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CHAPTER VII.

THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE OF CHRIST.

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever," suggesting to the mind, idealization perfected, the acme of finite possibility and subtle inspiration to aspire to a similar state of development, whether the object of our admiration be the delicate tint of the fairest flower, the variegated plumage of the rarest bird, the masterpieces of human genius in art and architecture, or the emblazoned heavens which, "declare the glory of God."

All of the beautiful things in nature impel both attention and appreciation, but investigation and retrospection reveal to us the sad commentary of unending change in all material things, through the disintegration of the elements, causing even the things of beauty to fade and leaving only their splendid memories to cheer us, while in the human breast there is an aching void which the world never has and never can fill, as the cry echoes and reverberates through the centuries: "Why cannot these objects of our adoration remain forever with us?"

As a direct answer to this question, and in striking contrast to nature's law of mutation, we

have had presented to our mental vision, through the revealed Word of God, a view (indistinct, it is true, but suggestive of an ultimate to evolution) of the Spiritual Temple of Christ, "without spot or wrinkle," immaculate in concept, matchless in design, perfect in symmetry, ornate in appearance, as enduring as the eternal ages, and as boundless as the purview of God's own power and authority.

The Foundation.

The accompanying chart represents this "Temple" as resting upon a foundation in which the apostles and prophets are delineated as foundation

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stones," cemented together by one common motive, viz., establishing forever through the "faith once for all delivered to the saints," the divinity of Jesus, which requires every link in the chain of prophecy from the Garden of Eden to the Hill of Calvary, confirmed to us by the testimony of the eye-witnesses of His prowess, His humiliation and His exaltation.

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The Narrow Way.

A stream of converts is constantly pouring into this Temple," attracted by the gospel message, "for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." "And I, when I am lifted up, shall draw all men unto Myself."

"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the

Word of God," so men who hear and weigh the evidence in this testimony, are compelled to believe that Jesus is the "Christ, the Son of God," and on inquiring what they must do to be "translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son," are told to "repent," to "confess" their faith in Him, and to "obey His commandments."

"Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city." "And to as many as believed Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God." John 1:12.

The commands of the admiral of a fleet are addressed in a manner so varied as to cover every phase and function of nautical activity. Christ, our great captain, has done likewise. To the world, He says: "Come!" To the church, "Go!" To the man of the world, "Repent and be baptized”; “Take up your cross and follow me;" "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me and you shall find rest to your souls;" "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life." To the church, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel unto every creature." "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all

things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you alway even to the end of the world." Add to this the command, "Occupy till I come and we perceive that we are to follow "In His steps" until perfected in His service.

The Temple.

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in His eternal "Temple," and the massive walls of this wonderful building, rising tier upon tier, ascend majestically towards His throne, as He is constantly constructing it, from the material prepared for Him, in the lives consecrated to His service. We call some men advisedly, "Pillars in the Temple of God." "As lively stones, we are built up a spiritual house." "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the prophets and the apostles," Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone, in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Pursuing the precedent of Solomon's temple, which is the prototype of the building which "God builds and not man," prepared materials assembled from all parts of the world, will, if up to specification, fill their appointed places to such a nicety that

the sound of ax or hammer or any such tool will not be heard in its construction. Tradition says that the materials which could not "pass muster" with the "master overseer" were "heaved over into the rubbish." Jesus says the "unprofitable servant shall be cast into outer darkness." The inference is clear.

As God is architect and final builder, we must expect perfection in every detail, or an effort that approximates toward it. With Abraham, "we look for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God." "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come."

The corner-stone is prominent because of the frank declaration: "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Jesus said: "Upon this rock (the revealed truth of His divinity) I will build My church, and the powers of the place of death shall not prevail over it."

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The Superstructure.

The wise man" of the Jews, with prophetic vision, speaking of the future progress of revelation, said: "Wisdom hath builded her seven pillars." Paul provides the following in her perspective: "One Body, one Spirit, one Hope, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father." In the chart they are displayed to us, resting upon the foundation and in giving support to the superstruc

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