similar work is to be done, who shirk their duty, or at least do it only when they are driven to it by the pressure of outward circumstances. But the Lord's work goes on, and those only suffer damage who do not freely and willingly contribute to it. Brought bracelets. The word here rendered bracelets, means hooks or clasps, which were used by females for fastening their garments. Ear-rings. The word translated earrings, primarily denotes nose-rings Oriental ladies wear rings in their noses as well as in their ears. Eliezer, at the well of Haran, presented Rebekah nose-ring, in order to win her as a bride for his master's son (Gen. xxiv. 47). The same word, however, is used also for ear-rings; and here probably it includes both kinds. Rings. Seal or signetrings, which were worn upon the right hand. Tablets. These were drops or beads in a string worn around the neck or arm. All jewels of gold, i. e. all the articles mentioned were of gold. It is not often that people sacrifice their jewels to the service of God now. When was it ever heard that a lady sold her jewelry in order to help build a church? Many professed Christians, indeed, spend the Lord's money for useless ornaments. They have nothing for missions and nothing for the poor, but plenty of money for jewelry and fine dress. How is that in the sight of God? Blue and purple, and scarlet (crimson). The names of the colors are used for the materials dyed with them. Mystical interpretations of these colors have been given, but no such interpretations can be of much value. Fine linen and goats' hair. These were spun and woven into curtains for cover-ments of the high priest, worn over the ings of the tabernacle. Red skins of tunic, without sleeves, consisting of rams, i. e. rams' skins dyed red, and two parts, front and back, which were badgers' (rather seals') skins. These coupled together over the shoulders by formed the outer coverings of the taber- means of two precious stones, on which nacle. Silver and brass. Various parts were inscribed the names of the twelve of the tabernacle, and many of the tribes of Israel. The breast-plate. A utensils belonging thereto, were made golden plate, set with twelve precious of these metals. Shittim wood. The stones, on which were engraved the wood here intended was a species of names of the tribes. The breast-plate acacia, which is very hard and light, was fastened to the ephod and carried resembling ebony when old, and was over the breast of the high priest. well adapted for such a structure as the tabernacle. VERSE 29-The children of Israel brought a willing offering. This verse is a recapitulation of the statements contained in the preceding verses in re number; of which three, namely, gold, silver and copper, were from the mineral; two, namely, linen and wood, from the vegetable, and three, namely, goats' hair, rams' skins and seals' skins from the animal kingdom. The colors employed were four, namely, white, blue, purple and crimson. VERS. 25-26.-The women that were wise-hearted did spin, etc. The spinning in those ancient times was done with the distaff or twirling pin, and was a simple operation, though admitting of different degrees of skill. All intelliagent and respectable females then were able to spin; and the degree of their skill in this art determined their social position. In modern times the sentiment prevails widely that what makes a lady, is not ability to do household work, to sew, to wash, to bake, to cook, but simply skill in handling the piano and in arranging her toilet. These accomplishments are well, but the other ought not to be neglected. It was a very noble thing for the women to be engaged, with the men, in the work of building the tabernacle; and so it is a noble thing for the ladies now to labor for the success of the church. Ladies who take no interest in church work, lack one of the essential qualities of a true lady, namely, Christian piety. What is to be said of those who are so occupied with the claims of fashion as to have no time for such work? The materials used in the construction of the tabernacle were eight in VERS. 27-28.-The rulers, i. e. chiefs of the tribes, who were wealthier than ordinary men. Onyx stones. Gems whose color resembles that of the human nail. Stones to be set, i. e. precious stones. The ephod. One of the gar gard to the liberal contributions made towards the erection of the tabernacle. From Exod. xxxvi. 5–7 we learn that the offerings even far exceeded the demands, so that they had to be stopped by a formal proclamation of Moses. That is not now the case when a church is to be built. Here the rule is that there remains a debt, which is to be provided for by an extraordinary effort, and by the expenditure of much profane wit on the day of dedication. Why should not Christian people, enjoying far greater privileges, be at least as liberal in their contributions to the Lord's house as the children of Israel were in the wilderness? The amount of gold consumed in the building of the tabernacle, according to Exod. xxxviii. 