The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-15
Sunday School Lesson for October 16.
The Temple Repaired.
Chronicles, XIV, Alb.
BY J. E. GILBERT, d. D., IL. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

the people (verse 1Oj, showing that they
esteemed IL a pleasure to contribute
proof of their spiritual state, In striking
contract with many in our time I'll Cor.
tx, y. Second, the amount received was
abundant adequate to all purposes (verse
IL. The chest was filled again and again,
and the contents carried away in bags (ll
Kings xii, 1O), and this was done day at
ter day. Third the offering was regarded
so important that the high priest, the
highest functionary of religion, and the
kings scribe, the chief representative Of
the secular power, deemed it proper to
employ part of their time in taking ac-
count of 1t and seeing that it was prop
erly laid away in a safe place. 1t is stated
that this collection was that which Moses
had laid upon the people (vcrse 81, per-
haps "the atonement money" required
In the law (Ex. xxx, 16), appointed for
the service of the tabernacle. which had
been accumulated during the time of
Athaliah.
COMPLETION.-The money being pro-
Vided the work was prosecuted with Vigor
oversees 12 and 49,. The king and Jehoida
gave personal supervision, being united
in their design and having common in
terest. Three classes of worlmon were
omployed-carpenters, those who wrought
in wood; masons, those who wrought in
stone and metallurGists, those who
worked i'm iron and brass. This enunera-
tion shows how greatly the house hal
fallen to decay and how general ana thor
ough was the renovation. Moreover, the
hired mon received their wages promptly.
1t was an old-time economic principe or
rule among the Jews that wages should
not be kept back even over the night
(LeV. xix, 13), and under Christianity it
was said that the complaint Of the op-
pressed workman was heard in heaven
Uames V, A. So the glad hearted and
well-paid tCllCrs continued their labors,
until the temple built by Solomon was
fully restored to it's original beauty ready
for the offices of worship. once more it
shonc in the morning sun as the beams
kissed the dome, the pride of the people
psalm cXXii, p.
CONCLUSION..-Hcre is the proper way
of building and repairing churches. Let
the leaders whose business it is to super
wise religious matters, be careful to keep
the sanctuary in good condition. knowing
that the house las great influence upon
worship. If in, proVementS are needed let
estimates be carefully made and plans
| matured. Let these be submitted to as
| sistants and by them laid before the reo-
pie until what is needed shall be well
! understood. Let an appeal be made to the
generosity of the congregation. IN the con-
! tidence that the people will support what
| they prize. Let there be IA definite mode
| of receiving the free-wll offerings, such
| that all shall know they are authorized
! and will be properly used. Let time be
| given for the cultivation of those Gener-
| Gus impulses which are sure to be awak-
| ened when a good measure is popularly
| presented. Let the money be gathered in
| one store, properly guarded and held for
| a wise use. Let men be employed and
| regularly paid to do the work. Let that
work go fClward in such manner as that
| those who gave their money will behold
| the result of their gift and be glad. In
| this way, there need be no begging, no
| delay, no complaining. The house, beau
| tiful, consecrGted and occupied, will be a
| standing argun ent for other benevolence.
And the hearts will go out in thanksgiv-
ing and praise for the opportunity to dc
| good.