCE TORCHLIGHTS

By Matilda Erickson

A BOOK which should be in the hands of every temperance worker in America, and in every home where a barricade against intemperance is being raised, is—

TEMPERANCE TORCHLIGHTS

By MATILDA ERICKSON

Hundreds of writers have contributed to make this book a veritable temperance encyclopedia—“multum in parvo;” 250 pages, with nearly a dozen departments and hundreds of sketches, anecdotes, and timely statistical references and comparisons.

“TEMPERANCE TORCHLIGHTS” will serve you whenever you have need of a temperance handbook. Order at our risk. If the book is not all you expect—if it disappoints in the least—send it back, and the purchase price will be refunded.

Price, in cloth, ............................ $0.50

“Practical Guide”

Thousands of home medical reference works have been sold that were not worth the paper they were printed on. The “Practical Guide” is up to date. It is at once the cheapest, the best, and the most readily consulted book of its kind. Cloth, $3.

“Colds”

Have you caught your spring cold yet? If not, it’s coming. Get ready for it by reading Dr. Heald’s “Colds; Their Cause, Prevention, and Cure.” Here, again, is much in little. A copy costs a quarter.

“Home and Health”

Every time you glance into this book, you learn something new. And you will glance often, once it is upon your table, for a more attractive volume was never produced. Contains almost as much information as a dictionary, in much more interesting form. Cloth, $3.

Editorial

By Editor

The Test. — In the third number of the REVIEW, December, 1850, still issued in Paris, Maine, Elder Joseph Bates wrote of the testing point in the judgment-hour message, culminating in 1844. Though Elder Bates was the first among us to begin to publish, he very seldom wrote for our papers after the first few years. Out of his experience in the judgment-hour cry, however, he bore this witness:—

The basis of the whole argument rested on the termination of the 2300 days [years] which were to begin at the going forth of a certain decree to restore and build Jerusalem after the Babylonish captivity. See Dan. 9: 25. It was clearly established that this decree was given to Ezra, by the Persian King Artaxerxes, in the seventh year of his reign, the chronological date of which is B. C. 457. See Ezra 7: 7, 12, 13; see also date in the margin. It was admitted on all hands that if this date was right, the whole argument was conclusive.

Bearing Closest Scrutiny. — This time prophecy was the vital point which opponents of the advent movement sought to attack. Elder Bates tells of their failure:—

This date, B. C. 457, was the testing point. . . . Learned men, both in and out of the colleges, ministers, and historians throughout the land, raised all their most weighty objections. Chronology was examined, and re-examined, discussion after discussion was had between them and the leading men in the advent doctrine. It was finally settled, as far as it then could be, that advent believers had the clear light that B. C. 457 was the only and true point from which to count the 2300 days.

With one voice those early advent believers united in sounding the cry that the judgment hour would come in 1844. And they were right.

Where Confusion Followed. — Had the main body of those believers held fast to the truth that the judgment hour came in 1844, they would have been led on into the true view of the heavenly sanctuary, the investigative judgment, and the third angel's message. But they threw away the fundamental point of the time prophecy, adopted other and conflicting views, and confusion followed. Elder Bates, in this article, tells how they moved the date to 1845, then 1846, 1847, then 1849, and to the autumn of 1850, which latter date had just passed as Elder Bates wrote. He says they found it “easy to stretch and move the dates of history.” Thus the main body left the right path, and confusion followed. “Time has not been a test since 1844, and it will never again be a test.”

Turning the Hearts of Men

By W. A. S.

THOUGH no angel form was visible as Paul stood the first time before the Roman court, forsaken by his friends, he knew that the warding off of the expected blow of condemnation was by the direct delivering power of God. “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me,” he wrote, “and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” The angel of the Lord’s delivering power was there just as much as when Peter was led out of prison by the visible messenger to the surprise of the church that was praying for his deliverance. Sometimes, in the Bible story, it has been by turning the hearts of magistrates or judges that the deliverance has been wrought; and so it has been in the modern story.

Here is an incident from Germany, of the earlier days of our work, when it was struggling for a foothold there. One of our young men was called to military drill, and was diligent in his work till the Sabbath came. The record states:—

When Friday evening came, he quietly told his officers his convictions concerning the Sabbath, but they would not render any decision. Sabbath morning came. He was called, and several officers remonstrated with him. The martial law was read; he was threatened; but he remained firm for hours. When our people in that place assembled for their worship, and prayed for their brother in trial, to their great surprise he stepped in, being freed; and with them praised the Lord, who had done the deed.

