Arizona republican., 1920-09-04

drals in Europe brought to our atten-
ton some of the wonderful work IN
these places of worship. We have
few modern churches in this country
costing as much as a million and we
viii no doubt build more deliberately
in the immediate future. but we have
nothing and Europe has nothing in
church buildings to compare with
Solomon's temple. 1t will be in a class
by itself for all time to come.
One writer says that all the other
glorious achievements of Solomon's
reign are eciipsed by this one of build
ing the temple. II is still a wonder of
history. IL had ample courts lofty
columns curiously wrought with liIy
work and pomegrantes in brass floor
of cyprus. walls of stone faced with
sandalwood and cedar, car ed with
cherubim, palm trees and flowers. all
overlaid with gold
David had make ample preparation
for the building OF the temple but Je-
hovah decided that a man of war and
a king with bloody hands must not
desecrate the temple. It was begun in
the fourth year of Solomons reign and
required seven and one half years 10
build. IL was dedicated in the seventh
month of the twelfth years of Solo
mons reign. E. C. 1911 or Assyrian cal
endar p. G. $50
No better description OF the temple
can be found than that in the chapters
of the Old Testament. Architects OF
all ages have gone TO these chapters
for information and inspiration.
Various amounts have been ascribed
as the cost of the temple in modern
money but they may not be very ac-
curate especially when based upon the
constantly decreasing value of the
dollar,
We know that one hundred and
4
men had toiled in the forests OF Lee
banon and in the subterraneRn quaries
10 prepare the material that was TO
go INTO this slittering pile of while
marble and FURNISHED gold.
The rugged stony top of Mount Mo-
riah was cut down TO make a rock
Foundation for this temple which would
have been standing today but for the
bitter determination OF the enemies 10
destroy every sector OF the original
building.
The meager dimensions of the tenn
pie proper may surprise one at first
thought Ninety feet iong. 80 feet wide
sered that there were also rooms and
galleries added To te temple proper and
II was not planed for large congrega-
lions. 1t was open continuously and
it was for worship rather than for
formal religious services.
altar, the brazen sea. the golden candle
stick. the table of shewbread. the altar
Of incense, the cherubim and the elab-
crate decorations described in the
chapters.
As the temple has never had an
equal so the dedication ceremony was
on an elaborate scale.
one part Of the ceremony was tho
bringing the ark OF the covenant of
the Lord out of the city of David and
into the temple, it's permanent resting
place
The following Is the program on the
day Of dedication l, Sentences pro-
and blesses the people. 3. Address BY
soomol, I. Dedicatory prayer by
Solomon. s. Psalm 1872 by the choir
and orchestra. g. Response by the
people T. Solomons closing address.
The music for the occasion was the
best that could be found in the entire
nation. White robed singers and mu-
sicians: 40 trumpets all of silver.
harps. cymbals and psaiteries.
Solomon put the best there was to
be had into the church.
He provided the best service pos
sible.
The service was very religious and
spiritual.
The building was on the highest
ground where all could see it.
There seemed to be no difficulty in
getting plenty of money to pay the
bills without a special collection.
All helped build the temple and all
took part in the dedication.
The church should be the best build
ing in the community.
1t should show forth the glory of
God
The church must have a solid foun-
dation-Jesus Christ.
The church should minister to the
needs OF all the people.
The church is a place for worship
and religious education.
--O-