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The Taberm1clt Not only was our Lord anointed with the Holy Spirit; but He_ was born of the Spirit of God. He did His mighty works m the power of the Spirit, lived His sinless life, taught !1is profound doctrines, and walked among men, always m the power of His own Holy Spirit. "Through the eternal Spirit" He "offered himself without spot to God" (Heb. 9:14). And He was "declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom. 1:4). o wonder God told Moses to see that the olive oil for the golden can- dlestick was "pure," since it typified our sinless Saviour! And that it was "beaten" out, suggests once more His sufferings as He "offered himself without spot to God." But the same oil which filled the central lamp also filled the six other lamps; and the same Holy Spirit is freely bestowed upon Christ's church. Indeed, we are urged to "be :filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5: 18). On the Day of Pentecost and in the house of Cornelius the early church was baptized with the Spirit of God; then their flickering lamps grew suddenly bright, sending forth a steady flame. At the cross the disciples forsook the Lord, and fled; but after Pentecost they rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41). Dur- ing our Lord's mock trial Peter thrice denied his Lord: but on the Day of Pentecost he boldly stood up in the temple and told the unbelieving Jews that "by wicked hands" they had "crucified and slain" the Lord. What made the difference? The in-dwelling Spirit of God! Peter was a new man. He lived a long life of witnessing through bitter persecution; and was finally crucified for Jesus' sake. (See John 21:18, 19.) When the child of God is :filled with the Spirit, he loses the fear of men, and be- comes bold for Christ, no matter what the cost.
195 The Tabernacle But why are there so many empty pews in our churches today? Why are many churches not winning souls for Christ? Are the wicks in their lamps not dry? There must be the "pure" oil of the Holy Spirit, if a testimony is to be given that will honor the Lord, even as the prophet said many centuries ago, " ot by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zech. 4:6). Oil, of itself, does not shine; it must be lighted by the fire. either does the Holy Spirit "speak of himself," but of the Lord. But when the "light and life of men," even Jesus, enters the heart, through the quickening power of the Spirit and the Word of God, then the lamp begins to burn. The Spirit takes the things of Christ, and shows them unto the redeemed of God. (See John 16:12-15.) If we but let the blessed Third Person of the Holy Trinity take control of these poor, faltering lives, then we shall, indeed, "be filled with the Spirit," letting our lights so shine before men, that they may glorify our Father which is in heaven. "Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, With all Thy quickening powers; Kindle a fiame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of 021,rs." The Trimming of the Lamps
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the hus- bandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:1, 2). "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (i.e., trial): for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown
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