The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-05

was brought by the priests unto its place
in the temple, the most holy place (EX.
XVI. 49,; the same relative position 1t o DC
Gated that the cherubims covered 1t with
their wings. Il Kings vi, 10 Then the
slaves by which the ark was carried were
removed, signifying that 1t had come to
its final and appropriate resting place.
The cherubimS were Symbolical hgureS OF
composite creature-form. They did not
represent actual beings. but were symbols
of divine attributes, onnipotence and om-
niscience. Some have thought they were
borrowed from the religious insignia OF
Egypt, Assyria and Persia, where, as
with other imaginative people. there was
pernatural. This is hardly probable, for
the cherubirn is found in sacred history
long prDs to hs eS sSa. Iii. esthen
bols We're adopted and presented from
those mentioned in early Scripture. In all
cases symbols were employed as helps
to mans spiritual exercises.
CONTENTS-(Ferse 81 The ark thus
deposited in the most holy place and COW
cred by the wings OF cherubims was
nothing but sacred receptacle, yet as
Moses for that sole purpose eek: XIV. ~
by command of the Lord. And through
all the intervening centuries. notwith,
been devoted to that exclusive use lDeut.
X, 81, namely, to hold the two tables or
stone on, which the Ten Commandments
were written in Horeb. That proves that
the decalogue was the dearest thing COM
mitted to the 1sraelitish nation. The stat
utes-moral ceremonial and clvil-were
intrusted to the keeping of scribes, who
made copies. but this fundamental code,
however many times transcripts might be
prepared, was preserved in the original
and laid up in the most sacred place.
When the ark was put in position moth
est place. preserved alone. with more pa
triotic and pious faithfulness than the
original draft of our Declaration, the doc
ument was intended to survive all the
changes of time.
GLORY-Werses 10 and III Having de-
posted the ark in the place appointed for
1t. the priests who had borne it withdrew
by cloud of the divine presence. That
cloud first appeared before the children of
Israel in their march from Egypt QEx.
xiii, ~. afterwards behind them and be-
tween them and the Egyptians (Ex. xiv,
30), first as guide. then as a protection.
1t rested on the mount when Moses went
up to converse with God. EEK. XIV
the wilderness OEx xl, $40. and rested up
on it, 80 that all eyes might behold it.
And when the cloud lifted from the taber-
nacle and moved the 1sraelites journeyed.
What became of that symbol of the d.
vine presence during the long period of
the judges and the reigns of Saul and Da-
xd does not inform u.s. but now now
the ark is in position. The fact is pre-
sumptive. proof that the dedication marked
an era in the national life. when God
made sTecial exhibition of his glory.
sACRIFICES-Verses 62 and CD Our
committee has omitted from our lesson
all that follows the eleventh verse. the
that gave account OF the closing ceremo-
MES. The King and all Israel $50 many
as were present in Jerusalem uniting with
him) offered sacrifices. These were peace
nffprinDS nf ora nv
The exercise would be paralleled in our
time by singing the doxology and other
hymns of rejoicing. Twenty-Five thou
thousand sheep were laid on the altar. AS
the animals after they were offered were
to be eaten CNumb. xviii, 1O). this became
the general rejoicing. It is easy even at
this distance Ct time to estimate the ele-
ments that would enter into the express
sion Of that day. There stood the mag
David, completed after SO many years at
an immense cost. the most splendid build
ing Of the age. It had been given to God
shown his marked approval. Let all the
people rejoice in such an achievement.
CONCLUSION--The temple was greatly
practice Of Israel. Some imposing spot
where God would record his name lex.
Xxx. 20 and come and visit his people in a
special manner. according to his promise,
WOuIu pioteCl tueiii asoiist TIE
BILE practices in which the heather in
dulged. The long annual Journeys from
all parts of the land. made at stated
But the temple proved to be snare. the
source of much evil. because It usurped
the place in the hearts OF the people
". its services relapsed into proftless
Journalism. An enemy was sent to tear
downsits walls and to carry away its holy
vessels with the captive people. Oh Kings
49, y Ar16 off 10 1,,I ~,
pie was built the people in like manner
held it with idolatrous reverence as in
the time Of ChriSt. and it was destroyed.
Matt. xiv, % How prone Is man to
turn the blessings Of God into curses