In another case, in the same country, a young brother called to military drill, passed through this experience:—

On the first Friday evening, after asking God to help him, he went to the captain and told him that the next day was the Sabbath of the Lord, which he would have to keep holy, giving the reasons. The captain was astonished, and said that this was impossible; he would have to do service the next day by all means. Sabbath morning arrived. Twelve times he was called to take his place. As he remained steadfast, he was threatened with imprisonment in a fortress. They finally told him that he would be shot if he persisted. His answer was, “My Saviour has died for me; why should I not be ready to die for him and his commandments?”

He was brought into a large hall, where thirty officers were assembled as a court martial, and where he was asked to defend himself. He told them he had a hundred Scripture texts for the Sabbath, and if they could show him one text for Sunday, he would be willing to submit. They called for the chaplain, who spoke with him for some time; but all present saw that this brother was in the right. Often they said, “The Bible does not say so;” and then he would turn and read it. They asked him who taught him. His reply was, “The Bible.” They asked him for publications concerning this doctrine, and took all he had. Some gave their addresses for more. He told them that if they punished him for keeping the Sabbath commandment, they ought to punish all others for keeping the other nine commandments. They were perplexed, and finally wrote in his papers, “Not fit for military service on account of hallucinations, and therefore entirely dismissed.” To his protests against such a declaration when he was in possession of his senses, they replied begging him to rest satisfied.

“We all see in this,” said the reporter (in 1896), “the gracious dealings of the Lord, who has freed his servant, be the ground of his release what it may.”

Only recently, in another land, this question of working on the Sabbath while in military service was coming up in the case of a young man called to the ranks, under circumstances that seemed inevitably bringing the cause of truth into sore trial in a new field. The little band of believers turned to God, with their faith fixed upon the promise of the Saviour:—

“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place: and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matt. 17: 20, 21.

As they fasted and prayed, the young man went up to the receiving station; and the authorities dismissed him from duty—for no apparent reason whatever. “It was the Lord who did it,” wrote one of the praying band.

It is the Lord with his angels close at hand to help, that we need now, with this message that we must carry within a few years to every nation and tongue. If ever bearers of the gospel tidings needed the direct and interposing help of divine power, we do; for we are helpless before the mighty task, with hundreds of languages and tongues yet to hear, and a hostile world arming itself for Armageddon. But above all is the God of heaven keeping watch and ward over his own work and cause. W. A. S.

_Ways of Working_

By F. M. W.

A LIVING Christian is a working Christian. The life of Jesus Christ was an intensely active life. His was a positive, aggressive Christianity. This spirit will actuate those in whom he actively dwells. He has given every man his work. In his broad harvest-field there is a place for every man, woman, and child who desires to labor for him. It is not enough for one to say to-day that he can not find anything to do, or any channel in which thus to express his service of love. There have been suggested many ways and means whereby we may do this. A few of these we will enumerate here:—

1. Visit the sick and those in distress. The visiting of the fatherless and the widow, according to the apostle James, is a proof of pure religion. These unfortunate ones may be found everywhere. There is no home where sorrow or distress does not sometime intrude. As messengers of light and comfort we may minister to the Master in the person of his children.

2. Closely akin to ministry to the sick is the doing of so-called Christian Help work. Years ago this work was profitably done in the vicinity of many of our churches. Of late it has fallen into disuse. Let it be revived in every community. Let us take the excellent principles of health which God has given us, the knowledge which we possess of simple treatments, and minister particularly to those in need.

3. Distribution of tracts and periodicals. To many of our friends and neighbors we may loan a tract or a paper calling attention to some interesting article, and we shall find them more than ready to read some of our publications. This may be the entering wedge whereby their interest will be enlisted in the truth for this time.

4. Missionary correspondence. Many Seventh-day Adventists have become such by tracts and papers sent them through the mails in years gone by. There needs to be a revival of this old-time missionary work among us. It presents vast opportunities. It promises most fruitful results, and many who can not get out to engage in personal work, in the quietude of their own homes, could undertake such labor.

5. Selling periodicals and small books. An excellent field is presented for this work in nearly every neighborhood, particularly at some seasons of the year. While the efforts of our regular agents are confined for the most part to our large books, there is a line of smaller books of which many of our people could distribute thousands. This work would afford an excellent beginning and a rich experience for more extensive labor.

