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T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S under the stimulus of his encourage ment they returned to the task and finished the work which they had be gun. The Samaritans would have joined with the Jews in this work but their help was refused on the ground that they were not the true worshippers of Jehovah. There is a lesson in this for present-day application in these times of union efforts and federations. Whose help shall we receive in building the walls of Zion? The proffered aid of some is a greater hindrance than help. We cannot afford to be indifferent about a matter that is o f such import ance to God. The temple had better remain unbuilt than to have its walls arise through Samaritan and heathen hands. MONDAY, July 81. Ezra 6:14-22. The Temple Finished and Dedicated. The apparently impossible was at last accomplished. From the mention of the different classes of persons it would seem that all the people were united in its dedication. Somewhat as the temple of Solomon had been dedicated, this new edifice was given over to God with impressive formality and abounding joy. Priests and Levites offered sacrifices for all the tribes ac cording to the Mosaic requirement. The ceremony lasted seven days. Such a great religious festival with its jubil ant Psalms seemed a fitting close to the twenty years of transition since the first exiles started back to the home land. There had been many interrup tions and frequent anxieties and alarms, but now, under the blessing and pro tecting care of Jehovah, all was happily ended. The new-born nation entered upon another stage of its- career under the Divine favor. CHEERFUL BEGGARS Some one came to Mr. Hutchinson "on change” in Chicago for a subscrip tion to charity. He wrote his check for a larger amount than was expected. “ Oh,” cried the young missionary, her face shining, “ the Lord loveth a cheerful giver!” “ I don’t know much about that,” said he whom they lightly called “ Old Hutch,” “ but I am sure He loves a cheerful beggar.” ■Ask great things for the great Christ.
afterward Ezra with a comparatively small company, made the journey in four months. This journey must have taken a much longer time, encumbered as they were, with families, live stock and baggage. When at length they reached their destination, what a scene of desolation must have greeted their eyes! Ruins on every hand, charred embers of cedar palaces, broken-down walls of crumbling masonry all over grown with weeds and underbrush! Sin always spells ruin and disaster. On account of their sin at heathen altars had come heathen invasion, slaughter and deportation. A new era was about to dawn. They builded again the altars of the God of Israel and offered upon them the offerings and sacrifices that were the expression of loyalty, obedience and devotion. SATURDAY, July 29. Ezra 8:8-13. Rebuilding the Temple. The foundation of the temple was laid with most impressive ceremonies. It marked an epoch in the history of the chosen people, pointing back to a glori ous past and forward to a bright and hopeful future. Some of the old peo ple present remembered the former tem ple and when they saw how small and inferior the new one was in comparison, they wept. There was also ground for sorrow over what was lacking. There was no ark of the covenant, no heavenly manna, no Aaron’s rod nor Divine Sheki- nah. Nevertheless, the glory of the lat ter house should far exceed the glory of the former, Hag. 2:9, because in due time it should receive within its walls the long-promised and glorious Mes siah, the hope of Israel and the Saviour of the world. The true glory of a tem ple is not in. stately architecture and rich adornment, but in its moral and spiritual associations. The Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands. His preferred dwelling place is the lowly and the contrite heart. Is. 57:15. SUNDAY, July 30. Haggai 1:1-6. Temple Building Encouraged. After a while the enthusiasm of the people cooled. There was so much to be done and progress was so slow. They became more interested in building houses for themselves and in bringing the long-fallow land once more under cultivation, , than in completing the house of God. The prophet Haggai re buked I them and exhorted them until
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