Evening star., 1905-10-28
for SUNDAY Scboob.
STAR LESSON FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER ae, 1905.
By Rev. ]. E. Gilbert DID,,
POWER THROUGH GODS SPIRIT. zeeh ,,.i.1o.
SECRETARY AMERICAN SOCIETY OF RELdGI Gus Il

the people ezra. n:2). Seeing then that
| such success was certain. the angel who
spoke to Zechariah addressed a word OF re-
proof to the faint-hearted. to those who
had looked with discouragement upon tho
struggles of the years since the people re-
| turned from Babylon Those were days
| OF small things not to be despised. The Jews
themselves. and especially their enemies.
who had frustrated and hindered them.
must not think these feeble efforts were all
foi haught The eyes of the Lord. which
run TO and fro through all the earth. beheld
TINS WORK He knew what had been dono
ana with what motives, and he would bring
ali things to pass in his own time.
THE QUESTIONS Oversees 1i-i2).-The
prophet appears TO have grasped the mean
Ing OF the vision only IN part. He knew
what the candestfck represented and he
mad heard the message concerning the gov
ernor and his success In building the tenn
pie, but he was stii ignorant of the mean
Ing OF the two olive trees and OF the
golden pipes that empty the oil and he
asked the angel to explain. This inquiring
spirit Is highly commendable II has been
well said that partial knowledge is only
disturbed ignorance. 1t frequently occurs
that people. having gained a limited view
OF subject, fall into most serious error,
resulting In damage to themselves and TO
Others. While Ii is true that in this life all
knowledge must be imperfect q Cor. xxiI;
ID, 1t should ever be remembered that in
vestigation 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 diminishes his power
| for good.
THE DISCLOSURE oversees 1s-1n.-
Hechariahs inquiry was promptly reward
ed, The angel gave him information OF
great importance. The two olive trees tho
two olive branches and the two golden
pipes were emblems of the true anointef
ones that stand by the Lord There has
been some discussion among scholars. but
the general opinion is that these two
anointed ones were Zerubbahel and Joshua
| the governor and the high priest They
represented the civil and the religions now
ers. though whom God comes TO men as
the Oil flowed through the branches and
the pipes to the candlestick Here is plain
iy taught that the state and the church are
channels through which divine Influences
proceed for the good of men. This truth
IS expressed in many passages Of Scripture
See the words OF Jesus as to the church
lMatt. xviIS and of Paul as to the state
(Rom xlif:D. 1t was OF utmost lmpor-
tance to make this disclosure at this time
70 Hechariah to exalt his idea of both in
stitutions.
REFLECTIONS.-The order of Divine
Providence is often obscured MANY men
stand at the door OF great opportunities
ialilng TO advance because of untoward cir
cumstances. In ancient times God was
pIeased by special message to make known
his VIII, speaking by men upon whom His
spirit was laid III Peter i:2D Now no
directs US to the record of earlier revelations
winch are now reliable UI Peter i:l9). and
plus US STUDY 10 Know what Is right and
pest. Or one thing all may be assured He
Will accomplish His purpose, overcoming
obstacles and bringing to pass even what at
times may be contrary to human foresight
best. OF one thing all may be assured-He
ordinarily employs political and ecclesiasti-
cal FORCES, both Of which are the appointed
agencies or channels of His grace, and they
should ever be so regarded. Sad day when
men forget that the spirit OF God Is the
efficient power. Sad day when church or
state becomes so corrupt as no longer to be
the medium of divine influence in the world,