The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-27
BY REV. J. E. GILBERT, p. o.
Secretary American Society Of Religious Education.

ndent assertion (Phil., iv:1s). and see the
promise to those who abide in Christ.
John, xv:7D Read tho cxhortation to
Timothy e Tim, HID. and to tho Ephe.
sian church (Eph., WHO, both based
upon the great truth that a man may tri.
umph over obstacles and accomplish the
great work he undertakes II only God Is
with him.
TIE SUCCESS (vcrses Z. s. 9. 10.)-
Now comes the specific prediction that
Ierubbabel would complete the temple
which no had begun. This great Jewish
leader, who laid the foundation atone
should also bring forth the cap stone. to
be set In the gable, amidst loud ac-
clamations OF the people. ezra HELD
Seeing, then. that such success was GER
tain, the angel who spoke to Zechariah
addressed Il word OF reproof TO the faint
hearted. to those who had looked with
acknowledgment upon the struggle OF the
years since the people returned from
Babylon. Those were days Of small
things not to be despsed. The Jews
themselves, and especially their enemies
who had frustrated and hndercd them
must think these feeble efforts were all
for naught. The eyes OF the Lord, which
run TO and fro through all the earth,
bcheld this work. He knew what had
been oneand With what motives, and He
would bring all things TO pass In HIS :
own time.
THE QUESTIONS. Tvs. il and Pr
The prophet appears to have grasped the
meaning OF the vison only In part. He
knew what the candlesticks represented,
and he had heard the message concerning
the governor and his ultimate success In
building the temple, but he was still
!! ignorant OF the meaning Of th etwo olive
treet and the golden pipes that empty the
oil and he asked the angel to explain.
This inquiring spirit is highly cct>-
mcndablc. it has been well said that
partial knowledge is only disturbed igno-
rance. 1t frequently occurs that people,
having gained a limited view or sub
ject, fall into most serious error. re-
sulting in damage TO themselves and TO
others While 1t is true that In this
life all knowledge must be imperfect Il
Cor. xiii:12), IL should ever be remem-
bercd that Investigation should be pushed
up TO the boundary OF all that is possible.
He who voluntarily stops short Of that
line misses the glory Of life and dinn-
shcs his power for good CLOS. ivG).
THE DISCLOSR3.--Vs. - and A.)
Zachariah's inquiry was promptly reward
cd The angel gave him information OF
great Importance. The two olive trees.
golden pipes wecr cmblems OF the two
Amounted ones than stand by the Lord.
Theer has been some discussion among
scholars but the general opinion Is that
these two anointcd ones were Zerubpabel
i and Joshua, tho governor and the high
priest They represented the civil and
religious powers, through whom God
comes TO fncn, as the oil flowed through
the branches and the pipes to the candle-
sticks. Here Is plainly taught that the
State and the church are the channels
Trough which Divine influence proceeds
to the good Of men. This truth is ex-
pressed In many passages OF the Scrip
ture. See the words Of Jesus as to- the
church Matt xvi:1S), and of Paul as
to the tometab. ltomvsJ v(Rbgqkmfw
TO the State (Rom. xili:1j 1t was Of the
utmost Importance to make this dis
closure at this time to Zacharlah to
txalt his idea Of both institutions
EFLECTIONS.--Tho order OF Divine
Providence Is often obscured. Many men
stand ut the open door OF great oppor-
, tunities, fearing to advance because OF
untoward circumstances. In ancient tlme
God was pleased by special message 10
make known His will, speaking by men
upon whom his spirit was laid ~ Peter
i:2l) Now he directs us to the record OF
the earlier revelations Whicn are more
reliable III Peter 1929, and bids us study
10 know what is right and best. OF one
thing all may be assured that He vii!
.crumnlish His purpose. He ordinarily
employees political and ecclaslas.4eai
pn,res both which are the anointed
.r.nrics or channels of His grace. and
,nev should ever be so regarded Sad
day when men forget that the spirit OF
Cod is the efficient power. Sad day when
church or state becomes SO corrupt as no
rIunnce to the world. y