Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-09-29
Lesson 1.-Free Giving.

GoLnES TExr.-"God loyeth a cheerful given
ii. Ger. 9:7.
Central T;1lh The secret of abound.
ing gifts and work for God is a willing
heart.
The dealings of God with his people
on account of their idolatry were very
stern, since only thus could they be
brought TO repentance. But the divine
favor has been restored, and Moses is
now again summoned into the Mount.
Meanwhile, however, a glorious vision
has been granted TO him. Hidden in a
cleft Of the rock, all the divine goodness
is made to pass before him. and he is
cheered by the pledge that God is still
a God of unspeakable love. As before,
his stay in the Mount is for forty days
and forty nights. Here God proclaims
his long. suffering and mercy and readi.
ness TO forgive, enters again into cove.
nant with his people, adds fresh pre-
cepts and admonitions, and renews the
tables of the law. As Moses descends
he hears still another confirmation of
the divine favor. His face is radiant
with the divine glory reflected from it,
a brightness so dazzling that, save it
is covered with a veil, the people are
''afraid to come nigh him."
The way is now prepared for the
building of the Tabernacle, concerning
which instructions have before been
given. The people are accordingly
called together, told what the message
of the Lord is, and invited TO prepare
their offerings, A part of this chapter
is an account of their response. Verse
twenty-second gives a general account
of the offerings Of all classes, and the
next two of those OF the men. Our
lesson describes those of the women
and the rulers, and says something OF
the chief workmen, to whom the over.
sight of the undertaking was commit
ted.
1t will be noticed that all gave some.
thing. First of all, as we learn from a
preceding chapter 80: li-l6), each one,
rich and poor alike, was required to
give a small definite sum. This was to
be q memorial of past mercy, and
would also remind them of their equal
obligation to God. Beyond this the
gifts were voluntary. Every one whose
heart stirred him up" was to give as he
was ulONCu. nus fIOu WOulh AtAGu IlN
people to give. IL is not that he needs
our gifts, for he does not. But we naed
10 make them. A sanctuary that costs
nothing is commonly worth little. Then
there is the moral discipline of giving,
the help it is to us in casting out self
and bringing in Christ. So God opens
many doors for our gifts, and permits
cries to reach our ears.
We cannot help noticing the part
women took in these offerings. They
did spin with their hands and did bring
what they had spun" In verse twenty.
two it is said they drought bracelets
and earrings aud rings and tablets"
the spoil no doubt OF the Egyptians.
Bible religion has always been woman's
friend. She owes to 1t more than to
all other influences put together. In.
she feels this. and so has
always done her full share in the sup.
port OF religion. Those who most lov.
ingly ministered to the Saviour were
women. The Apostle names many who
wrought in the gospel and succored the
saints. But for the gifts and laboTs
and prayers of women many a Sunday
school and church would have no ex.
istence.
The willingness of the givers is per.
haps the most striking thing in the mar.
rative. The sum required from each
was small, about thirty cents Of our
money. But the aggregate of volunta
ry gifts was very great. More than a
million dollars of our money was used
and tbis was not all that was offered,
for, as the next chapter tells us, the
liberality OF the people exceeded the
need, and had 10 be restrained. II is
this willing mind which makes any Civ.
ing real and acceptable to God, and the
widows mite as precious to him as the
rich mans million. eff there be first
a willing mind it is accepted according
to that q man hath" for this will not
fail to insure gifts according to means.
We are not told the cause of all this
remarkable libeTality. We may sup.
pose the impulse was kindled by graft.
tude: for the grace Of God, which had
so recently forgiven their great sin and
renewed great promises. could not have
passed out Of mind. Then, no doubt.
the impulse was greatly quick ened by
interest in the object. Israel was glad
of Tabernacle, q visible sign OF Gods
presence with them. And being inter.
ested they could not help giving and
working. What 9 hint this il of the
way to make giving more easy and
abundant! Begin with the mind and
heart. More love to Christ and more
thought about the kingdom he has set
us TO build up, more study Of the worlds
needs, would greatly swell the gifts
which pour into the Lords treasury.
The last verses of the lesson are by no
means the least instructive. II is note.
worthy that good men, those best suited
TO the work, were chosen TO oversee it,
and TO make sure that the money and
labors of the people were not squander.
ed. II Is also noteworthy that the wis.
dom and skill of these men are ascribed
to God. IL was he who filed them with
understanding and knowledge In all
manner OF workmanship. And 80 we
are reminded that the wisdom Of heart
10 work all manner Of work, of the en-.
graver, and of the embroiderer, even Of
All - H = = r.