LESSON IV. TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD. 2 And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits. 3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof, before the house. 4 And for the house he made windows of narrow lights. 5 And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about: 6 The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house. Oct. 26, 1884) 7 And the house when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither; so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building. 8 The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third; 9 So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar. 10 And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high; and the rested on the house with timber of cedar. 11 ¶ And the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying, 12 Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: 13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel. 14 So Solomon built the house and finished it. GOLDEN TEXT. Mine house shall be called a house of prayer. Isaiah, 56: 7. CENTRAL TRUTH: All should aid in building up the Church. NOTES. The temple was begun May, 1012, B. C., and finished November, 1005. It stood on Mount Moriah, the easterly hill of Jerusalem. It is supposed that the most holy place was over Araunah's threshing floor. part of the building. 5. Chambers-these were built on the outside, against three sides of the Temple. They were three stories high, and furnished an abode for the priests. 6. As the wall became thinner the rooms beVerse 1. 480th year; by this we learn that came wider. The upper story was widest of the exodus from Egypt took place 1491 B. C. all. 7. The building went up noiselessly. Zif-our May. 2. A cubit is about 18 8. The door was in the south side; this led inches. The house-the main structure, the to the chambers, not to the Temple proper. temple proper. 3. The porch was on the 9. The roof was made of cedar planks. 11. east side, and was 180 feet high. (2 Chron.3:4). The word came-probably by Nathan. 12. 4. Narrow lights-small windows in the upper Unto David; (see 2 Sam. 7: 12). QUESTIONS. 20: 25). Verse 1. In what year did Solomon begin (gether? Why was it done in this way? (Ex to reign? How long afterwards did he begin to built the Temple? In what year? In what month? How long was it in process of building? On what place was it built? What two events had here taken place? (See Gen. 22: 2, and 2 Sam. 24: 18-25). 2. How long is a cubit? How long, in feet, was the house? How wide and high? 3. On what side was the porch? Give its size. 4. How were the windows shaped? Where were they? 5-6. What else was built? Where? On how many sides? Were there any buildings in front of the Porch? For what were these chambers used? Which were largest? Why were the beams "not fastened in the walls"? (To prevent the weakening of the walls.) 8. With what buildings was the temple surrounded? On what side was the door to these chambers? How were the upper stories reached? 9. Of what was the roof made? 10. Is this verse a repetition? How high was each story? How were these chambers joined to the Temple proper? 11-13. From whom did Solomon receive a message at this point? Through whom, probably? What word spoken to David is now referred to? What additional promise is given in v. 13? What must he do to receive the blessing? What is "the Temple of the Holy Ghost"? (1 Cor. 3: 16-17, and 6: 19). What has taken the place of the old Temple? Who is its Foundation? (1 Cor. 3: 11). REVIEW QUESTIONS. (School in concert). 7. Where were the materials made ready? (1 Kings 5: 8-9). How were they put to What was one of the first acts of Solomon's reign? When was it begun? How long was it in building? Into what parts was it Quest. Is not God also merciful? divided? (1 The Porch; 2 The Holy Place; 3 The Holy of Holies). Who are now the Temple of God? CATECHISM. Ans. God is indeed merciful, but also just; therefore his justice requires that sin, which is committed against the most high majesty of God, be also punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment, both of body and soul." 7 Twentieth Sunday after Trinity. The erection of the Temple was the greatest event, both in Jewish and Gentile eyes, in the history of the Holy City. It made Jerusalem the religious capital of the nation. It had great influence upon all the people. "It (1) strengthened the worship of God. (2) It encouraged faith in the