The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-15

Oct. 10, 1s9S-T ChrOn. xiv, Ala.
A sacrilegious queen. dilatory priest. and a
determined king pass in review. What the
woman did, the priest neglected, the king ac-
complished, makes an important page in Hebrew
history. The temple had been standing one hun
dred and fifty years. Its natural decay in that
period would have been considerable. But in ad-
dition to the impairment incident to ordinary use
and climatic changes. the lovely and sacred
house had been deliberately broken up and robbed
of it's ornaments and furniture by the sons of
Athalah, that wicked woman
There sentimental reasons il no higher
why Joash should be minded to- repair the
house of the Lord. 1t sheltered him in his boy
hood from the assassins knife. He had lived
seven years in its sacred precincts. He could not
easily brook the ruin of his asylum. But his
ecclesastics gave faint-heerted response to his
command to collect the funds for repair. Even
Jehoiada, the chief, was dilatory in this matter
His indifference may have arisen from seniiity;
that of the priests in general from their being
tainted with the current idolatry, or from the
selfish idea that gifts to the repair of the temple
would diminish their own revenue '0''p'0
The king himself now stepped into the breach
which s nnnres When the
saw there was to be no maladmnistration of the
against the priests officer. they filled the money
chest with their offerings until there was abund-
in iron and brass were mending the house It is
significantly said they set the house of God in
state. and strengthened it.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES
Joash: 1t was essential TO Gods purpose con-
corning the gift of His Son that at least of
Davids houses be spared.-Douglass.
Repair the house: 1t is a superficial servant of
religion who does not repair dingy house of re-
ligion.-Baker
He said. Go: They were not merely to receive.
but go and ask.-Lewis
Gather money: ID The atonement money; (g
Money from special VOWS; 90 Freewi offerings.
Jacobs.
From year to year: If all cannot be accom-
pHshed at once, let the attempt not be aban-
doned, but repeated again and again.-Green.
PROCLAMATION: Not content with placing chest.
he made proclamation.-Keil.
Wrought and work was perfected: Labors OF
all nom king to carpenter, essential.
-Trumbu
THE TEACHERS CULVER
First-No building. however sacred, strong or
costly, will keep itself. The necessity for repair
is imperative II costs thirty thousand dollars
per annum to keep ST. Peters Cathedral from
decay.
Second-Many an ecclesiastical establishment
since the days of Joash has sheltered clerics who
were Indifferent to its welfare long as they had
their living cut of IL.
Notwithstanding matter is often indispensable
TO success; The Levites FASTENED it not
Fourth-Joash's methods admirable The
chest conspicuously placed was object lesson
a silent appeal. Moses influential name was
used to further incite the people They were also
assured against any embezzlement of their dona-
tions. The kings scribe and the priests officer
made the accounting, and a check against
each other. The final disposition of the funds
Fifth-But all would have failed had il not been
for the aggressive personality of the king Good
OF vim in somebody TO make them 90. Joash was
minded to repair the house of the Lord