6. Cottage meetings. In this is afforded also an excellent opportunity of coming in touch with those around us. We do not need to start on a large scale; we can invite one or more of our neighbors to join us in a prayer circle, and as the interest deepens, let the circle widen. There is no reason, even if we may differ from those around us in doctrine, why we should not unite with them in prayer, and seek to come close to them in their Christian experience. This touch of soul with soul, and heart with heart, may be the means of drawing them nearer to God, and revealing to them a light which they do not now possess.

7. Presenting the truth in the columns of magazines and papers. All, of course, can not undertake this work, but there are those in every conference, and in nearly every church, who could do very acceptable service in this way. Of course, great care should be used in the preparation of these articles, so that they shall rightly represent the noble cause in which we are engaged.

If one has a real desire to work for God, the Spirit itself will suggest ways and means to meet all conditions and circumstances. No soul can start out of a morning with a purpose to be a blessing in the world, but that Providence will open before him more opportunities than he can possibly fill. There must be first a willing mind, willing feet, willing hands, and a consecrated heart. God can take these members devoted to his service, and use them with mighty power for the accomplishment of his work in the world. Shall we not all take hold anew in service for God? Let every soul inquire: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” and then as the Spirit leads, follow in the path open before him. The joy of Christian living is the joy of loving service for the one who has done so much for us. Into the joy of this service we may enter here, and the glorious fruitage of it we may see in the kingdom of God. F. M. W.

The Business of the Church

By C. M. S.

THE church is a part of God’s plan. It has a purpose in the earth, a well-defined one, and God is the author of that purpose. But that purpose has been and is to-day sadly misunderstood.

Writers and speakers on the “social problem” are demanding of the church that she take a position in the social world, and direct her energies in the line of bettering social conditions, forgetting or overlooking the fact that to the true Christian the social problem presents no insurmountable difficulties.

The true Christian sees, as the social philosopher sees, that the condition of this world is deplorable; but God in his wisdom has given to the Christian—to the church as a company of Christians—the true and the only solution of the problem. That solution is the salvation of souls through the atonement of Christ. If the world were not lost in sin, there would be no social problem; but it is, and to be seeking for any solution of that problem which does not recognize the true cause of the condition and the only remedy provided—to be seeking a solution which leaves salvation out of the question—is to turn completely away from the plan and purpose of God. It is like bringing to the man, sinking in the quicksands, a basket of delicacies, while forgetting that his greatest need is a rope and strong arms to pull him out of the clutch of the grave. To make men happy and contented with their lot while still unsaved and in constant danger of their soul’s eternal loss, is not the business of the church nor of any in the church. Their work is to make men dissatisfied with sin; to bring to them God’s message for their time; to rescue perishing souls. This done, the “social problem” dissolves like burned limestone at the touch of water, and thus dissolved, enters at once into the building of God.

The members of Christ’s body on earth will go about doing good as he set them the example to do, uniting his teachings with works of charity and mercy; but as he refused to be turned from his work by sophistry, flattery, or misapplied scripture, so will they. Christ came into the world to save it and its inhabitants; but there was only one way to accomplish it. Satan offered the world to Christ for a simple act of worship. Satan would have been well pleased had he been permitted to map out a plan of his own for Christ to use in inaugurating his work in the earth; and he is well pleased when he can induce Christians to accept other plans of work than those which Christ established. Christ spurned the suggestion, and they who are his will do likewise. Had Christ attempted to do his work along Satan’s lines of suggestion, he would have been lost with the

angels that are doomed. Neither can his church carry on its work on plans contrary to his instruction.

One prominent educator declares: “If we feel a need which a church supplies, we use the church to supply that want, just as we would use a museum, or a bank, or a hotel. We need worship. Since men were born, we have never succeeded in getting along without it.” Therefore the business of the church is presumed to be to satisfy a desire which men feel for something to worship. Men are to join the church to satisfy that craving. Thus the church becomes simply a means of gratification to its members, instead of a strong, positive force in the earth, carrying forward God’s message of salvation, and preparing the bride of Christ for her heavenly Spouse. Christians will worship God—they can not do otherwise and be Christians; but if Satan can induce the church to believe that its chief or only mission in the earth is to satisfy men’s craving for something to worship, he has succeeded in turning her from the work that was given her to do.

The tendency of much of the teaching of the present time is in the way of influencing men to look to the church itself for that which can come to men only by personal, living connection with God. It belittles the work of the gospel, and tends toward shallowness in Christian experience. It makes of the church a means of gratification to its members, instead of an aggressive instrument in the work of saving souls. The reality of God and his work is lost sight of in the haze of generalities accompanying such teachings.

