The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-10-25
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER 2e.

on the Days Lesson.
I. Zechariah's vision Tvs. 1-5). J..
"The angel" The same angel VINO
had shown Zechariah his other visions
"came again" "Waked me-" The
prophet had slept after the first series
of visions, and be is now aroused to be
instructed further 2. Behold cam
dlestick." This was no doubt similar
to the seven-branched candlestlck OF
Solomon's temple, although tne bowi'
the pipes and the two olive trees were
peculiar to this vision. The candle
stick was, /. A type of the Jewish ma
ton, Gods chosen people to shed light
to the Gentiles If they were willing
to carry out Gods purpose they could
not fail. 2. A type Of the Christian
church (Rev. 1:20). D Its purpose
was to give light. (2) Its material
was precious and costly, showing the
preciousness of the church. (3) Its
seven lamps in one denote the unity OF
Gods people. az There was con-
slant supply of oil, so the Holy Spirit
supplies the church with the grace or.
God. (5) The candlestick was MOI
the light, but held the light; it is the
work of the Christian to hold up the
true light, which is Christ. "All OF
gold" Pure in doctrine and practice
and indestructible-the true ideal or
the church. "a bowl" The fountain
of supply of oil to the lamps. This is
the emblem Of Christ, through whom
the Spirit is given. "Seven lamps"
There was only one lamp stand, De,
noting the unity of Gods people, but
it had various branches and lamps
denoting their multiplicity in unity.
and the number was seven, the symbol
of their completeness. Seven pipes"
See R. v. Each lamp had seven pipes
connected with the bowl. 49,.
8. "Two olive trees" The oil usu-
ally burned in the lamps was olive Oil,
pressed from the fruit of the olive
tree. The olive trees, one on each side
of the lamp stand, express the source
of supply. The bowl Of oil would soon
be exhausted unless a continual supply
flowed into it. The trees represent an
inexhaustble fountain connected with
the very nature of the Creator. The
supply Of power does not come through
human ministrations, but directly from
God. 4. What are these" Even in
spired men do not always understand
divine teachings. It is sometimes wise
to ask questions. s. 'No, my lord"
If we would receive instruction we
must be ready to acknowledge our 1g-
norance.
II. The Interpretation Tvs. 6-14). 6.
"Word-unto Zerubbabel." This vis-
ion was to inspire the people will. con-
fidence in their leaders as diVinely sus-
tanned, and the leaders with confidence
in their divine appointment to the
work, and to lead all to the true source
of strength and success. mot by
might" Of thy own. Not by their ar
mics, for they had none. Nor by
power" Authority from others. But
by My spirit" The providence, au-
thority, power and energy of the Most
High. No secular arm, no human pru-
dence, no earthly policy, no suits at
law, shall ever be used for the found
ing, extension and preservation OF My
church.
Z. 20 great mountain" This was a
figure suggesting the great work to be
accomplished and the many difficulties
in the way. The opposition from MS
enemies and the lack of zeal among
his own people had tended to discour-
age Zerubbabel. Become a plain"
Be wholly removed. At that very time
God was influencing Darius to refuse
the desires of the Samaritans and give
his favor to Jerusalem ezra o..
"Headstone. AS he had laid the foun-
dation stone, SO shall he put up the
headstone; as he has begun the build
ing, so shall he finish it. with shout
ings." Joyful acclamations.
8. "Shall also fnish.' An encour-
aging assurance to the prince of judah.
10. "Day of small things" Zeruopa-
bel belonged to the day of small things.
He did not appear like Solomon in all
his glory, but more like common man
than q great ruler. He seemed INFER
ior to the governor of Samaria, and
was subject to the King Of Persia.
We people the past with heroes. we
dream of a future full of heroes. But
how blind we are to the heroes of our
own day and our own time! This is
universal error. "Shall see the plum
met" The perpendicular line with
which he should try the finished work.
He is master builder, under God, the
great Architect. with those seven"
Referring to chapter $50. "They are
the eyes Of the Lord" In contrast
with those who might be despising the
day of small things, the eyes. OF the
Lord were beholding with joy the Work
in the hand of Zerubbabel. The Jews
themselves despised the foundation OF
the second temple because it was likely
to be so far inferior to the first (Ezra
3:12). Their enemies despised the wall
when it was in process of building
(Neh. 2:19; 40, 81. "To and fro" A
beautiful figure. of Gods oversight
over the whole earth.
lila. Three times Zechariah Tvs. 4,
II, 12) asked as to the two olives before
he got an answer; the question be-
comes more minute each time. What
ha at first calls two olive trees" he
afterward calls branches" as on
closer looking he observes that the
branches of the trees are channels
through which q continual flow Of Oil
dropped into. the bowl of the lamps;
and that this is the purpose for which
the two olive trees stand beside the
candlestick. Primarily tie two re-
fer to Joshua and Zerubbabel. Zerub-
babel and Jeshua typitiad Christ as
anointed with the Holy Spirit without
measure, to be King and High Priest
Of the church. and to build, illuminate
and sanctifv the spiritual temple.
Twins at Eighty Celebrate.
Fifty eight years ago Francis P. Nae.
her and his twin sister, now Mrs. Car
oline Stachelroth, came to America
frnm Gprmany They were twenty