reality of one great infinite God. (3) Its services gave an example of worship for the whole nation. (4) It drew the people to the three great annual religious festivals, and thus (5) it was a bond of unity to the nation." DIVISIONS OF THE TEMPLE. It was divided into three parts. In front towered the Porch, in height 180 feet or more. Behind it was a lower edifice, not so high. This was divided into two parts: The Holy Place, and Holy of holies. In the holy place stood the golden candle-stick, the altar of incense, and the table of shew bread. The most holy place was a small square chamber, entirely dark. Here was the Ark, covered with gold, on which stood the Cherubim. V. 1. In the 480th year. After the Exodus. Thus the date of the building of the temple is fixed. "It is upon this statement that all the earlier portion of what is called the received chronology' depends." The temple was begun B. C. 1012, and hence the Exodus took place 1491, B. C. The Temple was purely Jewish, and was not copied after the architecture of other nations. "Alone and isolated in its grandeur it stood on the Mount. Terrace upon terrace its courts arose, till high above the city, within the In the fourth year of Solomon's reign enclosure of marble cloisters, the Tem--in a time of profound peace, unexple itself stood out a mass of snowy ampled wealth, and after many years of marble and of gold, glittering in the preparation. sunlight. There has never been a sacred building equal to it, either for situation or magnificence." * * It was in fact, the first period in the history of the Jewish people which was suited to so great an undertaking. The people being now permanently established in Canaan, it was time that a permanent place of worship should be erected. In the month Zif,-latter part of April and the beginning of May. Zif means brightness, splendor; then blossom-the month of flowers. priests. These were on three sides, and V. 12. Concerning this house. That were three stories high. They were is. so far as this house goes, thou art entered from the outside by a door; and obedient; if thou wilt be obedient in winding staircases led to the second other things also, then will I perform and third stories. They were also My word.' God's promises are all used as store-rooms, in which were de- conditional. posited the sacred treasure, provisions, and garments. The temple here means the holy place; and the oracle, the most holy place. Its Hebrew name was Debir, to speak-the speaking place, where Jehovah spake to His people. V. 6. The chambers. The outside of the temple was very wide below; then there was an offset; on this rested the floor of the second chamber; then an other offset, on which rested the floor of the third story. Thus the beams rested on the walls, but did not pierce them, so as to weaken them. Besides the secular buildings were thus entirely separated from the religious struct ure. V. 7. The house was built of stone, The materials were prepared in the forest and at the stone quarries, then transported and put in their places. Thus the building went up noiselessly, without sound of hammer or ax. V. 8. The door-This has already been explained It led to the chambers, not to the Temple. V. 9. He covered the house with beams and boards of cedar, i. e., made a roof. Some think it was flat, but it was most probably, steep, tent-like, as was the Tabernacle, or sacred Tent, after which the Temple was modelled. 6. V. 10 is a repetition of vs. 5 and My word which I spake unto David. The promises to David were-(1) that one of his sons should succeed him on the throne; (2) that the kingdom should be established in the line of his descendants forever, if they were faithful; and (3) that the Israelites should be no more afflicted as beforetime (2 Sam. 7: 10). These promises are now confirmed to Solomon, but on the express condition of obedience. V. 13. I will dwell among, and will not forsake My people. Two promises are thus added. (1) As He manifested His Presence among them in the old Tabernacle, so He would now in the Temple; and there He would make known His will in every time of need. (2). Will not forsake-not at any time or under any circumstances. Even to this day God preserves the Jews as a separate and distinct people. THE TEMPLE, A TYPE OF THE CHURCH. (1) A place of sacrifice. (2) A place of prayer and praise. (3) A place of consecration of our persons, services, and means. (4) A place for studying God's law, and learning the