The “social problem” will not be solved by the church setting itself at work to solve that problem and forgetting her mission in the earth. It will not be solved by her taking up any line of work which God has not commissioned her to do. But for every individual won to Christ, that much of the “social problem” is already solved in his conversion.

In this time when God is closing up his work of soul saving, it is the plan of the adversary of souls to blind the eyes of men so that they can not see what is coming upon the earth, or what God demands of men right now. If he can blind the church to her mission in the world, or throw her forces off on a tangent away from the true path of her duty, he is doubly successful. Such teachings as those above referred to are his instruments in accomplishing that work. There was never a greater need for a living, working church; there was never a time of greater danger from the soothing teachings of the world. A church that has lost its message, that is turning from the salvation of souls to the solving of social and “civic” problems, and is appealing to the state for the power to enforce her wishes upon the people, is not causing the kingdom of darkness any concern, or advancing the cause of the Master. That which will count in this last conflict with sin is a church which counts dearer than life the purpose of her Master, and higher than any earthly assignment the commission which he gave to his followers.

C. M. S.

Not of Force, but of Love

By F. M. W.

THERE is a compelling power in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, but it is a power with love as the impelling motive, rather than force or fear. God has made man a free moral agent. He has bestowed upon him the right of choice. Man may freely of his own accord choose the path of life or the path of death. God will not force his will, or compel him to a course of action contrary to his desires. To do this would be to make of man a mere machine, and of God an arbitrary dictator.

But while God does not force the will, he uses every means that love suggests to persuade the will. The language of the gospel is not of command or demand. The apostle Paul voices its spirit when he says: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

The apostle in his own experience had felt but one power moving him in Christian service. He says, “For the love of Christ constraineth us.” That love had been revealed to the apostle when he himself was upon a mission of persecution. The glory of God shone around about him, and he heard a voice from heaven saying unto him: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” To his inquiry, “Who art thou, Lord?” the answer was returned: “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

What a response to the efforts of the apostle! How much of love and pathos and appeal was in the question which Heaven propounded to this persecuting zealot! It did not answer like with like. Heaven’s love broke the apostle’s heart, and trembling and astonished, he inquired, “Lord, what wilt thou have in me to do?”

This same revelation of divine love is the one power which will break the hearts of men to-day. This is the power which should clothe the professed church of Christ; then will she have no need of legal enactments, or force of arms, or rack, or fagot, or inquisition; but clothed in the panoply of heaven, she will go forth conquering and to conquer, a terror to unrighteousness, a strength and refuge for the sin-sick and sorrowing.

F. M. W.

Sowing and Reaping

“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

Statement to March 1, 1910

By W. T. Knox

The $300,000 Fund

ACCORDING to a statement in an earlier number of the REVIEW, we shall report each month the progress made in raising moneys for the $300,000 Fund. We regret that this month's report does not show a greater progress, as there is only a difference of about eight hundred dollars between this and our previous statement. This does not discourage us, as we are receiving most glowing reports from different conferences of the manner in which the constituencies in the various fields are receiving the appeal that is being made for this fund. Our General Conference brethren also, on returning from the union conferences that they have been attending, report that the proposal meets with most hearty approval and enthusiasm wherever it has been presented.

We look with confidence for an active campaign to be immediately inaugurated to raise the 1910 portion. We are in great need of the funds, that the work to which they have been devoted may be begun.

Statement to March 1, 1910

Atlantic Union Conference

Central New England .....$ 45.50 Greater New York ....... 223.19 Western New York ........ 10.00 Northern New England ..... 74.69 Southern New England ..... 5.00 Total .................... 358.28

Central Union Conference

West Colorado ............ 1.00 North Missouri ........... 311.82 Wyoming .................. 304.15 Total .................... 616.97

Lake Union Conference

Indiana .................. 262.48 East Michigan ............ 35.00 Total .................... 297.48

Northern Union Conference

Minnesota ................ 2,660.10 Iowa ..................... 100.00 Total .................... 2,760.10

North Pacific Union Conference

Western Oregon ........... 10.00 West Washington .......... .81 Total .................... 10.81

Southern Union Conference

Florida .................. 94.50 North Carolina ........... 6.00 Total .................... 100.50

Miscellaneous

New Zealand .............. 102.27 England .................. 490.00 India .................... 15.00 Total .................... 607.27

Grand total .............. $4,751.41

W. T. KNOX, Treasurer.

Dead in Sin

By Delwin Rees Buckner

DELWIN REES BUCKNER

My violin fell heavily at my feet, The intoxicating strains of music ceased; Bound for the graveyard, to the city’s east, A freighted hearse moved slowly down the street, Its plumes, its crape, death-colored, everywhere, And while the horses stepped with measured pace, Magnolias, paler than the waxen face, A sickening perfume scattered through the air.

