The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-07-25
TIE SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
Notes on the Lesson for July 20
-"The Tabernacle"
From the Chicago Standard

WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
On the first day Of the first month. That
was beginning early. taking time by the
forelock for pious purposes. 1t is wise
alacrity. For those who fail to begin on the
first day usually pass by the second, third.
and fourth. until the time is fully spent.
Strange to say. as many as two-thirds. II not
more. of those who are leading to-day re-
ligious life took their start in youth, on the
first day Of the first month. so TO speak.
when the Baptist anniversaries were held In
New York City. at the First Baptist Church.
an expression was taken one day as TO how
many had Joined the church before the age
OF twenty. IL seemed as III all the audience
were on their feet. How many between
twenty and thirty? was the next query. A
goodly number arose. Between thirty and
forty! There were seven. il we remember
Alright. upon their feet. Beyond forty? For
"A while there seemed TO be no response and
then there was a movement under one of
the galleries. and one lone individual arose.
Depend upon it, the time 10 begin TO serve
God Is in the first blush of the morning.
There Is profound philosophy in IL. Re-
membert the sage word OF the divine. Begin
the day nth God. Then shall we end with
Him.
Set mp the tabernacle. There was promise
in such "A sign. Where Abraham pitched his
tent he builded an altar and by that sign he
conquered. When our forefathers came to
this land the first public and united enter
prise to which they put their hand was the
rearing OF the Lords house. and along with
the rafters of their own hastily constructed
dwellings arose the simple but substantial
beams and pillars Of the temple. And IL was
we'll. 1t prophesied the type of life which
was TO prevail in this American common
wealth. Alas that another spirit should be-
gin 10 strengthen itself. Assuredly il augurs
ill'to the nation, and men are not disposed
To take IL meekly. Have you noticed in re-
cent commencement orations what num-
Der OF political Know Nothings"-ultra
Americans-our colleges are developing?
The schools are full of them. 1t is not TO be
wondered at. Protection 10 American home
life and hearth-life is one of the demands OF
the age. We must not allow the tabernacle
10 be voted or hooted out. DIR. W. NJ. Haigh
tells OF two little Western cities which came
under his observation. One built first of all
the church and the school-house, the other
Knocked at religion and lot a saloon make
itself the community center. He has care
fully watched their development since. and
ii you will ask him to day he will give you a
new and practical illustration of the truth
that the wages OF sin is death. No. we can
not afford TO despise the tabernacle of the
Lord.
The ark of the testimony. Our clerical
friend. called upon recently 10 perform that
doctrinal sermon before the association,
wisely chose for his theme the practical i'm
port OF the ark for the days that now are. IL
IL thought We need to ponder. There is
much more about this ancient ark than the
imaginary scent of acacia and Of old mama.
The contents OF that precious box are more
TO US than rcminiscence. They are fresh
with perennial suggestiveness as the Chris
tian years come and go. The table of the
law with its Thou shalt" and Thou shalt
not" calls out as loudly for the duties and
against the vices of the nineteenth century
as when love and loyaltys first primer les
sons were being taught TO old Israel. The
pot of mamma still betokens Gods providence
in nourishment though the diet of the world
has vastly changed. The rod that budded
1--WE are speaking of the ark as fully fur
nished) never spake more loudly than now.
Pray We the Lord of the harvest that he
send laborers." And. over ALL the mercy
seat calling us. now as then, TO a God who
forgives sin and who hears and answers
prayer. Let us never lose this significant
symbolism from our hearts. When we ap-
pear in Gods house may our worshipful
spirits find there the true ark of the testi-
mOny.
Bring ia the table. The table of shew-
bread along with the golden candlestick and
the altar of incense stood in the first apart
ment in front of the veil before the holy Of
holes. On the table were placed each Sab
bath twelve loaves of bread. called shew-
bread because they symbolized and showed
forth communion with God. OF these the
priests were to eat in behalf of the people.
What is tho shewbread but the type of spir
itual communion, even as Christ reiterated.
Man cannot live by bread alone but by
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth
Of GOd?" In this dispensation we are all
priests unto God: let US draw nigh with
right heart that we may feed our souls with
heavens sustenancc. No matter where we
may be placed we find God there. Ruther-
ford i'm his prison cell at Aberdeen. cried
out: The king dineth with his prisoner,
and his spikenard casteth a smell. He has
led me TO such IA pitch and degree of joyful
communion with himself as | never before
knew" But in the Lords house. especially.
find God. Bring in the table" Come TO
the sacred place in tho spirit of the sanity
Gotthold. saying. For my part my soul is
like hungry and thirsty child. and need
his love and consolation for my refresh
ment." Blessed are they who hunger and
thirst after righteousness, for they shall be
filed"
Thou shalt bring in the candlestick has
been brought in. Here it is-God's holy
word. the lamp TO our feet and the light TO
our path. Alas for the temple where il Is
neglected or where il receives less than its
rightful regard There was time when u
bushel was placed over this light, and its
radiance was hid, when in the dark ages the
Catholic Church pai chain upon the book.
There are cnurcnCS To-day winch, putting
forward mems dreams and fancies for Gods
word of truth. have thrust the sacred can
destick. AS il were, into a corner. Let IL
stand out i'm the holy place beside the altar
Of incense and Mt the entering in of the
holy of HOLES. Admit this blessed light.
friend. into the secret place OF your own
heart. Let the light of Gods word shine
there Lur lucet in tenebris was the motto
OF the old Waldenses-"Lct light shine in
darkness" Believe IL. the old Bible Is the
light our darkened hearts need. Let no
one rob us of IL. On the arch of Titus in
Rome there is the picture of company OF
heather carrying of the sacred CANDLE
stick as part of the spells Of Jerusalem.
They would take it from us to-day, IL we
would let them. robbing us OF its supernatural
and inspirational power. Let IL alone. critic
skcptic! No ruthless hand OF man shall take
from the church this holy legacy of the Most
High.
An everlasting priesthood. Yes. in Christ.
who ever liveth 10 make intercession for US.
And priests and kings unto God ace we, as
we show him forth. Brother teacher. this
is our priestly privilege TO lead TO Christ.
Standing ut the door of the tabernacle of
the congregation to-day, may we point the
people TO n rent veil and n rent side, and just
beyond. breaking through-the Shekinah OF
Godl
Next lesson, The Burnt Offering" Lev
1: 10.
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To MAKE paper stick TO whitewashed