temple, and whose death exposed the people to the most cruel indignities and sufferings.

The 13th Adar is designed to commemorate the remarkable fast instituted by Esther the Queen and the Jews who dwelt at Shushan.

CHAPTER V.

SECTION LXIV.

WORSHIP, ITS NATURE AND TENDENCY.

By divine command Moses erected the tabernacle and appointed the ritual or ceremonial observances for both the priests and the people, and as the command was explicit, the ministrations of religious worship were continued during the sojourn in the desert. This was succeeded by a temple reared by Solomon, and in his reign the solemnities of worship were observed with unusual splendour. The great truth was recognized by this illustrious king, and embodied in his consecration prayer, "that the heaven of heavens cannot contain the majesty of God, much less the house which he had built." An earthly temple with its gorgeous splendour

was yet both insignificant and worthless when contrasted with the immensity and holiness of God.

Worship is the homage due from the creature to the Creator, the reverence of a subject to a sovereign. That it contributes nothing to the majesty of God, renders no additional glory to the Eternal, is obvious, but on the contrary its effects are seen in the increasing piety and wisdom of the worshipper. The welfare of man is the direct result, the acquirement of those habits of humiliation, dependence, fear, and hope, which are essential to this spiritual excellence of character; the emotions of gratitude and love thus cherished not only ennoble, but prepare the spirit for the enjoyment of a future scene. Thus the psalmist describes the effects: "He who offereth me thanks glorifieth me, and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God." (Ps. 1. 23.)

SECTION LXV.

The condition of the Israelites must be remembered. They were slaves, and at the time unfitted for the enjoyment of perfect freedom; and the reversal of their

condition would have been accompanied with dangerous results. The example of idolatry in Egypt had weakened their perceptions of truth, and had left their minds debased and wavering; it was therefore necessary that the first principles of truth should be communicated in a simple and explicit form. Hence the duties of the ten commandments were first taught, the avoidance of sins which would have been attended with peril to the community in succeeding times. Worship was commanded, that they might be induced to recognize at stated periods the unity and supremacy of the living God. Hence also arose the necessity of a priesthood to preside, of sacrifices to be offered, and of ceremonies to impress the minds of the assembled worshippers. These institutions were eminently successful; through them the people derived religious knowledge, and learnt to perceive the distinctions between vice and virtue, obedience and sin.

SECTION LXVI.

The erection of the tabernacle as well as its worship subserved these purposes in the wilderness, and when

the families spread in Judea, and founded villages and towns, the temple was erected in Jerusalem; for God said, "In strength will I build mine house to stand fast for ever." Jerusalem, the capital, contained many advantages for this purpose; it was the residence of the king, the priests, the magistrates, and the military powers.

Moses accordingly commanded that the people should present themselves before the Lord in the three great festivals, that their devotions to God might be accompanied with due solemnity, and that their respect for the lawfully-constituted authorities of the land and their union in the bonds of national brotherhood might be more firmly and indissolubly cemented. At these times the rites of hospitality were liberally practised and the people mutually rejoiced as members of one common family.

SECTION LXVII.

At the time the temple existed, daily Sabbath and feast offerings were presented as devotional gifts, and with these ascended prayers for the congregation and