Too careless had my thoughts and actions been; I knelt and prayed, the first real prayer in years— Not for the one whose life account was in God’s hands, whose ears were deafened to the din Of life, but for myself I plead with tears— Myself, alive, but, O, so dead in sin!

Ambato, Ecuador.

The Need of Living Faith

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE

It is one thing to read and teach the Bible, and another thing to have, by practise, its life-giving, sanctifying principles engrafted on the soul. God is in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. If those who claim to be his followers draw apart, showing no affectionate or compassionate interest in one another, they are not sanctified to God. They have not his love in their hearts.

Christ has shown his great love for us by giving his life that we should not perish in our sins, that he might clothe us with his salvation. If this divine love is cherished in our hearts, it cements and strengthens our union with those of like faith. “He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” The strengthening of our love for our brethren and sisters strengthens our love for Christ. This principle of love for God and for those for whom Christ died, needs to be quickened by the Holy Spirit, and cemented with brotherly kindness, tenderness; it needs to be strengthened by acts which testify that God is love. This union, which joins heart with heart, is not the result of sentimentalism, but the working of a healthful principle.

Faith works by love, and purifies the soul from all selfishness. Thus the soul is perfected in love. And having found grace and mercy through Christ’s precious blood, how can we fail to be tender and merciful? “By grace are ye saved through faith.” The mind should be educated to exercise faith rather than to cherish doubt, suspicion, and jealousy. We are too prone to regard obstacles as impossibilities. To have faith in the promises of God, to go forward by faith, pressing on without being governed by circumstances, is a lesson hard to learn. Yet it is a positive necessity that every child of God should learn this lesson. The grace of God through Christ is ever to be cherished, for it is given us as the only way of approaching God.

Faith in the words of God spoken by Christ enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, would have enabled the children of Israel to make a record wholly different from that which they did make. Their lack of faith in God gave them a very checkered history.

The faith mentioned in God’s Word calls for a life in which faith in Christ is an active, living principle. It is God’s will that faith in Christ shall be made perfect by works; he connects the salvation and eternal life of those who believe, with these works, and through them provides for the light of truth to go to all countries and peoples. This is the fruit of the workings of God’s Spirit.

We show our faith in God by obeying his commands. Faith is always expressed in words and actions. It produces practical results; for it is a vital element in the life. The life that is molded by faith develops a determination to advance, to go forward, following in the footsteps of Christ.

Faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, the One who pardons our sins and transgressions, the One who is able to keep us from sin and lead us in his footsteps, is set forth in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Here are presented the fruits of a faith that works by love and purifies the soul from selfishness. Faith and works are here combined.

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. . . . And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”

“Thy righteousness shall go before thee.” What does this mean? Christ is our righteousness. He goes before us, and we follow him, working in love and compassion for the needy and destitute, bringing into the light of present truth many who are now in the darkness of error.

J. O. CORLISS

By J. O. Corliss

The History of the Hebrew Sanctuary — No. 8

J. O. CORLISS

Dedication of the Temple

The first important work of Solomon after ascending the throne was to begin building the temple according to the minute details recited to him by David his father. 1 Chron. 28:11, 12. But David took no credit for the origin of the plan; for he said that the Lord had revealed the entire plan to him. Verse 19. In addition to all previous preparations, Solomon levied thirty thousand men from his own nation, who were assisted by recruits from the kingdom of Tyre (1 Kings 5:1, 13), to quarry and hew great stones for the foundation of the house. Verses 17, 18.

But in order to keep within the letter of the law forbidding the use of iron tools upon an altar built for the Lord (Deut. 27:5, 6), the stones were all made hewn to dimensions in the quarry, so that in the actual piling of the stones in their places, the work might be done in reverent silence. 1 Kings 6:7. To some it may seem rather singular that the great architect of the temple, Hiram, was a half foreigner (1 Kings 7:14); but this only reveals that, as now, God never has been a “respecter of persons,” in the upbuilding of his work in the earth; but “in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Acts 10:35.

The general shapes of the apartments in the temple were like those of the wilderness tabernacle. Their dimensions and divisions were also in the same proportion (Dictionary of the Bible, art. “Temple”), showing that God’s original plan for the sanctuary still regulated their provision for his worship. On the eastern side of the temple, however, was a colonnade, which later was continued around the building. But the original porch bore Solomon’s name at the time of our Saviour’s earthly sojourn in the flesh. John 10:23; Acts 3:11.

