The National tribune., 1893-01-19

V. .. People who are going 10 build Tenn
pie should be clean in a moral sense aud if
people be clothed in righteousness they will
not permit the Temple to lag in building But
purity Is not for an occasion. Ii is TO be con-
tinuous. lt must reach through the $40 years
intervening between the then and the Advent
of the Messiah
Priests have in charge che affairs Of the
Church. They also to pass judgment on
things relating to religion. They are 10 keep
care for, the courts Of God VA
Ministers must walk in Gods ways be faith
fnl keepers, judge fairly. be diIigent guardians
OF the Temple and all its concerns
In case Of real reformation promise was made
that the Temple would De reconstructed. SER
vices renewed, Joshua continued, as High
Priest, to walk about the Temple engaged In
its due care. (Y783 a
The ministry are wondered at. " 81 Their
mission is wonderful Before Christ they were
forerunners of the Messiah. called the Branch
now they are preachers of Christ crucifed
jewish priests, and specially the High Priests,
were types of Christ, and as such objects of
wonder
Different views are held as TO the stone
IN verse 8. We remember the Church Is
represented as great stone rolling over
earth, running the evil. The stone might iu
It's first revolutions seem rude, but God will
polish 1t, ornamentally engrave IT, make 1t DO
admired for its beauty 1t is to be the object
OF his constant attention: on it rests the sevea
eyes OF God; that is TO say. it will share his com.
piete observation, benefit by his Providences
" In one day" tY. 81 Good Friday, the
day OF the Crucifxon.
Ihen would come peace, the quiet of holt
ness, the loving confidential association of the
righteous. Sitting under ones vine is an ex.
preston indicating tranquil surroundings.
s. Notes.
1. Joshua was clothed with filthy gar
ments." ". 81 The opinion of EwaId, in.
dorsed by Stanley lectures On the Jewish
Church, Vol. III, p. 103) that the rich apparel
belonging to the High Priest was vet at Baby
Ion, IS not to be entertained. Readers of the
Bible cannot fail to notice how much signi6-
canoe is given to the embIenatic or fipurativa
use OF clothing. White garments suggest Jog,
glory, purity; garments very expensive and
beautiful, are emblemS of exaltation and vie
tory; coarse clothing indicates, fgurativeIy,
outlines, sinfnlness sorrow. White garments.
or, what is more significant clean apparel, arc
the language of purity and innocence and lust
IN opposition to this soiled garments, filthy as
says verse 3. are emblems Of wickedness and
depravity and humility.
e The expression F." a brand plucked ouk Of
the ire" was probably of proverbiaI use and
simply signifies timely rescue from impending
peril.
When the Jews were in captivity they were
az In furnace, and God snatched them as
brands from fire. They were being consumed.
Flames OF prejudice wrapped around them.
Their religion stirred up fiery opposition.
Sometimes the fire burst out into flames Of
persecution. Enemies against them warmed
up and their wrath fred them with animosity
developing cruel slaughter.
6. Conclusion -
1t is only by the mercy of God toward as
sinners that we escape a fate similar to that
mentioned in Genesis 10: 24: "And Jehovah
rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah birthstone
and fire from Jehovah out of heaven" Sin
had well nigh brought US TO ruin. Our con-
sciences burned. The eyes Of many have as it
were glared at a realization of personal sins
ommitted-numerous and enormous. Jesus
stood as at the mouth of furnace to snatch US
from the fire. We are doing similar work every
day as Christians when we seize on persons aud
try to save them from the flames of temptation
We lind similar expression in Amos, 4 II:
" Ye were as frebrand plueked out from the
burning" The children of Israel had been
guilty of enormous sins. God is represented as
furnishing them after the manner of some cruel
Eastern rulers, to wit, by casting them into
furnace. If such punishment were continued
the victims would soon be utterly consumed.
But quickly they were drawn out singed or
seorehed. This is fgurative way of speak
ing. and graphically illustrates letting up Of
punishment.
We have seen many firebrand. Very much
of the strength of the wood exists. It can yet
give support to weight. IL may yet be pol
ished, and made not only useful but beautiful.
Had it remained little longer in the flames is
would have been reduced to ashes.
Some are yet chosen in the furnace of afiic-
ton, (Isa, 4S :10,) and hence snatched hastily
from the burnings
Literally, the Jewish Nation was as brand
plucked from the fire. 1t was locally as in a
furnace. The peoples on all sides were burning
TO attack and ruin them. They stood always
monuments to Gods special grace.
Great prejudice existed at Epworth against
the Rev. Samuel Wesley, father of John and
Charles Twice attempts were made to burn
down his house, the rect0ry. The family were
in great peril at the second firing, escaping
with the greatest difficulty in night apparel
One child, it was thought could not be gotten
from the advancing flames. Only by CHANGING
to wake and reaching the Window lid he es-
cape. That was the child John, who became
the famous preacher with the world for par
ish. All through life this marvellous escape
was remembered. On one of his portraits he
had engraved the emblem of house in flames
AMI the motto, I" Is not this brand plucked
out of the ire?"
This expression has become of quite fire.
quent use in Church phraseology. Bunyan
made graphic employment OF il. II applies
specially in instances of conversion of persons
reckoned generally extraordinarily sinful
1t would be quite in place when referring to
Saul's conversion. (Am, a: IL; Pet, a.: 10;