Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-11-28
International Sabbath School Lesson
December 1, 1889.
HELPS FOR STUDY.

HELPS FOR STUDY.
TIME-1004, b. e.
TITLE-The Dedication of the Temple.
TEXT Kings, VIII, 54-63.
PLACE--Jerusalem, inside the temple
courts.
HIsToRY-The temple was Jewish struct-
ure, though the materials, and even the
| architect, were from abroad. King David
had formed the plans of it. Phoenicia was
the oldest civilized nation, whose commerce
and maritime interests surpassed all other
nations. By splendid diplomatic skill, David
had formed a strong alliance with their King
Hiram. This opened up ready market tor
the products of the gardens, vineyards,
fields and fiocks of Palestine. The amazing
aggregate of $4,447, 100000, besides a vast
amount of raw material, was collected and
ready for Solomon to begin the erection Of
building The Phoenicians, having repu-
tatIon for skilled artisans, Solomon applied
to King Hiram for a experimenting archi-
tect. Hiram gladly favored the son of his
old friond David, and sent a man by his own
name, (Hiram), whose mother, however,
was Jewess. 100000 men worked years
and six months on the construction Of this
house of the Lord. The beams were shaped
in the temporary shops in the forests of
Lebanon. The stones were hewn asd dress.
ed in the "quarries under Jerusalem'-also
carefully prepared that "there was neither
hammer nor AK, nor any tool of iron heard
in the house while 1t was in building" 1t
is said that the Masonic Fraternity originate
ed in the building ofthe temple. Primarily,
it related exclusively to the art and mystery
of the craft of architects and masons, and
constituted guild, having for its chief
end the preservation of the rules and priv
lleges of the building profession. The early
part of the Christian era was notably
church building period, and these skilled
mechanics were highly priced, and the or
der was fostered. Whenever large church
was to be built, these Masons came in to re-
inforce the local workmen, and found ready
employment. But modern speculative
Freemasonry is a mystification of the form
err, founded on the "practice of moral and
social virtue" Its Distinguishing features
are brotherly -loye, relief, truth, and charity
in its most extended sense. The temple was
built inside of an Enclosure of about 35 acres,
called "the temple court" All of the cham.
bers were just eight times as large as those
of the Tabernacle. For example. the Inner
Sanctuary was cube of 80 feet dimensions,
whereas the one In the Tabernacle was only
10 feet. The extreme length was 100 feet,
and the width 60 feet. The ceiling of the
Holy of HOLES, "Sanetum Sanctorum,o was
45 feet above the floor. Nothing however is
known of the kind of roof, or the external
height.
TEACHING The Temple was costly,
beautiful edifice-was long time in build
ing, but the dedicaiory service was short,
but impressive. Solomon recounts the
special and protecting providences OF God
to Israel. There was thanksgiving, prayer,
and sacrifice, and dedication to God. God
accepted this offering, manifestiBg bis APP
probation by his presence. The true Christ
ian may be compared TO this Temple. Re-
deemed by the precious blood of Christ
costly purchase-He stands dedicated to
God. His "body Is a temple Of the Holy
Ghost" presented, a living sacrifice, Holy,
acceptable. A house of prayer indeed, an
altar from which shall arise sweet ineenee
to jehovah. Silent forces are going on there
beautifying, strengthening, comforting, stay
ing the soul. and at last, Saving with IN ev-
erlasting salvation,
A. MONTGOMERY,
Pastor Presbyterian Church.