Although the two apartments of the temple are said to have been twice as large as those of the tented sanctuary, the altar of burnt-offerings for the temple was four times as long and broad as the same altar in the tabernacle. Compare 2 Chron. 4:1 with Ex. 27:1. The disproportionate size of the temple altar is accounted for by some, on the supposition that it was the undisturbed altar built by David on the spot, when he bought the hill from Ornan the Jebusite.

In upper stories of the temple, which were entered from without, were rooms for those priests who had charge of certain parts of the Lord’s work. 2 Chron. 31:11; Jer. 36:10; Eze. 40:45. A door at the right-hand corner of the building opened upon a winding staircase, which led to these rooms, in both the second

and third stories. 1 Kings 6:8. In the first apartment of the sanctuary, instead of a single seven-branched candlestick standing by the eastern aperture, as in the wilderness tent, ten candlesticks were placed on ten separate tables, five on each side of the room. 2 Chron. 4:7, 8, 20. These were to light up the interior, which otherwise would have been dark, since only small loopholes were placed in the walls. 1 Kings 6:4. Some have supposed that each of these ten candlesticks bore its seven branches, as did the one candlestick in the old arrangement. If this is true, we may see their significance in the seventy elders of the congregation.

A thin “wall of partition” separated between the outer and inner apartments. Folding doors, covered by richly embroidered curtains, were the means of entrance to, and departure from, the “most holy place.” It was absolutely dark, except for the light filtered through from the outer room. Amid this mysterious darkness stood two huge cherubim, one on the north, and one on the south side, their wings distended to meet in a graceful arch over the center of the room. Under this arch, and “between the cherubim,” was to be placed the ark of God (1 Chron. 28:18), so that it might once more be said that God not only “sitteth between the cherubim” (Ps. 99:1), but that “he made darkness his secret place.” Ps. 18:11.

More than seven years were consumed in building the temple. It was begun in the month Zif (“blossom or flower month,” corresponding to our May) of the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, and was completed in the eleventh year of his reign, in the month Bul (“rain-god”), which is the same as our November. 1 Kings 6:1, 37, 38. Nearly a year was then permitted to elapse before its dedication. This took place in the seventh month, Ethanim (“the perennial”), corresponding to our October. 1 Kings 8:2. This interval doubtless was permitted in order that the dedicatory services might occur during the great national “feast of tabernacles.” As was to be expected, all Israel was then present and participated in the exercises. 1 Kings 8:65.

On the fourteenth day of the month the festival opened. Two companies advanced toward the sacred spot from different directions. One of the processions bore the ark from its temporary quarters toward its permanent resting-place, while the other train came from Gibeon bearing the time-worn tabernacle with its sacred vessels. 1 Kings 8:4-6. At last, the ark and tabernacle, so long separated, were united in a new and more permanent way. The ark, mounted with its two small winged figures, was placed between the two cherubim in the most holy place amid the rejoicing of all Israel.

As a sign that the ark was now in “the place of its rest” (Ps. 132:8, 14), no more to be carried about here and there, the staves by which it had been carried were pushed back so that one end of each was seen in the first apartment, and there left. 1 Kings 8:8. By some means the ark itself was investigated, when it was discovered that the pot of manna, the censer, and Aaron’s budded rod were missing. “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb.” Verse 9. We are not informed when nor where these vessels were taken, but we may infer that they were removed while the ark was captive among the Philistines. Be that as it may, the most precious thing, the law of Jehovah, remained, and this was everything to the Israelites so long as they knew that God had “given rest unto his people,” and that they might “dwell in Jerusalem.” 1 Chron. 23:25.

For the dedication service a large brazen scaffold was erected in the middle of the temple court. 2 Chron. 6:13. On this Solomon took his station, and as the priests came out from placing the ark in position, the whole temple was filled with a cloud; “for the glory of the Lord had filled the house.” 1 Kings 8:10, 11. At this juncture Solomon spoke from his place: “The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.” Then turning his face to the standing congregation, he blessed them, after which that memorable dedicatory prayer (2 Chronicles 6), in which the king not only asked that Hebrews might in the temple meet their Lord, but that Gentiles from the uttermost parts of the earth might also find consolation within its precincts. Verses 32, 33. Thus the provisions of the temple gave equal privileges to all nations, proving that in all ages “the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” Rom. 10:12.

Mountain View, Cal.

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