The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-29
(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIs.)

(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)
More excitement was caused in that
region of romance, the Near East, with
its succession of treasure troves, buried
cities, forgotten races, lost languages,
hidden gold and precious stones, by
the recent British expedition that was
digging in and about Jerusalem than
by anything else in the city's archaic
illogical history. This strange expedi-
ton, about which all sorts of rumors
were rife, and little exact information
was known, was said to be digging for
the treasures of David.
.s According to the story a cryptic
gram in an old manuscript copy of the
works of Josephus, gave these adven-
turers their clue. L saw their work
men busily excavating, carefully
guarded the while. When 1 attem pied
to approach their workings, a guard
warned me off. The expedition col
sheikh of the Mosque of Omar, and
other Turkish officials, had been
bribed to permit digging in the temple
area. Since that time the sheikh and
his subordinates have been imprisoned
and the British adventures have fled
the country.
j. These men were seeking, in the
mysterious and UNEMPLOYED labyrinths
beneath the sacred precincts of the
temple of Solomon, for the hidden
treasures of David, including the Ark
of the Covenant. They were said to
believe that the Ark could be found.
Whether there be a shred of truth
in that or not, the possibility staggers
the imagination. What a sensation
would be created in the world, and
what a fundamental revision of reli-
gious scholarship, if there could be
brought forth for devout eyes to eX-
anime, the ancient sacred symbol of
the presence of Jehovah with Israel.
A Nations Palladium.
School children are familiar with
the Palladium of Roman liberties,
which is now said to be concealed I'M
der the ancient column that is called
1.-The Burnt Pillar in Constantinople.
More precious by far than Rome's Pal
ladium was the Ark of the Covenant;
and two feet high, covered within and
without with gold, and carefully built
of acacia wood, according to the di-
rectionS of Moses.
Above its golden lid were wrought
two golden cherubim, and over these
famed the Shekinah, the symbol of
the presence of the Most High. Inside
the Ark were the Tables of the Law
given to Moses on the Mount, a pot of
mamma, and Aaron's rod that budded.
The top of the Ark was called 1.-The
mercy seat and it's sym boliSm of the
awful and invisible presence of the
Supreme Being has been inwrought
into religious literature and hymnody
This was the Ark that went before
the Israelites in their journeys, and
became the center of their worship
the waters of the Jordan while the
people crossed into Canaan. Tt was
carried about the crumbling walls of
Jericho. 1t was the symbol that ter
rified and conquered the Israelites' en-
emies. When tabernacle was supplant-
ed by temple, the Ark found it's place
in the Holy of Holes.
All trace of the Ark seems to have
been lost since the time of Nebuchad-
nezzar. 1t was not in the temples of
Zerubbabel and Herod. There is no
evidence that Nebuchadnezzar carried
it off, and quite certainly it was not
among the spoil that Titus carried
from Jerusalem to Rome. Had this
object of supreme veneration and val
ue been among the loot of any
of Jerusalems conquerers, it surely
would have been noted.
There are many who believe that |
the Ark was hidden securely by the |
priests at the time of the captivity |
and that it awaits a day of discovery |
Our own time, which has seen the de- |
ciphering of the cuneiform and the |
hieroglyphics; which has rediscovered |
the Hittites and many buried cities; |
which has witnessed amazing confir- /
nations of the truth of the inspired |
history, may also be favored by the |
finding of this overwhelming evidence
of the veracity of the ancient Scrip
lures.
The Untouchab1e Treasure.
This Ark, which Is the theme for
IOQayS international sunday school |
lesson, had at the time of David long
been in a private house. 1t had first
been cared for in the tabernacle at
Gilgal and Shiloh; but after the i'm
pious sons of Samuel had carried it
forth to battle against the Philistines
it had had a varied experience. The
Philistines had captured it for seven
months, but even their idols fell down
broken in its presence and a blight
came upon all who possessed it. They
returned it to kirjath-Jearim, and
blessing abode in the home of Abini-
dab, it's caretaker.
Some time after David had estab-
1ished his capital at Jerusalem he
tabernacle. The occasion was made a
great festival, a religious revival. 1t
was put upon new cart and two de-
scendants of Abinadab, Uzzah and
Ahio, led it on its journey up to the
capital. 1t started in a, formal and
royal procession.
Once, when the Ark tottered on the
cart, Uzzah stretched forward his hand
his irreverence. The incident is IA
miliarly used as an illustration of the
Importance of reverence in the econ
orny of Gods dealings with His people
The hottest things may not be lightly
touched. THE sin of Uzzah' is a
pregnant theme for discussion in pres
ent-day Bible classes.
When the King Sang and Danced.
A great national celebration was
held as the Ark was borne up to
Jerusalem where new tabernacle
had been prepared for the sacred
symbol. The procession was as elab-
crate in ceremonial as possible The
priests in gorgeous array accompan-
led the Ark. In an excess of religious
and patriotic fervor, the multitudes
thronged about the leaders. The sig
nificance of the hour seemed to be
glimpsed by all. As David's entrance