Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-27


stick were ornamented with representa-
| tons Of almond blossoms, pomegranates
| and lily blossoms, the top lily holding a
hemispherical lamp. "a talent of pure gold
was used in making the candlestick which
was estimated, aside from the skilled work
at SIS, 900 in value) The lamps with a
little spout at the side for the wick were
lighted at the time of the evening oblatiOn
and kept burning during the night the cen
ter one burning night and day. There
were no windows in the tabernacle and the
priests as they ministered knew no night
or day for they walked in the light of the
candlestick, representing the light of God,
type Of Christ the spiritual light OF the
world. The central light, too was type
of Christ, and the branches, of his church
Only one lampstand Ga common base de-
noted that in multiplicity there is unity
the number seven indicating completeness
The lamp burning in the darkness testified
10 the fact that i'm God there is no darkness
and that rs vessels in the spiritual sanctu-
airy men were 10 be pure like unto gold
and the light OF their acts was TO issue from
right motives sincerity everywhere.
The golden altar of incense. This was a
foot and half square and three feet high
with curved projection at each corner
This stood nj the innermost end of the holy
place just before the inner veil and here in
cense was burned morning and evening IN
a censor set upon the altar, the censor also
being of gold. The burning incense from
spices constituted a sweet Odor. and in con
nectiOn the people were accustomed opray;
thus prayers are spoken Of as continually
rising before God. This altar of prayer was
reached by the light of the golden candle
stick
The alter Of burnt Offering. made Of the
same wood as the other furniture, was over
laid with bronze or copper instead Of gold,
with ornamental work. 1t was seven and a
half feet square, and four and one-half feet
high. The FURNISHED parts were two feet
from the ground lest the base become
furnished. The interior was filed with earth
smoothed on the top wherein was burned
the sacrifices. IL stood before the tabernacle
Ia teach that access TO the holy place (heaV-
EN- could be attained only by sacrifice.
The brazen LAYER was "a large copper YES
sci, standing upon pedestal, nlled with
water for the use of priests who washed
their hands and feet every time they would
enter within the tabernacle. CThis LAYER
was made from the surrendered mirrors OF
the women whose devotion counted il not
sacrifice 10 dispense with the useful articles
of the toilet The washing signified the
moral cleanliness required of all who would
come into the presence OF God Moses and
Aaron washed in the appointed lavcr How
ever high the official position the law Of
publication is the same, none are exempt.
Every man in the church should be charac
tcrized by external and internal purity The
office, however high, does not exempt from
the law of cleanliness OF heart and life
The cour, OF the tabernacle curtain en-
closed. was $50 feet long and - wide. Al
the farther, or western end was the tabor
naclc proper The screen around the court
was of white linen suspended by hooks
upon pillars Of acacia wood seven and one
half feet high. The base stood in socket
OF copper and the SUBMITS were OVERLAND
with silver and connected by silver rods
The front entrance, Go the east, 20 feet
wide was supplied with "A finer curtain
embroidered with cOloTs and gold. This
white linen enclosure typifed separation Of
Gods people from the world, tgentilcs
were not 10 enter ana the enclosures
within typifci progress in holiness until
perfection was reached.
The dedication of the tabernacle was
celebrated i'm the use of fragrant COM
pound Of olive oil myrrh cinnamon. Gala
mus and cassia, set apart for sacred uses
The teaching being that some things
should be held sacred for religious pur
poses some hours, some days, some places,
some money, some talents
As the material elements composing the
sacred place had been set apart. so priests.
representative men, were 20 be consecrated
10 leadership in spiritual concerns. Here
tofore the head of every house had been lis
patriarch or priest, now men divinely called
were 10 hold this position. They were 10
be washed bathing the entire person.. FOR
he who would acceptablY approach God
must be pure "by the washing Of regencra
ton and the sanctiication of the Holy
Spirit" Garments We're 10 be fresh and
clean: white linen reaching from the neCl;
10 the feet, embroidered with colors and
gold.
And thou shalt annOint them, setting them
| apart for holy special service of God. They
were TO peform the necessary work of the
tabernacle and lead the peoplein the regular
| daily and weekly devotions teaching then
the statutes of the Lord.
To be an everlasting priesthood-that Is
| there should be continuous succession from
generation 10 generation until He, 10 whom
| all forms and ceremonies pointed, should
| come. The Old Testament gives pictures
| The New Testament presents realities
| CLEARING THE WAY.