Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-10-26
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER 20.

Subject: Power Through Gods Spirit,
Zech. iv., 1-1O-Golden Text, Zech. w.,
0-NIemory Verses, 8. 8.1O-Commentary
on the Days Lesson.
l. Zechariah's vision Tvs. 1-5. l.
"The angel" The same angel who
had shown Zechariah his other visions
'came again. "Waked me-" The
prophet had slept after the first series
of visions, and he is now aroused to be
instructed further. .. Behold can
dlestick." This was no doubt similar
to the seven-branched candlestick of
Solomon's temple. although the howl.
the pipes and the two olive trees We're
peculiar to this vision. The candle
stick was, 1. A type Of the Jewish ma
tion, Gods chosen people to shed light
to the Gentiles. If they were willing
to carry out Gods purpose they could
not fail. Q. A type of the Christian
church Qtev. 100. O Its purpose
was to give light. (2) Its material
was precious and costly showing the
preciousness of the church. (3l Its
seven lamps In one denote the unity or
Gods people (N There was a con-
stant supply of oil so the Holy Spirit
supplies the church with the grace of
God 90 The candleSticli was not
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 doctrin" and practice
and indcstructible--thr true ideal of
the church. "A bowl The fountain
% oil 10, la -
the emblem of Christ, thl loush Whom
the Spirit is given. 'Scven lamps.
There was only one lamp stand, de-
noting the unity of GOd's people. but
it had various branches and lamps.
Gcnoting their multiplicity in unity,
and the number was seven. III" Symhol
of their completeness. Seven pipes.
See Il. V. Each lamp lad seven pipes
connected with the bowl.
>. "rwo olive trees" The oil us''-
ally burned in the lamps was olive OIL,
pressed from the fruit Of IN" Oily"
tree. The olive trees, one on each S'r
of the lamp stand express the source
of supply. The bowl OF oil would soon
be exhausted unless 4 continual supply
flowed into it. The trc"S represent IN
incxhaustihle fountain connected with
the very nature Of the Creator. I'll"
supply Of power does not come through
human mniStratiouS. bat directly fr"m
God. I. What are these" Even i'll
Spired men do not always understand
divine teachings. 1t is sometimes wise
to ask questions. >. NO, my lord.
If we would receive instruction we
must be ready to acknowledge our ig-
norancr.
II. The interpretation Tvs GiN. &.
Word Unto Xeruhbahrl." This vi'.
ion was to inspire the p'op'" WITH con
tidcncc in their lenders as dNin"y SU'-
tanned. and the leaders with confidence
in their divine appointment to thn
work. and to lead all TO tho true Sourr"
of strength and success. "Not by
might" OF thy own Not by their ~
mics. for they had n"n", "Nor iy
power" Authority from others. "H1t
by My spirit Ti@ providence. aH-
thority, power ana energy Of the Most
High. No secular arm, no human pru-
dence. no earthly policy. no suits 1T
law. Shall ever be used for Tie found-
ing. extension and preservation Of My
church.
:. 20 great mountain" ThiS was
inquire SNSStStllS tit ~ cav N''N w ~
accomplished and the many difficulties
in tho way. The opposition from his
enemies and the lack of 2nal among
his own people had tended to diSc"ur-
are Xcrubbahel "BccOm" Il pain
Be wholly removed. At that very time
God was influencing Darius 10 refuse
the desires of the SamaritanS and give
his favor to Jerusalem ezra %.
"HeadStone." AS he had laid the foun-
dation stone. 50 shall he PIT; up the
headstone: rs he has begun tie build
ing. so shall he finish it. with shout
ingS." Joyful acclamations.
9. "Shall also tniSh.' An encour-
aging assurance to the prince OF Juunh.
10. "Day of small things" Zernbha-
bel belonged to the day Of small things.
He did not appear like Solomon in all
his glory, but more like Il common man
than a great ruler He seemed infer
ior to the governor of SamariA. ana
was subject to the King of Persia.
We people the past with heroes. We
dream of 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 80. "They are
the ewes of the lord" In contrast
with those who might be despising the
,lay of small things the eyes OF the
Lord were behoding with joy the work
IN the hand of Zerubbabel. The Jews
themselves deSpised the Foundation or
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 Xcchariah Tvs. 4,
II, 12l asked as to the two olives before
he got an answer; the question be-
comes more minute each time. What
he at first calls two olive "trees' he
aftcrward calls "branches," as on
closer looking he observes that the
branches of the trees are channels
through which continual flow of Oil
dropped into the bowl of the lamps;
and that this is the purpose FOR Wh,ch
the two olive trees stand beside the
candlestick. Primarily the two re-
fer to Joshua and Zerubbabel. Nerup-
babel and Jeshua typified Christ as
anointed with the Holy Spirit without
measure, to be King and High Priest
of the church, and to build, illuminate
and sanctify the spiritual temple.
Look About You.
It is wonderful how much one can
learn by cultvating the habit of OBJ
servation AS you walk in the street
or ride in the car you pick up a sur.
prising amount of information, Our