May 7th.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 10, 1 April 1916, Page 133

May 7th.

(Second Sunday after Easter.) Subject — THE LORD'S HOUSE. Scripture Texts: i Chron. xxii., 2 Chron. xxiy., xxvi. 16, 1 Kings v. - vii, 2 Chron. xxxyi. 19, John v ii. 13-22. Describe shortly Solomon's Temple. Erected by command of God : Show picture : Built of best materials procurable, made as beautiful as possible —exactly suited for its purpose : The money and material and labour willingly given. 2 Chron iii. 10. Its furniture r— (1) the brazen altar of burnt offering, (2) the golden altar of incense, (3) the table for the shew bread, (4) the golden candlesticks, (5) the beautiful hangings, (6) the Holy of Holies with its golden figures of angels shadowing the Mercy Seat. This afterwards destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, but rebuilt seventy years afterwards. In the second Temple Jesus worshipped. He called it God's House, " My House " ; He paid His contribution to support it. He drove out those who misused it. He attended its Dedication Festival. The Christian Church, too, has its TEMPLES or CHURCHES, with altars. The Jews had only one temple and many meeting houses or synagogues. We have a great many temples —we call them cathedrals, parish churches, etc. Some of the cathedrals are very old and took very many years to build; they are very, beautiful; men have given the very best they could for God's glory. Describe a typical Church: (1) Its shape — a cross — somtetimes with towers or a belfry and sometimes a steeple with a cross on the top pointing to Heaven ; the nave, or middle part, the aisles or side parts, the chancel, the sanctuary ; sometimes side chapels. (2) Inside the door a FONT, — why ? (3) The lectern and pulpit m the nave, — why ? (4) The altar and its ornaments—in the sanctuary or Holy, of Holies—compare with temple. The Church is consecrated (c/-----the Dedication of the Temple,— 2

Chron. v., vi.). It is set apart for divine worship especially for the administration of Holy Communion. The ancient Churches used to be built over the tombs of martyrs. Some Churches still have tombs m them. Most old Churches have the dead buried m the churchyard. . ' (i) A Church is not an ordinary building. (2) It is God's House — here Jesus is saeratnentallv present at every Communion, and always present spiritually. Of course when you attend a service m Church you kneel m prayer when you enter and you take your part all through the service. But the Church is intended to be used for private prayer as well as public services. Plow to behave when you visit a Church : — (1) On enterine pray that God will keep you mindful of His Presence ; (2) Do not talk ; (3) Boys always remove caps ; (4) Do not go into the chancel unless your duty requires it ; (5) If you can put something m the alms box. The -Church is intended for USE, not for SHOW. Go to Church as often as you can to pray and meditate : sit or kneel or stand, but never forg-et God's presence. • If you are helping to decorate, or are attending- choir practice remember always God's presence. Children must on no accofi'nt play or run about m a Church. We must show the utmost reverence m God's House. Before g-oinp- out of the Church always kne^l down and pray for the Parish and its clergy, and ask God to bless you and be with you as voti fro out into the world, team hymn 242, Genesis xxviii. 17.