The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1917-10-18
LESSON FOR OCTOBER q

LESSON FOR OCTOBER 81
THE TEMPLE REBUILT AND oEpI.
GATED.
LESSON TExT-Esra 3:s-l3: sil-l1.
GOLDEN TEXT-Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving. and into his courts
with praisc.-Psalms 10o:A.
The remnant which returned had
now become settled In their new homes
Az It would be q considerable time be-
fore the temple could be rebuilt. ar
rangement was made for the religious
life a. early a. possible. a. religion
was the very heart of the nations life.
They first set up the altar Of the God
Of Israel (3:1-S) and offered burnt Of
ferings thereon. They next revived
the annual festivals (S:4-7) which had
q powerful, unifying influence upon
them.
I. The Appointment Of Officers .
Get Forward the Work Of the lord's
HOUSE ". 6, 81. Overseers were need
ed to direct this great work. Rubbish
uCtuCu " uc away IN kAo ouhu-
ing operations could begin; timber
needed to be cut in the Lebanon forests
and hoated down to Joppa: stones
needed to be cut from the quarrics; in
telligent and consecrated men were
needed to direct this work. ~ It was
needful that It be done with the utmost
expedition. The Lords house demands
No a 81, <Hpo
labors. Mere zeal will not make up for
lack Of intelligence.
u. The Foundation o. the Temple
Laid ts:10-13). This was done amid
great rejoicing. The consciousness that
the Lords house was taking shape.
even though the nero foundations
could be seen. provoked great enthu-
siasm on the part Of the people. Mu-
siclans were appointed to furnish mu.
sic while the work was being done. On.
der the influence Of music men will do
better work. armies will march and
nght better when bands are playing.
While there was great Joy. there was
also. mingled sorrow. This was on the
part Of the elders who had seen tho
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 In % good
a. In the former days. 80 completely
were these voices comminRled that the
people could not discern the one from
the other.
~. The 0ullding Of the Temple %.
Iaysd BY oppesitien. Chapters 4 and
b.. For time matters went smoothly
with them. but a. soon - the work
had taken such shape % to show that
there was some prospect Of success.
the half.heathen samaritans began to
oppose them. No vital work Of God
will be allowed to 20 on without oppo-
sitiOn. Satan resents and bitterly op-
poses all inroads upon his kingdom.
These Samaritans sought to frustrate
this work oe God by:
(4:2. -. They wanted TO bring the work
In harmony with thelr own religions
practices. a. Gods pure worship would
be constant rcbuke to them. This II
ever the way Of the world. to seek to
effect q compromise with Gods chill.
dren: but Gods call 10 separation.
''Come out from among them" q Or.
0:14-ls). Nothing NO wsakens Gods
cause ~ worldly alliance and compro.
mise. There In but ono answer to b.
given to such an offer Of compromise.
"Ye have nothing to do with % In
building house unto our God" We
are In the world. hut not Of tho world.
(2) Weakening the Hands Of the
People $50. Doubtless this Included
the withdrawal Of supplies. tho spread.
Ing Of dissensiOn among the workmso,
and the employment Of counseloss
against them.
(Sl Letters Of Accusation to the Per-
sian King (4:8. ~. 80 severe was this
opposition that the building was de-
layed for term Of years. These coun-
SelorH succeeded In creating doubt o.
to whether Cyrus had ever Issued de-
cree for their return. This wicked op-
position resulted In the und0ing Of the
0pp0sers. for search was made and Q
copy WAS found. Darius confirmed this
by his own decree. and directed that
aid be given from the royal taxes 10
that the house Of God might bs built.
~. Tire Temple cempisssd and osdi.
eatsd (0:l4.ls). The Prophets Ha9gai
and Zachahah now appear. and by
warnings. cxOrtntiOns and entreaties
al R 49, A..