YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5499, 2 July 1879, Page 6

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Thi Rev. J. S. Hill continued his lecture yesterday evening npon " The Tabernacle," the first part of which was delivered on Friday last. Mr. J. L. Wilson occupied the chair. The proceedings were opened with devotional exercises. The Kev. Mr. Hill, resuming his discourse, said that he bad been asked a great many questions in reference to his subject, and to give the answers to them would occupy too long a time. But people might rest assured that every difficulty in respect of the proper interpretation of the Bible originated in their own ignorance. He did not profess to know more than others who had studied the subject, or to know all about it; and he would, therefore, refer those who wished for more light than he could throw upon it to the Word of God itself. In his last lectu.ro, he had described, by means of the coloured illustration, several parts of the Tabernacle, and for the benefit of those not present at the first half of the lecture he repeated the process. His principal topics on the present occasion were the vessels used in the variouß services. The word "altar" had reference to judgment, but it was necessary to remind the audience of the distinction between the words " sin" and " sins," as frequently used in the Bible. The former word had reference to the whole people, and the latter to individuals. The word " altar" in Latin signified a high place, but in Hebrew it had a different signification. It had reference to sacrifice; it also signified what went up from the place of sacrifice. The altar to which he first referred was called the " altar bafore the Tabernacle," 5 by 5 cubits, by 3 cubits high, made of wood overlaid with brass, with a brass grating in the centre, npon which fire was kept burning day and night. The service typified the Christian dispensation when Christ became the sacrifice. On this altar a lamb was ■lain —for atonement, for assurance, for acceptance. The audience might imagine what a pious Jew would realiso when standing before this altar, and seeing the " sweet Bmelling savour" ascending, knew that the offering had been accepted by God. He became assured of forgiveness. He became a free man. The next vessel was the laver

made of brass, the water in which typified the Word of God. He should state that every vessel made of metal had reference to the Divine Nature. The laver itself had reference to the Holy Ghost. There was no covering for this vessel, because the Word of God should not be hidden or shut up. The laver was made of the mirrors used by the women, which were given up for this use by the women that came to the door of the Tabernacle. The " Holy place" had reference to the " abiding in Christ"; the outer court itself had reference to "reconciliation," Then there was the table of shewbread, with the frankincense upon it. Frankincese, it was to be remembered, was a single, pure gum; incense was of three different gums. The twelve loaves were represented by the twelve tribes of Israel. A blue cloth covered the table, and the loaves were wrapped in red cloth. The colour blue was typical of the word "heavenly," and red had refefence to blood. They were types of the heavenly origin of our Lord and His blood that was shed for man's redemption. Next in order was the " golden candlestick," which was replenished with oil every morning by the sonß of Aaron. This had reference to the Holy Spirit in connection with the Church of Christ. Its seven branches typified the "seven churches," the "seven seals " the- seven trumpets, while these things represented the Holy Spirit in connection with God's people. This important veaael, the golden candlestick, typified the new life of the Christian man. Then, there was the "altar of incense," 1 by 1 cubit, and 2 cubits high. Whoever laid unhallowed hands on this was sorely punished. Isaiah laid hold of the horns of this altar, and he became a leper. Zachariah went to it to replenish the incense, and he came forth from it blind. Next in order was the Holy of Holies, 2J by 1A cubits and 1J cubits high. Here were the tables of the covenant, a pot of manna and Aaron's rod. (The lecturer described with great minuteness the various aspects of these sacred things, illustrating the sacrifices and feasts of Israel, and interpreting their typical meaning by Scripture references.) As to the sacrifices they were:—(l) the burnt-offering, (2) the meat-offering, (3) the peace-offering, (4) the sin-offering, (5) the trespass-offering. The first was either an ox or a ram, or a lamb or dove, and was typical of our Lord himself in his character of the sacrifice that was offered np for the sin of the world. Those who wished to know all about the burnt-offering should read the first chapter of Leviticus. The ox represented strength, the lamb meekness, the dove loveliness and holiness. But Christ, in Himself, represented these three qualities. The meatoffering was made of fine flour, mingled with oiL Part of this was reserved for the food of the priest. This, had reference, not to Christ's death, but to His life. The peaceoffering was a lamb, and a portion of this was food for the offerer and the priest. The " sin-offering" was a bullock, for Aaron and sons; a bullock for the elders and representatives of the people, a ram for rulers, and two doves for ordinary persons. In this case, the blood was sprinkled in different places. The " trespass-offering" was a peculiar offering. Those who made it must bring amends for the trespass. If a neighbour was injured, amends or reparation had to be brought with the offering, to the extent of one-fifth extra. There was another remarkable sacrifice, known as the " offering of the red heifer," and described in the 19th chapter of Numbers. It was slain ontside the encampment. The blood was then carried into the camp and sprinkled on the door of the Tabernacle. When anyone became defiled by touching a corpse, or otherwise unclean, he had to take the ashes of the "red heifer," which were sprinkled on him with a bunch of hyssop. Then, as to the feasts, they were referred to in the 23rd chapter of Levitic.ua. There was the feast of Sabbath, under which head came the " rest" of conscience, the "rest" of heart, and the " rest that remaineth." Then the Passover on the 14th day of the first month; feast of "unleavened bread," the feast of " first fruits," the feast of " trumpets," the feast of Tabernacles, the Sabbatical feast every seven years, and the jubilee every fiftieth year. To these were to be added the "Day of Atonement." The cloud over the Tabernacle was a guide to Israel; it moved when he. was to move, and it stayed where he was to stay. (The lecturer described the ceremonies observed at the above festivals, and interpreted their typical meaning.) Ha referred all to the Bible for information upon all theße topics. Let them study these things, which typified the great sacrifice of Christ—in fact, Christ was revealed in the Bible from Genesis to Revelations. These types had thei? representation in the new dispensation. In the Gospel of Matthew they saw Christ as " king," in that of Mark as a " servant," in that of Luke they found Him represented as the " Son of Man," in that of John as "the Son of God." He (Mr. Hill) simply asked his hearers to study the whole of this subject earnestly, so that interest might be awakened in their hearts; that they should not derive enlightment from what he said, or from* what others said from Sunday to Sunday, but from the Word of God himeelf. A vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer by acclamation. Tlw Chairman" announced that Mr. Barutovr would give his lecture on Friday eventij/ next.