24, was about $730,000, that of the silver $150,000. Altogether the tabernacle must have cost the Israelites in material and labor over a million of dollars. The master builders were Bezaleel, of the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab, of the tribe of Dan. These had been especially raised up and endowed with peculiar talent and skill for this work. (Exod. xxxi. 1-5). All natural talent, and all aptitude and skill for any form of art, come from the Lord, and cannot be better employed than when they are employed in His service. It is the chief end of our life to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Hence to the glory of God ought we to consecrate all our property, all our talents, and all our skill. Safe Little Effie. She came bounding down the steps, all ready for school. "Come across," ,"called her little friend, Johnnie Bates. "I'll wait for you." Right in front of her were two prancing horses. "I can't come across the street," said Effie, "till the horses pass." "Ó, pooh!" said Johnnie, "clip across. You'll have time: the horses are standing still. They don't mean to go on yet. 'Fore I'd be such a coward!" Down sat Effie plump on the stone step. "I can't come across till the horses go by, not if they don't go in a week," she said. "My mamma said never to cross the street alone if there is a horse to be seen; and I am not going to." Just then the horses, that a man was trying to manage, became frightened at a kite that some boys were playing with, and broke from him. Away they went, right over the very crossing that Effie would have taken! Effie's mamma ran to the door, pale and trembling. She had seen those dreadful horses fly by! "O my darling," she said, putting her arms around Effie, "What danger you have been in!" "Why, mamma!" Effie said, looking up at her mother with her eyes full of wonder, "I don't think I was in a speck of danger. You told me not to cross the street when I saw horses, and of course I wouldn't. So how could they hurt me?"-Leafy Fern. "This is Why I Know it." "How is your father getting on now?" I said to a little daughter of a man formerly a drunkard, but whom, some months ago, I had persuaded to sign the pledge. "He is getting along very well," was her reply; "Has he kept his pledge?" "O, yes," she joyfully replied. "Are you sure he has ?" "Yes, sir, I am quite sure." "How is it you are so positive on this point?" I asked. "Why," said she, and her face was radiant with joy, "he never abuses mother any more; we have always plenty to eat, and he never takes my shoes off to pawn them for the drink now. This is why I know it, sir." THE Christian is ever bound to follow where God leads; but if God leads, He makes a way; and it is generally a fleshcrossing way, a creature-humbling way: just the opposite of what the carnal mind expected. NEVER expect solid happiness while you indulge in any sin: comfort in sin is a delusion of Satan. OCTOBER 9. 1881. Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity. Ser du. 14; 1-1. KEY-NOTE: "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." :4 LESSON XL1/1-6.21 The Tabernacle.-Exod. xl. 1-16. 1. And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, 2. On the first day of the first month thou shalt set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle. 6. And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 7. And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein. 8. And thou shalt set up the court round 'about, and hang up the hangings of the courtgate. 9. And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is therein, What is the key-note of this day? From what is it taken? How is it related to the Gospel for the day? What do we pray for in the Collect? What is the subject of our lesson to-day? What was the tabernacle? Give a general description of the tabernacle. What was its design? Where is God to be especially worshipped now? Is God present in the Church in a special manner? How ought we to behave ourselves in church? VERSES 1-2. What did God say to Moses here? When did God order Moses to set up the tabernacle here? How long was this after the exodus from Egypt? What time was spent in building the tabernacle? What was the difference between the tabernacle and the tent? Why was it called tent of the congregation? QUESTIONS. VER. 3. Can you describe the ark? In what part of the tabernacle was it situated? What was in the ark? What was the lid of it called? Why? By what images was it surmounted? In what part of the tabernacle was Jehovah supposed to dwell? and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy. 10. And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt-offering, and all his vessels, and sauctify the altar and it shall be an altar most holy. 11. And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it. 12. And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. 13. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. VERSES 4-5. In what part of the tabernacle were the objects here mentioned? What was the table here spoken of called? Why? What was the meaning of the bread? What was the meaning of the candlestick? Where was it placed? Can you describe it? Where was the altar of inceuse? What did the incense signify? How are the table of shew-bread and the altar of incense represented in the Church? 14. And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: 15. And thou shalt anoint them as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. 16. Thus did Moses; according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he. How is the candlestick represented? How was the tabernacle closed? VERSES 6-7. Describe the altar of burntoffering. Why was it so-called? Where was it placed? Have we an altar of burnt-offering in the Church? Why ot? Where was the laver placed? Can you describe it? What was its use and meaning? VERSE 8. How was the court formed? What was its size? Who only were permitted freely to enter this court? VERSES 9-11. What is commanded to be done in these verses? What did the oil represent? What then was the meaning of this act of anointing? How is a church now made holy and devoted to the service of God? VERSES 12-15. What three things are com manded here in reference to Aaron and his sons? What was the meaning of this washing? What of the holy garments? What of the anointing? With what office were they thus invested? What is a priest? What difference was there between the priesthood of Aaron and that of his sons? Who is our High Priest? Heb. iii. 1 iv. 14. Are there any priests now? 1 Pet. ii. 5. What difference is there between ministers and other people in this regard? In what sense then was the priesthood of Aaron and his sons an everlasting priesthood? VER. 16. What is said of Moses here? Should we ever in religious matters act simply according to our own inclinations? What ought to be the rule of our religious activity? NOTES. The leading theme of the Gospel and Epistle for this day, expressed in the key-note, which is taken from the epistle, is self-humiliation. In the process of that spiritual renovation which the progress of the Church year now calls to our mind, and which shall reach its glorious consummation in the resurrection of the last day, self-humiliation and self-sacrificing love are the leading factors. Christ humbled Himself and gave His life as a sacrifice for the world; and it is the Christian's calling in this regard to follow the example of Christ. For the grace that shall enable us to do so we pray in the Collect for the day. of the gods. The human mind is so constituted that, in order to worship the Deity, it must be able to regard this as localizing itself, as occupying a certain place. This is true not only of the uncultivated mind, but also of that of the most learned theologian, in spite of his knowledge that God is an omnipresent Spirit. To this necessity of human nature God accommodates Himself. The tabernacle, therefore, is constructed by divine authority, and made after a pattern divinely revealed; and its proper design is to serve as a mansion of the Deity, a dwelling-place of the divine presence. God really dwelled there, though not after the manner of an idol, not as being confined there, or limited to that spot. Compare 1 Kings viii. 13, 27, Ps. xi. 4, Hab. ii. 20. So now God, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, nevertheless condescends to dwell in temples, churches, made with men's hands, and desires there to be worshipped in a special manner. VERSES 1-2.- On the first day of the The Tabernacle was a movable sanctuary, which served as a dwelling place for Jehovah, and as a centre of Israel's worship. It was essentially a tent, composed of a frame-work of acacia wood, covered with a number of curtains of different materials. The innermost curtain was made of fine linen, of a white color, and was richly embroidered with figures of cherubims, of gold, blue, pur-first month, i. e. Abib or Nisan, the first ple and crimson colors. The next cur- month of the sacred year. Exod. xii. tain, spread over the first, was made of 2 and xiii. 4. It was now within a few goats' hair, and was that which was days of one year since the exodus from technically called the tent. Over this Egypt. The last six months had been curtain of goats' hair was another, made spent in making ready the materials for of rams' skins, dyed red; and over this the tabernacle. On the coming fourstill another, made probably of seals' teenth day of the month would occur skins, impervious to water. The length the passover, and the first