Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-20

In - ~
20. And all the congregation OF the chill
dren of Israel departed from the presence of
Moses. -. And they came, every one whose
heart stirred him up, and every one whom
his spirit made willing, and they brought
the Lords Offering 70 the work Of the taber-
nacle Of the congregation, and for all his
service and for the holy garments. -. And
they came, both men and women, as many
as were willing hearted, and brought brace
lots, and earrings, and rings, and tablets,
al jewels Of gold: and every man that
offered offered an offering of gold unto the
Lord. % And every man with whom was
found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine
linen, and goats hair, and red skins OF
rams, and badgers skins brought them.
a. Every one that did offer an Offering of
silver and brass brought the Lords offer
ing: and every man with whom was found
shittim wood for any work Of the service,
brought IL. -. And all tho women that
were wise hearted did spin with their hands,
and brought that which they had spun,
both OF blue, and OF purple, and OF scarlet,
and of fine linen. 26. And all the women
whose heart stirred them up in wisdom
spun goats hair. ~. And the rulers brought
onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the
ephod, and for the breastplate; 2s. And
spice and oil for the light, and for the an
Mounting oil. and for sweet incense 20 The
children Of Israel brought a willing Offering
whose heart made them willing 10 bring for
all manner Of work, which the Lord had
commanded 10 be made by the hand Of
Moses.
GOLDEN THxr.-God loveth cheerful
giver.
The time Of the lesson is in the autumn
following Israels departure from Egypt
The law was promulgated from Sinai %
days after the first passover; Moses was
in the mount 40 days and returning found
the people in idolatry. Again he assembled
Sinai and was gone another forty days and
when he returned his face shone with the
glory in which he had participated. With
his heart on fire with zeal and his lips in
spred 10 speak, he called the vast assembly
together and impressed upon them obsery-
ance of "a Sabbath OF rest and worship and
the importance of a sanctuary; the service
which he demanded being voluntary.
LESSON NOTES.
V. 90. And the children of Israel depart
ed from Moses at the close OF the great
mass meeting 10 consider his words and
mediate upon their obligations, in view of
what they had heard. a small tax had
been levied upon each man, according 10
the divine direction for the general support
OF worship Elk 20: II 49,; an equal tax,
the rich not 10 give more or the poor less,
10 emphasize the idea of equal obligation Of
all 10 God Todd The present appeal.
however. was for a voluntary Offering.
And they came, every one whose heart
was stirred and every one whose spirit was
made willing and they brought the Lords
Offering 10 the work of the tabernacle
The very fact that the distinction is made,
of the willing hearted. indicates that then
as now. there were those who loved their
possessions better than sanctuary, those
whose hearts were not stirred by past
~ safv ir4cf tfrp.i a.
These apatnetic ones have many descend
ants conservative people, opposed 10 en-
thusiasm and aggressive measures which
cost something. \ cOnsecrated heart is
the scarce Of liberality.
4 few gifts inspired by love weigh moro
on the divine platform than many forced
from unwilling hearts upon the assessment
plan.
women (as many as were willing heartcd).
SAYS Bust, the peculiar phraseology OF the
Hebrew indicates th\t the women brought
their gifts first, and were followed by the
men: however that may be as respects
readiness and zeal. the work OF God needs
the service and gifts Of both
AT a meeting of the Presbyterian assem-
blV when the report on missions gave
large sum a. derived from lcgacics aud the
womans board some one is said 10
have moved 2 vote of thanks u the dead
men and the i've women of our churches
Peloubct
Each brought what he had, gold, silver,
gems, spun goods and those who had not
these brought their talent Of skilled labor,
and so tie tabernacle was more than pro
vided for and Moses found it necessary 10
issue proclamation restraining the people.
Among the causes which led 10 this re
markabic generosity were lat, the people
realized that they had broken their covenant
obligations and had been restored 10 favor
in ft f.afif a.
their thaukiUlucss that opportunity had
been given 20 renew their allegiance: ID
they realized the Importance OF sanctuary
as an aid 90 correct living. The observance
Of the sabbath which Moses had empha-
sized would be promoted by regular con-
vocation and forms OF service. All OF this
was actuatcd by loyal hearts anxious TO
carry out Gods plans. God did not need
thes,. gift for the riches Of the world We're
his, but the people uecied the blessings
which would return rs "a reflex influence
The mac,ltUde Of these gifts following
the offerirrs made for the golden calf, in
dicates the vast wealth Of Israel in gems
and ornan ents IL il not very remarkable
when we remember that rings, necklaces
and Jewels We're the special delight OF the
people u destitute Of wearing apparel
today. tie Egyptian wiz be extTayagantly
decked with valuablcs Of this sort. 1t Is
remembered that Israel was burdened with
gifts by The Egyptians following the
calamities which bcfcll them in the death
Of their first born
Men and women both wore golden orna-
ments. There was no money in the foIsn
Of coin or bullion, in that early age. Per
sonal decorations, such "A rings, etc, were
weighed and passed current with mer-
chants Costly and elegant ornaments
abounded in proportion as clothing was
simple and scarce. Notwithstanding. blue,
purple and scarlet" were the valuable
colors in linen and wool. Egyptian goods
Of this description are found 80 wonderfully
fine and delicate as 10 be far more valuable
than their weight in gold, hence were
sometimes spoken Of as Oblations Of pure
gold. Goats hair was heavy material
used in the construction Of tents. Red
skins Of rams" were doubtless those tanned
and colored. similar 20 what is now known
as morocco. This industry was common in
-.ibya from rcmotest antiquity. Badger
-Sin.,n seal. material manufactured from
the skins Of marine animals, which was
better adapted TO exposure. Piiny speaks
Of tents made of sealskins as proof against
lightning Augustus is said TO have used
such a tent silver and brass" "copper"
mines Of gold, silver and copper were
worked IN Egypt and Arabia at this time
'Shittim wood, the acacia, a thorny tree
close grained and very hard, most suitable
for cabinet work. No other wood was