The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-10-19

with praise.-Psalms 1OO:4
The remnant which returned hau
now become settled in their new homes
Az #. would be q considerable time De
fore the temple could be rebuilt, ar
rangement was made for the rellglous
life as early as possible, as religion
was the very heart of the nations HE.
They first set up the altar OF the 0o"
of Israel 1913 and offered burnt Oh
ferings thereon. They next revived
the annual festivals CAD which had
q powerful, unifying influence upon
them.
, !. The Appointment of OFFICERS TO
Set Forward the Work Of the Lords
House ". 8, 81. Overseers were neeu-
ed to direct this great work. Rupplsli
needed to be cleared away so tine puliu-
ing operations could begin; timber
needed to be cut in the Lebanon forests
ord floated down to Joppa; stones
needed to be cut from the quarrles; IN
+elligent and consecrated men were
needed to direct this work, as 1t was
needful that it be done with the utmost
ovnedition. The Lords house demands
the most systematic adjustment OF us
1ohors. Mere zeal will not make up Tor
lack of intelligence.
II. The Foundation Of the Temple
Laid (3:1O-13). This was done amid
great rejoicing. The consciousness that
the Lords house was taking shape'
even though the mere foundations
could be seen, provoked great enthu-
siasm on the part of the people. Mu-
sicians were appointed to furnish mu-
sic while the work was being done. IN
der the influence of music men will do
better work, armies will march and
fight better when bands are playing.
While there was great joy, there was
also. mingled sorrow. This was on the
mart of the elders who had seen the
former temple. The meanness OF the
present temple in comparison with
Solomon's temple caused their praise
to be drowned with their sorrow.
These people belonged to that class
who think that nothing now is so good
as in the former days. SO completely
were these voices commingled that the
neOnle could not discern the one from
the other.
Ill. The Building of the Temple De-
Iayed by Opposition. (Chapters 4 ana
81, For time matters went smoothly
with them, but as soon as the work
had taken such shape as to show that
there was some prospect of success,
the half-heathen Samaritans began to
oppose them. No vital work OF Goa
will be allowed to go on without oppO-
sition. Satan resents and bitterly OPP
eoses all inrOads upon his Kingdom
these Samaritans sought to Illustrate
this work of God by:
(D An Alliance With the Jews
(4:2. 81. They wanted to bring the work
I'm harmony with their own religious
practices, as Gods pure worship would
be a constant rebuke to them. This is
ever the way of the world, to seek TO
effect q compromise with GODS chill
dren: but Gods call is separation
"Come out from among them" e Cor
6:14-1S). Nothing so weakens GODS
cause as worldly alliance and compro'
mise. SThere is but one answer to be
given to such an offer of compromise
aye have nothing to do with us III
building q house unto our God" we
are in the world, but not of the world.
(2) Weakening the Hands of the
People (4:4). Doubtless this included
the withdrawal of supplies, the spread
ing of dissension among the workmen
and the employment Of counselorS
against them.
(3) Letters of Accusation to the Per
sian King a :6, y. So severe was this
opposition that the building was de
layed for term of years. These coun
selors succeeded in creating doubt as
TO whether Cyrus had ever issued a de
cree for their return. This wicked op
position resulted in the undOing of the
opposers, for search was made ana 8
copy was found. Darius confirmed this
by his own decree, and directed thai
aid be given from the royal taxes sc
that the house of God might be built.
~. The Temple Completed and Dedf
Gated (6:14-1S). The Prophets Hagga
end Zachariah now appear, and DN
warnings. exortations and entreade'
stir ND the people so that the worA
goes forward to a successful compile
ton. without their aid probably tht
work would never have been completed
Human nature at times needs TO b'
cheered and urged forward. These
prophets cid not themselves work II
the building of the walls, yet theil
work was of even greater Impotence