Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-07
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|M bible. STUDIES.
E.STUDIES'
HEzEkiAH,S GREAT REFORM.
u Chronicles 3o--June II.

Man looketh on the outward APP
pearance, but the Lord looketh on the
heart Samuel 1857.
King Hezekiai of Judah las Won
derful record as man of God, re-
former, a patriot, yet he was the son
of a bad father who in turn was the
sen of a good father, WHO in turn was
the son of a bad father. The alterna
ton between good and bad for four
generations illustrates the fact that
although heredity has much to Go with
every member of our race. neverthe-
less, there are counter balances in ma
ture.
We are all members OF Adams fam
lily, and as such We are all sharers
in the general weakness, mental, NOR
al and physical which for six thou
sand years has descended upon us.
S.. Paul refers to this, saying. by
one, mans disobedience sin entered
into the world, and death as the re-
suit OF sin; and thus death passed upon
all men, because all are sinners-Ro-
mans BIZ.
The downward or sinful tendency i'll
bred in our very constitution is so
strong that none is able fully to over
| come it. The best that any of us can
do is TO set our wills in opposition to
our inherited weaknesses and to fight
courageously against them. The Apes
tie assures us that if it were possible
for humanity to fully gain such viel
| tory over its fallen self as to bring
itself back to perfection, then doubt
less God would have provided that way
of salvation.
| But that way being impossible. God
provided another method. for our re-
1 turn to him-through the merit of
| Christs death, the Just for the uu-
just" and through Messah's assist
ance. This assistance. in the present
time, is confined to those who voldntur-
lily seek it. They receive the blessing
of Ieace and joy in the present life and
later glory, honor and immortality
with Messiah in His Kingdom.
| The King although only twenty
| five years old at this time, had
broad mind-the result of his whole
hearted conservation of himself TO the
Lord and the Lords possibly
| through the Prophet Isaiah.
Hezekiah the Reformer.
The Kings Father had introduced
itolatrous notwithstanding affairs
and groves TO the worship of Baal.
Gods temple was strewn with rub
bish Under the direction of the King,
the Ievites began a cleansing work.
1t required eight days to carry out tho
rubbish from the court. etc. Then the
priests, who alone were authorized to
enter into the Holy. or temple proper.
were directed to cleanse the temple
itself.
| But as a preliminary work. before
| the cleansing of the court or the tenn
! pie began. the King directed that the
PRIESTS and the Leyites sanctify them
selves afresh to the Lord and His Sell
vice. How appropriate, How in bar
mony with the words of the Prophet
| Isaiah, who lived at that time and
VINO was the Kings counselor-"Be ye
clean. that bear the vessels of tlie
Lords house,"-Isa. 52;11.
| 1t is an important thought that no
enc is properly ready to render SER
vice to God in any form or work UNI
| til he himself has come to a sancti-
fed condition of heart in relationship
| to the Lord.
Applying this feature to reforms OF
ministers of Christ taking a promi-
| nent part in respect to all religious
reforms. In proportion as such have
| influence with the people. good may
| be accomplished.
| But let us not forget the instruc-
| ton of St. Peter upon this subject.
| Comparing the priesthood of Israel
with the institutions of the Christian
church, st. Peter gives us the thought
that the priests of olden times do not
| find their antitypes in the clergy OF
today, but in Gods sanity or sancti-
| fled people. whether in or out of the
public ministry. And the antitypicai
| Levites of today are in general the
household of faith.
| Thus st. Peter says to all OF the
consecrated Church of Christ. ''Ye are
q Royal Priesthood. a Holy Nation,
peculiar people. that We should show
forth the praises of him who has
called you out OF darkness into his
marvellous light"
| The great King commands his con-
secrated people to purify the temple
| of God, which is the Church, from
all filthiness Of the flesh and spirit.
perfecting holiness in the reverence of
the Lord. e. Cor. 7;l.) In proper
ton as this is done. a blessed infiu-
enee will go forth from the temple
of God. the true Church. far reaching
upon all those who love righteous
and hate iniquity.
The Divine Blessing.
| The conclusion of the feast was a
Divine. blessing, upon all the people.
through the Priests and Levites. So
there goes out. a. Divine blessing from
the Lords sanctified people-from all
| the consecrated of the household of
faitii--to the people in generai-to
their neighbors, their friends and WIS.,
itors from affair." Let such be eur in
| fluence amongst men. In this connec-
| ton let US remember the power of the
tongue, of which the Apostle said.
'frlerewitll praise We God. and there
with curse Tor injure) we men" Let
our tongues and all our powers be
used in blessing the people as well as
| in praising our God.
The King wisely began his reforma-
Ition at tile tpmrla and poyf tho ,,rie Of {