The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-27

THE PROPHET.-Zcch Is first adj
dress, which is on It's face Introductory
(chapter i:D, is dated in the eighth
month in the second year of Darius
(B C. SOY, two months after the hrst
prophecy Of 1iaggai alag. I'D. me Two
men were, therefore, for a time contein-
pornry. and they acted in concert In the
commencement OF their labors, SO far rs
concerned their first object--namely, the
rebuilding OF the temple. In this nag
gal led the way, and then left the work
to the younger man. But Zccharlah did
not confinc his prophetic activity 10 this
narrow scope. His uttcrances take IN
the whole character and condtnon OF the
covenant people. their present dangers
and discourage,ncnts. their tendchcies ~
Journalism and sclf-deccption' their re,
lations to the surrounding heathen, ana
their Influence upon the future OF inc
world. 10 many his writings are ODD
scurc because he deals larger! III >!
bolic and Gguritive language
THE VISION (vs. j, 9, 3. D.-Our les
SIM pertiins to the fifth OF the eight
visions granted to Zcchariah In the
night. u czech. 1850 These given ut one
time set forth AN orderly progress OF
thought. y which, may bc learned only ny
read[ng the entire series from chapter
IN to Wis This vision may be calica
mo golden candestick With the Two
olive trees. The candlestick was FORMED
after the pattern OF the one IN me tape'
nnclc5 Gen xxv:31 80. but with some re-
M rknbr variations. 1t had "a round yes
saI IN the top. seven feeding tubes for
each lamp, and two trees at us siue, Ho'ie
nj which we're In the original IN the sane
tnarv The candlestick represented tne
church as the appointed light bearer III
!, dar,, world. This r. confirmed by sew
ora, passages In the New ics.,t',ren,
Tnrntt ly.14) spoken by Christ ana Pau TAU!
(Phil. ii:15), and by the statement =.
the angel in explaining so'N' Ma
similar figure TO John III Patlnos' INV
1900 K ,yhat
did MI this mean? Iechariai WIS 80 ~
,,incoa that some important truth was
~ he communicated to him but nc Wa
,,nahle 10 interpret the picture. or, II ne
- .onr,o conjecture of its signlncance,
,,a aos,rcd 10 be assured. Hence ne ASK :
al an explanation from the anger WV
Mad been speaking with MN, !, ,,,o.
4 ~, 7i.anrcl'si count er-Hlcstion lmpiles
10 :, ! ( Nnronhe ct might have learned inc
a,,iact ~ the 9tvision from the nnalosS "
! he golden candestick IN the hoiy p'ass
Hero q question arises for our co''9'u.l'
lion. Why did God present 20 ms -.
fiat which was in itself SO .', -.
to req ulre an explanation WY e., 10
tho message spoken at ones ~ 10
.,,,,,n,ost TORN? BECAUSE the visual methoa
90 adnnted to the undeNeloped mihn'
,o,nul.tod TO assure one OIL sul'c'
.,a.,,..I nresence. This was the reason
Gov me burning bush eek, III: seen seen ~. ny
nInsos and the clovcn tongues that ip-
n m rod 10 the apostles. (Acts. ii:S)
III MIN MEANING-(Verse 81. The anger
.a,,,ht Zochnriah. The vision was an en-
bodied prophecy, intended primary ~
tho guidance and comfort OF leruppiDe'.
Ito substance was "ont BY might ana ny ~.
by power but by my spirit LIE ~
which the Hebrew governor mas s , u"ue' ),
,,I,a,, vii, not be carried out by human
.,,.oncth in any form, but by the spirit
of cod. The candlestick gave iight' pu'
~ could not do this unless supplied Win
o,, in sufficlent quantity. Hence the
svmhoIish. SO all that was ncedlui lor
tho maintenance Of the church OF dou,
inc,udinr the restoration of the temple,
a. that time the material center, could
no attained only by tho same agency.
The teaching here Is inc same us ti,at
given by Jesus, who REQUIRED me apostics
to walt until they were enauea WIN .ne
Holy Ghost duke, xxix;S' WHOSE po"e'
was actually realized at feh.ceost N''o'''
THE OBSTACLES Cverse D.--The inter-
nrcter OF the vision next contemplates
Zcrubbabcl, strengthened as ne may DC
by the spirit of God, and SO prepared LOT
the great work before him, me am,
culties in his way, both numerous ana
formidable should be overcome. THESE
appeared TO stand out consplcuously IKE
mountainA which should become
plane. This figure of speech was en-
ploycd by Jesus in nm address to the dis
clples Matt, xvii:29), when Ha declared
their ability in His service. It is IN fun
harmony. with all these utterances IN
which, by the help of God men are said
to be made strong. Listen TO Pnul's con-