Connecticut western news., 1885-06-17
FOR SUNDAY READING.
THE NEW sUNDAY-sCHOOL LESSON. ''Irhe Priesthood of Christ .''-hebrews Tx.
 1-12.

s.rhe Priesthood of ChrIst.''-nebrews Tx.
 I-12.
 The aim of the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews is to show that the king dom of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ, is not an opposition to the doctrine and ritual Of the Old Testament, but carry ing out of that ancient revelation. It is an argument for the new dispensation based upon the teachings of the old. It is an argument to show the conservative Jew that, if he will be a consistent ad- herent of the law of Moses, he must be- come @ follower of the new prophet, Jesus of Nazareth. The writers argue that Jesus is an advance on Moses. To understand the drift of thought, tn class must glance over the whole line of argument in the Epistle. The teacher may prohtably spend considerable time in this general review. In the first and second chapters it is argued that Christ, as a revealer of Gods will, is superior to angels, through whose ministry the law of Sinai was delivered. In the third chapter is shown His superiority to Moses, the mediator of the old covenant In the fourth chapter is set forth His superior ity,to Joshua, as one giving Crest" to the people of God. Then in the fifth and following chapters is presented an argu- ment for the superiority of the priest hood of Jesus over the Aaronic priest hood. In all this we have strong plea for the Gospel. To convince men, we must look, at things from their stand point, and show them that in order to attain the ends for which they are striving, they must follow Christ. All that is really to be desired in the world maybe found through faith in Christ. Is physical beauty and excellence desira- ble thing Christianity says our bodies are the temples of Gods spirit, and as such they should be guarded. Is it good thing to have friends Christian ity teaches us the spirit of love and friendship. Is pleasure to be sought? The ways of Christian wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and her paths are paths of peace. All that is good and bright and beautiful and lovely is found in Christ, and so the writer of the Epistle is assuring the Jew that all there Is in his national history or ritual which is to be cherished will be found in Christ in still higher degree than in the origi- ginal revelation.
 In the lesson before us the writer shows that Christ's offering of himself is superior to and better than the sacri- fees in the ancient tabernacle. In the first ten verses, the old tabernacle Is de- scribed; the ''But" which opens the eleventh verse presents the better tab ernacle and offering in the Christian dispensation.
 It is admitted that the services of the first tabernacle were divinely appointed. And the lessons set forth in the old ritual were important lessons. But they were merely object lessons and parables to present truths which have their full embodiment in Christ. And the old sanctuary was worldly sanctaury made of perishing materials; but Christ is in the heavens, the eternal dwelling place. In the outer taberna- cle were daily services, and in the most holy place the service was repeated each year; but in the sacrifice of Christ was an offering made once for all, a complete fulfllment of the prophecies contained in the Mosaic ritual. As the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle was superior to the outward, so the holy place into which the ascended Christ has entered is the center of divine ser- vice.
 And through faith in Christ's sacrifice, all men may come into the sanctuary. The old tabernacle was in 8 particular spot; and only those who dwelt near it, or could go to it, could join in the worship it provided. But the sacrifice in Christ is proclaimed throughout the whole world, and whenever the worshiping soul looks up to God, there is the glory of God revealed in acceptance of that worship.
 The priesthood of Christ was pointed out in the old testament law of sacrifice. The offering of lambs and goats was a pre6guring of the death of Christ. A moments thought would convince a man that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin. The offering
 
 of animals could be nothing but pic torial exhibition of hidden truth.
 And Christ's offering is ''once for all. " In the ancient tabernacle there were offerings only at given times. But the sacrifice of Christ is one which is always before us, and in worshiping him we may dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
 What is true of each of the books oi the Bible is especially true to the Epis. tie to the Hebrews; it should be studied as whole. It is not sufficient to take up separate verses, or clauses, and dwell upon them; the whole book should bt read at one sitting, using some edition in which the Epistle is printed, not il chapters or verses, but in paragraph form, as in the Revised Version. It t only in such reading that one can gel a clear idea of the writer's line of argu |: ment. But when read once or twice fl this manner, the book comes before thu mind with a new power.