the righteous "feareth no evil." Rest and peace are found alone in Jesus Christ. They are the promises of the gospel. A safe dwelling-place-a quiet conscience-a restful heart."Faith cometh by hearing." Oh, listen and believe.

P.S. I have no doubt many teachers will find sufficient in these scriptures for two or three lessons; all that is attempted is to bring out points that may attract the young heart, and shew where Christ and the gospel may be appropriately brought in; and in no way to encroach on private study, &c. If we dig, we shall find no difficulty in discovering the precious "Corner Stone" even in Proverbs, and illustrating everything from_the truths of scripture. T. R.

HINTS ON THE TABERNACLE AND ITS

SACRIFICES.

In the building itself, the teacher can go into the details more or less fully as he may be led.

It is an interesting question as to how far the Israelites themselves were portrayed in any part of the tabernacle. In the New Testament we read that Christians are builded together for "an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Eph. ii. 22.) And again," Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?" (1 Cor. iii. 16.) Now this being "builded together," and for the same purpose as the tabernacle was raised-that God might dwell therein; and being called a "temple," throws us back upon the Old Testament to inquire what was there in the tabernacle that in any way answered to this?

May not the people be referred to in the boards that constituted the framework of the tabernacle ? 65-2

Their number is significant-forty-eight, which is made up of twelve (answering to the twelve tribes) multiplied by four: though we should not hesitate to view the tabernacle as a whole, and in its parts, as Christ Himself. In the boards there is the wood that typifies the manhood of Christ, and the gold that covers them answers to His Godhead. But we must remember that Christ

and His people are so united, that it is impossible to separate them. Several passages in the New Testament could be referred to, but the expression "the body of Christ" is sufficient to shew the inseparable union of Christ and His members.

We do not mean of course that this was to be learnt from the tabernacle. It is only having this union now revealed that we can look back and see that the boards may have been typical both of Christ and of His members.

Another allusion may be seen in the loaves of the shew-bread being twelve. Why twelve? Twelve is administrative perfection in man, and the twelve tribes answered to that at the time. The loaves are Christ as food laid up for them in the presence of God. In Leviticus xxiv. 8, we read the bread was "from the children of Israel for an everlasting covenant."

But let us turn to the building, and first we may consider its foundation. This was in sockets of silver cast from the money paid for the redemption of the people when they were numbered. (Exod. xxx. 11-16.) Thus we may say that the foundation on which God could dwell with man was redemption. Forty of these sockets were placed on the north side, and forty on the south side, and sixteen on the west. In each of the sockets was a hole to receive the tenons of the board.

On these sockets stood the boards, made of shittim wood. Each board had two tenons or pieces projecting, which fitted into the holes in the socketseach board taking two sockets. The boards were to be ten cubits in length, and a cubit and a half in the width, but nothing is said of the thickness. Now if we take the cubit at the lowest estimate of eighteen inches, the length would be fifteen feet, and the width two feet three inches. Josephus

says that the boards were four fingers thick, and in another place, the third of a span-both of which point to about three and a half inches; but scripture is silent on this point. The boards were overlaid with gold, both inside and out-the divinity of Christ. The shittim wood is generally believed to be a species of acacia of the East—not the acacia of England-a hard, durable wood, typical of the manhood of Christ. These boards securely fitted into the silver sockets of redemption.

Thus the structure is ten cubits in width, and thirty in length. In each board were rings of gold, through which ran bars for the whole length, holding all together. There were five bars on each side, the middle bar running from end to end. These were overlaid with gold. The bars are generally arranged thus, but there is no arrangement given in scripture.

In the interior was a row of five pillars on sockets of silver, to sustain the veil which shut off the most holy place. And at the east end were five pillars to sustain curtains at the entrance. These latter pillars rested on sockets of brass.

Why were these sockets to be of brass, and not

of silver as the others? We doubt not there is a reference here to the feet of the priests. Brass was the emblem of divine righteousness, and the entrance of the tabernacle must be thus guarded.

Round the temple a court of one hundred cubits by sixty cubits was formed by hangings upon pillars, which stood upon sockets of brass. Here again, where the feet of the people came, must the righteousness of God be represented.

Now the tabernacle was but one, compacted together and firm-standing upon the foundation of redemption-formed of wood, but overlaid with gold. Thus, with its curtains and coverings, was the tabernacle formed that was to be a dwelling place for God-typical of Christ, who was God manifest in the flesh. It was all to be made according to the patterns shewn to Moses in the mount. This may well be contrasted with all the systems of men, who do not hesitate to set up "tabernacles" of their own, and according to their own plans and purposes.

THE PRESENT EVIL AGE.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,

With reference to "The present evil age" or as the Holy Ghost puts it "the evil day" in Ephesians vi. 13, I beg leave to pen a few lines in answer to my brother at arms, for I feel persuaded that he is fighting under the same banner as myself, and without a doubt we have a terrible foe to do battle with, not the Prince of Russia, but the prince of this world. (See John xii. 31; xiv. 30.) And we cannot make light of his power, but we have " a little strength." (Rev. iii. 8.)

I think the poet will give us a cue in the following lines, to our proper strategy, at this crisis,

"Lead on, almighty Lord,
Lead on to victory,

Encouraged by thy blessed word
With joy we follow thee."

He has not sent us into the deadly fight alone, for mark His blessed word to us is, "Lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the world." (Matt. xxviii. 20.) Yes, we are to be followers of Him, who was left alone, but we are not alone."

By the bye one is reminded of an historical fact in connection with a certain highland chief (by name McGregor), who fell wounded at the battle of Prestonpans. The clan, seeing their chief fall, wavered, and gave the enemy an advantage. The old chieftain, beholding this effect of his disaster, raised himself up on his elbow, and cried aloud, "I am not dead, my children, I am looking at you to see you do your duty." These words revived the sinking courage of his brave Highlanders, and was indeed an incentive, for it roused them to push on, for the fact was, they still fought under the eye of their chief.

And is there not an incentive to us, in the fact that we contend in the battlefield, not only under the eye of our Lord, but we know that He is with us? Therefore we should not be justified in turning away, but must keep our eye upon Him, and not dread the tempter.

The following is cited to shew my meaning. David Hume was on a visit at the house of a friend, and in the course of conversation Mr. Hume made some assertion which caused a gentle-man present to observe to him, "If you can