The Carlisle independent., 1917-10-18

The remnant which returned had
now become settled In their new homes
AS it would be q considerable time be-
fore the temple could be rebuilt, az
rangement was made for the religious
life as early as possible, as religion
was the very heart of the natfcn's hfe.
They first set up the altar OF the Cod
Of Israel (3:1-3) and offered burnt Of
ferings thereon. They next revived
the annual festivals 6 40 which had
a powerful, unifying influence upon
them.
|. The Appointment of Officers to
Set Forward the Work OF the Lords
House ". s, 81. Overseers were need
ed to direct this great work. Rubbish
needed to be cleared away so the build
ing operations could begin; timber
needed to be cut in the Lebanon forests
and floated down to Joppa; stones
needed to be cut from the quarries: m
teIiigent and consecrated men were
needed to direct this work, as II was
needful that 1t be done with the utmost
expedition. The Lords house demands
the most systematic adjustment of It's
labers. Mere zeal will not make up for
lack of intelligence.
II. The Foundation Of the Temple
Laid 6 1913. This was done arald
great rejoicing. The consciousness that
the Lords house was taking shape,
even though the mere foundations
could be seen, provoked great enfhu-
siasm on the part of the people. Mu-
sicians were appointed to furnish MT
sic while the work was being done. On
der the influence of music men via 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 en the
part 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
people could not discern the enc from
the other.
NJ. The Building Of the Temple De-
Iayed by Opposition. Chapters and
81. For time matters went smoothly
with them, but as soon as the work
had taken such shape as to shsw that
there was some prospect Of success,
the half-heathen Samaritans began to
oppose them. No vital wort Of God
will be allowed to go on without sppo-
sition. Satan resents and bitterly ep-
poses all inroads upon his Kingdom
These Samaritans sought to frustrate
this work of God by:
~ An Alliance With the Jews
az 81. They wanted to bring the work
in harmony with their own religious
practices, as Gods pure worship wouIG
be a constant rebuke to them. This Is
ever the way Of the world, to seek to
effect compromise with Gods chill
dren; but Gods call Is separation.
"Come out from among them" e Cor.
6:14-1S). Nothing so weakens dsd's
cause as worldly alliance and ecmpro-
mise. There is but one answer to be
given to such an offer of compromise.
'sYe have nothing to do with us IN
building a house unto our God" We
are in the world. but not of the world
t2) Weakening the Hands Of the
People a AZ. Doubtless this included
the withdrawal of supplies, the spread
ing of dissension among the workmen,
and the employment of ceunselors
against them.
(S) Letters of Accusation to the Per-
sian King "a e, 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 de-
cree for their return. This wicked OPP
position resulted in the undoing of the
opposers, for search was made and a
copy was found. Darius confirmed this
aid be given from the royal tlxes so
that the house of God might be built.
w. The Temple Completed and Dedi-
Gated &c :14-1S). The Prophets Haggai
and Zachariah now appear, and by
warnings, exortations and entreaties
goes forward to successful compile
ton. Without their aid probably the
work would never have been completed.
Hau1an nature at times needs to be
cheered and urged forward. These
prophets did not themselves work IN
the building of the walls, yet their
work was Of even greater Importance.
II is generally found that this
Is so with the religious leaders today.
The words of cheer and encouragement
Of the Christian minister are seeded
daily for those who labor In the build
ing of the Lords house. Were n not
for them many would give up the strug-
gle. When the building was finished 1t
was dedicated to God with great Joy.
This was possible because they hnl
builded and finished their task accor,i-
ing to the commandment Of the Cod Of