promises. (5) A place to fit us for the worship of the heavenly Temple. A LESSON IN PATIENCE. "Mother," said Mary, "I can't V. 11 The word of the Lord came to make Henry put his figures as I tell Solomon-about the time the temple him." was nearing its completion. Nathan "Be patient, my dear, and do not was, doubtless, the medium through speak so sharply." whom the Lord spake. God responded "But he won't let me tell him how to the work of His servant, showing to put the figures; and he does not that He accepted his labors and gifts. know how to do it himself," said Mary, The Lord's message was "6 very season- pettishly. able, being designed first to encourage "Well, my dear, if Henry won't him to go on with the building by con- learn a lesson in figures, suppose you firming anew the promise made to his try to teach him one in patience. father David (2 Sam. 7); and, secondly to warn him against the pride and presumption of supposing that, after the erection of so magnificent a temple, he and his people would always be sure of the presence and favor of God." This is harder to teach and harder to learn than any lesson in figures, and perhaps when you have learned this, the other will be easier to both of you. Will you learn a lesson in patience?" -Selected. The Guardian. VOL. XXXV. HORE GERMANIÆ. NOVEMBER, 1884. BY REV. C. Z. WEISER, D.D. The Church of Germany rejoices in the multitude of her hymns. They are like beautiful flowers whose every petal possesses peculiar beauties. Many of our readers are familiar with them in their original form, but there are others who do not enjoy this privilege, and who will be glad to become acquainted through a metrical translation, with the hymns which their fathers loved so well. Dr. Weiser has translated a series of those which are most frequently employed in worship, and are for that. reason regarded as most precious. He has closely adhered to the form of the German originals, and yet has succeeded in retaining a good measure of their devout poetic spirit. We owe thanks to the translator for spreading for us this excellent banquet. EDITOR OF THE GUARDIAN. HERR JESU CHRIST, DICH ZU UNS WEND. Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Blessing lend Unseal our lips, Thy praise to speak; Our hearts fit for devotion meet Increase our faith; our minds prepare, That we Thy Name may loud declare. Till we with Heavenly Hosts accord: "Holy Holy! Is God the Lord!" And in Thy presence there delight, In everlasting, blissful light. We'll praise The Father, and The Son, LIEBSTER JESU, WIR SIND HIER. Dearest Saviour, we have come, NO. 11. Lest they from Thy Gospel wander. All that our poor sense discerns, All must flow from Thine own motion. O, Thou ever glorious Sun, "THUT MIR AUF DIE SCHOENE PFORTE." Open wide the Golden Portals! Lord! I venture humbly nigh Thee: As Thy dwelling-place and home. Guide Thou all my adoration, Let my soul be cultivated, Strengthen my weak faith forever; Speak Thou Lord! I'll heed Thy saying, Naught shall lead my thoughts astraying, = Living pastures lay me open, This favor Thou dost ask of me, "My son! Give Me thy heart" I read; O, then, My Father! make it Thine; I bring it as the best of mine; Grant, Jesus, of Thy treasury, O, Holy Ghost! make it Thy home; O, Triune God! Thine may it be! I Know that Thou hast purchased me: Then let it be Thy temple bright: "6 WACHET AUF!" RUFT UNS DIE STIMME. "Waken all!" The voic is crying, "All hail! Your lamps bring near. Hallelujah! To welcome. Lo! the hour's at hand. Zion hears the watchmen's greeting, Her friend descends from Heav'n divinely; Hosanna! We heed Thy call; And follow all, In Glory let Thy Name be lauded; "MIR NACH!" SPRICHT CHRISTUS UNSER "All Hail!" Cries Jesus our great Chief; "I am the Light that shows the way Who comes to Me, and would obey, "Humility's my soul's delight; My Will and Spirit, Strength and Mind, "Whate'er is wrong, I indicate, "Should ye grow faint, I'll lead the way, I strive in battle, prove your stay, A hireling alone would see His Chief contending, and not he! "Whoe'er his life would seek to find "Then let us, for a Chief so kind, Who will not strive, will not be crowned, WER WEISS WIE NAHE MIR MEIN ENDE! Who knows how near the brink I'm standing? How different oft, the Vesper's telling, Ne'er ear heard such delight: Salvation's height! Lord! I would e'er my end remember, I may my soul to Christ surrender, My God! Through Jesus' blood, I pray, Help me my house to be preparing, |