The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-07-10
1.-The Object of the Offering.

L. ne ODJect OF tOe O1tefIngs
The offerings which Moses called for were to
build tabernacle, in which was to be sanct-
uary where the Lord was to take up his dwell
ing among the people (xxv, s.. This taber-
nacle was to the Hebrews what our Lord Jesus
is to us. 1t is indeed the most perfect of the
Old Testament types of our Lord Jesus. The
sign and type of the Incarnation John i, 1D.
1t was the place toward which their eyes and
their thoughts turned for sight of the glory
of God, and the visible place of the divine
presence; and from thence came all the divine
communications. There they went to meet
The Lord; hence it was called the "tent of
meeting" Around it all their worship GEN.
tered; around it their whole life was organized
It was the center OF the whole camp of the
congregation. There they went to worship
the Lord, and there they went to receive from
the Lord on the day of atonement the forgive
ness of their sins; there the heartbeat of their
spiritual life was felt, and from there the
divine life and love went out to them. In
order to conceive the full significance and
importance of the service they were called
upon to render unto the Lord in this matter,
we must try and think to ourselves what Jesus
Christ is to us, and then we will be able to
understand how holy and sacred was the privi-
1ege and duty which Moses now called upon
them to exercise. Gifts and offerings from
them for the building and service of the taber-
AdCtG NSIG Nlldt SIltS anu Offerings are from
rs for the maintenance of the ordinances of
Gods house and for the service of Jesus Christ
IN the spread of the gospel and all acts OF holy
charity. Tho significance of their gifts is
heightened when we remember that the first
act OF worship which was rendered to the infant
Jesus was by the wise men from the east, who,
"when they saw the young child, fell down
and worshiped him; and when they had
opened their treasures they offered (margin)
unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and
myrrh." Matt ii, ~. Their offerings were
made unto the Lord. Therefore the word was,
"Speak unto the children of Israel, that !hey
bring me an Offering" The tabernacle was
the visible object of their gifts but the Lord
himself was the invisible and real object. If
only we could, and would, remember that all
our gifts and service were unto the Lord"
and not only for the "cause," which is but the
occasion OF the gift, am sure there would be
great difference both in the motive and the
measure Of our gifts. Whether, therefore,
ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to
the glory Of Cod Il. Cor. x, 81.
1.-THE oIferers.
The duty and principles of benefcence are
much the same as set forth in the Old and
New Testament. To give of our substance unto
the Lord, whether it be much or little, is
enjoined as an exercise of grace, just as any
other act of worship. Therefore, as We abound
In everything, in faith and utterance, and
knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your
love to us, see that We abound in this grace
also" Oh. Cor. viii, y. Therein do we prove
the genuineness of our religion, and the sim
cerity of our love. There are many professed
disciples of our Lord who are forward to speak
and to pray, who talk of their faith and their
love; who are, at the same time, very back
ward in their gifts and very careful as to the
amounts which they do give. This impeaches
the genuiness Of their other graces. The
r
the measure of his faith, and the sincerity of
his prayers. We learn also from this account
that the offerers to this service were from
every class and condition of the children Of
Israel. 1t was not left for a few to give all
that was needed to build the tabernacle fur
nish it and supply it for service. Moses did
not call upon some Of the congregation, the
xich men, for instance, or the chief men, but
he called up 'all the congregation of the chill
dren of Israel" "Of every man that giyeth
IL willingly with his heart, ye shall take my
offering, said the Lord in giving the commits
sion TO Moses to build the tabernacle Though
the Lord said Of every "man,' it is evident
that he did not exclude the women; for we
and them forward with all the rest in giving
NO mention is made OF what children dId IN
this matter, but 10 doubt they had n share in
this act Of worship; for we well know that the
Lord always set great store 10y the praise
which proccedeth out OF the mouths Of babes
and Stockings" Notice what Is said IL the
twenty-hrst verse; "Aud there came, every
one, whose heart stirred him up aud every
one whom his spirit made wiling;" land all
the women whose heart stirred them up
lverse 20. 1t was an universal Offering 50 far
as the different classes IN the congregation
were concerned. There were, 10 doubt some
who held back from the service then as there
are those who are nominaily among the people
OF God aud withhold from this service now.
A careful reading Of the text Of our lesson
will show THAI the men and the women, the
rich and the poor, the common people and the
rulers alike participated. This is the reason
Shy the service was such joyous one and the