Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-02-12
THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON
Jews of the World Contemplate its Re-
construction.

Jews of the World Contemplate its Re-
| construction.
| There il an ancient triumphal arch
adorninS the Roman Forum which
portrays, with meticulous detail, the
conquering hosts OF Titus, as they bear
on the scvcn-b n-branched candlesticks
and other booty from the Temple nj
Jerusalem. Nearly 1900 years have
passed since the Romans sacked the
Holy City and the conqueror was
given his triumph" along the Appian
the lsrarlitrs OF Jchovah's chosen
people have long ceased TO be; but
the modern Jew in his wailing place
has never forgotten in his prayers the
hoary vow that the stones OF the
Temple shall once more bc set up on
he sacred abode of lsrael's God.
Al last came Il day when il seemed
as though the agc-long prayer had
been heard. The Jews within the
Holy city were gathered together 10
celebrate the rc-dedication Of the
Temple Il ceremony which harks back
10 the days when judah Maccabcc
drove out the Syrian tyrant and
,lcansrd the holy place upon that spot
which is now the site OF the famous
Mospi" OF Omar. No more would the
daughters OF Judah hang their
10 sing the songs Of Zion" For high
on the Tower of Jerusalem tioatcd the
British ilag. and through the gates
came soldiers OF Rome. following a
long line OF British infantry. The
Jews knew that they marched in no
spirit OF triumph or OF conquest: knew
that Jerusalem had again been re-
stored To it's ancient people. and that
the Temple Of Solomon would have
one more successor upon the thrcsh-
ing floor of Araunah. which David
purchased and set aside for that
Holy House" which his son Solomon
was to build.
The Temple OF Solomon was COM
plctcd in the year 966 B. G. one hun
drcd and nifty thousand workmen
were employed in it's construc.
t0n. 1t has been estimated that the
7sScost OF the building was about
-tlsaia y, ---a,thaaSl. -its-taek,
only about five years TO build. Still
Imore surprising is 1t to learn that II
was by no means so large as COM
monty supposed. Upon careful csti-
mates Of the actual dimensions of tn"
Hebrew cubit, il is claimed that the
Temple proper was not much moro
than 100 feet long. 35 feet wide and
- feet high. Today, one is inclined
| to ask where all the money went III
the erection of building Of such pre-.
scrEcd dimensions. \ modern temple
costing six billion dollars could cov.r
a space of ground much larger than
that Of ST. Peters at Rome ana still
leave goodly sinking fund in hand
to run 1t free OF debt forever. With
ont doubt. the new Temple will have
to be spacious building. !or ;he
simple reason that orthodox Jewish
worship is OF the congregational type
land no longer tolerates the ancient
forms of sacrifice or rites in which the
principal performers are an exclusive
order of priests.
But Solomon's Temple was designed
principally rs the abiding place OF
Jehovah. as represented by the Ark.
consequently. although the inclosing
courts. porches and priest.' quarters
covered a large area. the Templ" con-
sisted only Of the porch, approached
10y q flight of steps and leading to
The holy place. or antechamber. which
in its turn. led into the holy Of holics,
or shrine Of the ark. The s..cred
places were entered through large
folding doors Of cypress. The walls Of
both chambers were lined with boards
Of cedar from floor to ceiling Tnc
holy of holies or inner chamber. was
separated from the holy place by
partition wall, in which was set
door of olive wood. In the center OF
the holy Of holies. facing the entrance.
stood two cherubim figures o. olive
wood with outstretched wings and
covered with gold. Among tho furn-
ishngs Of the chambers was tn" altar
OF cedar. which was probably the
table OF Shewbread and which stood
| In front of the entrance to the inner
shrine. The candlesticks or lamp
stands were arranged on each side
OF the entrance. The ark itself. tina,
sacred memorial of early days. had
been removed from the tent ia which
David had housed II and placed within
he holy of holes, so as to he under
the shadow OF the cherubiru wings
The brazen serpent found place
somewhere in the temple. not definitely
known. In the court Of the temple
was the altar OF burnt offerings. on
the site of the earlier altar of David
Between the altar and the entranc? TO
the temple was one of the most strik-
ling Of the creations OF Solomon's phc-
nician artist. the Brazen Sea. huge
circular basin of bronze. with Il ca
pacity of 10000 gallons, and resting
upon the backs OF twelve bronze oxen.
There were also ten smaller LAYERS OF
bronze resting on wheeled carriers or
bases.
The Temple OF Solomon stood for
three and a half centuries. and was
then razed to the ground by the SOL
diers Of Nebuchadnezzar. having first
been stripped of everything Of value
that could be carried away. In the
irrespective rebuilding Of the temple
II is probable that all the old SYM
Ibolic utensils and the structural Tea
lures of the inner temple will be
faithfully copied. But ancient usages
nd many OF the material forms OF
worship have passed away beyond all
return. The real problem for the
jJews will be the right disposal OF the
present Mosque Of Omar. or Dome OF
| -. n..,, =, 4, a ma onfficent ahrine of