anniversary of the structure was forty-five feet, the of the exodus. This was the special width fifteen feet, and the height fifteen reason why the tabernacle was to be set feet. The interior was divided by a up at this time. It was to be ready for curtain or veil, embroidered with figures the celebration of the passover. The of cherubim, into two unequal apart- tabernacle of the tent. These terms dements; the first or anterior one being note different parts of the same structhirty feet long and fifteen feet broad, ture. The tabernacle (Heb. mishkan, the second being a perfect cube of fifteen habitation, dwelling) comprehended the feet. The former was called the holy wooden framework, the linen curtain place, the latter the holy of holies; and which covered it, and the space thus here was the proper dwelling-place of enclosed. The tent, properly so called, Jehovah among His people. The gene- (Heb. Ohel), was simply the curtain of ral idea of the tabernacle was probably goats' hair, spread over the sacred older than the time of Moses; for, while dwelling; while what is called the cov settled communities in the most ancient ering consisted of the additional curtimes had their fixed temples, wander- tains of rams' skins and seals' skins. ing nomads, on the other hand, must Of the congregation, i. e. meeting or ashave had their portable sanctuaries. sembly. This is added because the tabThe design of these was, not to serve as ernacle was the place of meeting beplaces of shelter for the worshippers, tween Jehovah and His people-the nor as sacred enclosures wherein the place where the people assembled to worship was to be held, like modern receive communications from Jehovah, churches, but as shrines for the images and to worship Him. VERSE 3.-The ark of the testimony. For a description of the ark see Exod. xxv. 10-22. It was a chest or box, made of acacia wood, three feet nine inches long, and two feet three inches wide and high. Both within and without it was plated with gold. Accounts differ as to its contents. According to one statement it contained nothing but the two tables of stone on which were engraved the ten commandments (1 Kings viii. 9); on which account it seems to have been called ark of the testimony, and at a later time ark of the covenant. According to other statements it contained a copy of the book of the law, a pot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded (Deut. xxxi. 26, Heb. ix. 4). Perhaps its contents varied at different times. The lid of the ark, both ends of which were surmounted by golden images of cherubim, was in Hebrew called kapporeth (covering), which, in our English Bible is translated mercyseat, Latin propitiutorium, probably because on the day of atonement the blood of the expiatory sacrifice was sprinkled on or towards it, by which a covering (atonement) or remission of the sins of the people was supposed to be effected. The ark stood in the holy of holies, just behind the veil which separated it from the holy place. And here, just over the mercy-seat, between the two cherubims, was the place where the Shekinah or divine presence rested, being indicated by a cloud, from the midst of which audible responses were given, whenever Jehovah was consulted in behalf of the people. rectly opposite the table of shew-bread, VERSES 4-5.-The three objects here mentioned were in the holy place, or anterior part of the tabernacle. The table, called the table of shew-bread. See Exod. xxv. 23-30. It was made of .acacia wood, three feet long, two feet three inches high, and a foot and a half wide. It was plated with gold, and had, moreover, a border or crown of gold running around the top. Its position was on the right or northern side of the holy place. Twelve loaves of bread, answering to the number of the tribes of Israel, were continually kept exposed on this table, symbolizing the real communion between Jehovah and His people, or the spiritual food which VERSES 6-7.-The altar of the burnt offering. See Exod. xxvii. 1-8. This altar was likewise made of acacia wood, which was covered with a heavy plating of brass or copper. It was four and a half feet high, and seven and a half feet square. The top was covered with a grating of brass, for the ashes to pass through, which accumulated in the hollow place beneath. On this altar were offered all the sacrifices made by fire, and its fire was never suffered to go out. It stood without the tabernacle, and in front of it, before its entrance, to signify that the holy habitation of Jehovah could be approached by sinful men only by means of sacrificial offerings. Before the sinner can come to Jehovah, he must make atonement for his sin. Now all atoning sacrifices of the Old Testament are types of Christ, whose passion is the only propitiatory sacrifice for our Jehovah provides for His people. Di-sius. The meaning of the altar of |