The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-28
THE OFFERING.

SACRIFICES.-The Mosaic ritual of wor-
ship comprised scheme of offerings and
sacrifces-of oblations including sacrifices
and the ceremonies of making the offerings.
The origin of sacrifices in Divine worship is
unknown. That they were employed in wor-
ship by the Hebrew patriarchs is certain.
Abraham sacrificed ram instead of his
son Isaac, whom he had resolved to sac
rifice as burnt offering Genesis xxii).
This may have been the origin of sacrifices
among the Hebrews. Noah sacrificed burnt
offerings when he came out of the ark after
the flood (Gen. viii. 20). Gain and Abel, the
sons of Adam and Eve, the first human pa
rents, made "offerings unto the LORD" "of
the fruits of the ground" and d" of the first
lings of the flock" (Gen. K. Pa. 1t would
hence appear that sacrifoial worship was as
old as the race of man. Citations, or gifts
of Divine worship, may have sprung from
the natural desire of the human heart to
make some return to Con for the bounties
and blessings of life, and to secure and main
tain his favor for the continuance of these.
These gifts were brought and left at the
altar-which was originally a memorial of
COPS presence, (bethel-house of GoD, Gen.
xviii. 10-18)-or burnt upon it, and caused
to ascend in fame and smoke to the upper
region of the air where he was conceived to
dwell beyond mortal sight. These prevail
ing forms of worship Moses organized into
a system of worship, or institution of relig-
ion, adapted to the purposes for which the
Israelites were constituted the people of GOD,
and in harmony with the covenant which he
had made with the nation.
The ceremonies of religion were made to
express the peoples relation to their Divine
King. Anciently it was the practice TO make
presents to the king with whom intercourse
was sought, or whose friendship was desired.
The manner of approach to, and communion
with COP, the King of Israel, was expressed
by oblations or gifts. These were to be Sc
lected from the choicest of possessions and
bounties of his hand, and we're intended to
express and cultivate genuine feelings of
worship at all times, and under all circum-
stances and experiences. CONSIDERATION,
prayer, thanksgiving, penitence and forgive
ness were all expressed by offerings. Wine,
oil, meal and domestic animals and fowls
ooSAAAAONH
were known by different names, according
to their significance and the ceremony en-
ployed in making the offering. Some ex-
pressed devotion or conservation merely, OF
in general, some expressed the recognition
of blessings received, and others desire for
blessings to be bestowed; some, wholly or in
part, were poured or placed upon the altar
some were employed in sacrifcial meal
and others were wholly consumed upon the
altar; these were called "burnt offerings
The Lesson contains the Law prescribed By
Moses for the sacrifice of bullock for g
burnt offering, which he received by Divine
impression, or which he may have conceived
and formulated while in devout meditation
in the Tabernacle. Con, no doubt, spoke tC
the soul of Moses as he speaks to all his chill
dren who listen to his silent, or speeches
voice. All of the worlds true lawgiverl
have but enacted what COP has spoken tC
them to declare to the people.
THE sIGNIFIcANcE.-Bu offerings