Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-20
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

t,nguish between the weepers and the
singers. Both were united in their de-
sire to see the building erected for
the worship of God. Both the old men
who had tried in Palestine and those
who had passed through the Babylonian
exile experiences. realized that the
bulwark OF their safety was Jehovah and
that His protection could only be secured
and retained by true worship. 1t was this
spirit of loyalty that caused them to re-
ject the proffered Samaritan assistance.
Satan can always be counted upon to
start some form Of opposition whenever
Gods people take hold Of 4 work with
earnestness and enthusiasm. The most
successful method used by the adversary
in hindering the progress Of the servants
of the Lord is for him TO offer to assist
them in the work. His help always proves
to be a hindrance. 1t was not bigotry
which caused them to refuse the offer of
the Samaritans. They perceived that the
acceptance Of their assistance would be
followed by the admission OF the nail
pagan Samaritans to have some influence
in the worship of Jehovah. They had
learned the bitter lesson in exile that the
worship Of pagan deities could not DE
combined with the worship OF God They
rejected the Samaritan's gifts because
they did not desire that the temple wor-
ship should be tainted with polytheism
The success of the Jewish people has been
due to their excluSivenesS. Every follower
of Jesus is called upon to exercise spirit
of separation from the world in carrying
out Christ's commands.
The refusal of the Samaritan's assist
ance brought bitter opposition and perse-
cution, which interfered with the build
ing operations. BY false reports and plots
they brought the whole work to a stand
still Everything then appeared to have
gone wrong with the strict constructiontsts
who placed principle above policy. 1t fire.
quently happens in everyday life that the
course dictated by conscientious motives
appears TO be made more difficult by a
faith
One who is true to his convictions may
meet opposition, but only those who are
true to God can enter into His gates
with thanksgiving and into His courts
with praises" One can win His approval
only by avoiding entanglng alliances with
sin. sinners and Satan Heroism is impos-
sible without taking risks One need never
fear the results if the Masters orders
are obeyed in all forms of Christian en-
deavor. The soul that tries TO glorify
God by life of self-denial and sacriticial
ton and receive the words of commenda-
ton and approval of the Lord. The child
of the king should not fear tomorrow. but
always try to do the next thing.
The tide of opposition will not always
try the patience of the sincere servant
of God. The hour will come when he
will look back and see value in his
difficulties. While for time the build
yet an unexpected turn In the affairs
of the central government between the
death of Cyrus and the realms reorgan-
ization under Darius made possible the
resumption Of the activities. Haggai
and Zechariah took advantage of the
conditions and succeeded in arousing
the Hebrews. who had grown cold or
Indifferent, to complete the temple. The
vigor with which the renewed the
work aroused the Samaritans. who filed
a protest with Darius. He found the
old edict of Cyrus and decided that the
Jews ought to be permitted to complete
~tA ,trtr =, 1J
assistance. SO that the building was
completed without the help Of the Sa-
maritans and in spite of their hos
tility.
God honors the men who throw their
lives into service. just as the nation
will honor the men of the Army and
Navy for their heroic acts. The men of
faith retoiced when the day OF dedica-
ton arrived 1t was a solemn occa-
sion that called for an impressive cere-
mony. which would interpret and point
out the mission of the temple. The
ded!catory hymn was without doubt
the same as the one that was sung
when the glory of the Lord filed the
first house. In true sense. as Lin
coin pointed out at Gettysburg Eve
cannot dedicate" by any formal cere-
mony. In this hour each individual
soul needs to dedicate himself upon
the altar of freedom for the glory of
God. The hour calls for the consecra-
ton of life. love and labor. as well as
the conservation of food. funds and
forces to make the war against war
success.
In the building Of the temple of God
not made with hands that will be
eternal all have an onportuntty to have
a part by the dedication of them
selves to the service Of God. Across the
sea there are nations awaiting to be
reclaimed for God. there are farms that
have been conse crated by the blood of
millions that must again be titled,
there are ruined communities and cities
that must be rebuilt, there are cathe-
d"@ls that must he restored. but the
greatest work ever given to a nation
VIII fail unless we are. as 4 people,
united in our love and devotion to the
Lord 1t was the individuals who had
suffered for their faith who rebuilt and
dedicated the temnle to God May
America and the other nations of the
earth through their sufferings be able
10 rebuild and dedicate a restored
temple of faith to the Lord for His
service. so as to preserve freedom and
democracy forever among men of all
nations in the bonds of peace.