supreme sacrifice. We b&ve now to offer our bodies as living (not slain) sacri6ces (Rom. xii. 1). 2. There was service in the temple. Levites as well as priests worked there. It was a busy scene of activity. Christ's people are all priests and Levites. They are not called to gaze at a spectacle, buh to take an active part in the work of the Church. 3. There was praise in the temple. The sons of Korah and their later representatives made its walls resound with loud, if not always 'Yith what wa should call sweet, music. The Christian life should be as a glad psalm of praise. Ver. 12.-Soliditg. "The wall of the building was five cubits thick." Thie suggests a solid structure. I. THE STRUCTURE OF SALVATION IS SOLID. The temple was etrong as a castle. Indeed, it was used as a fortress in the time of the Roman siege of Jerusalem, and was the last part of the city to yield to the foe. The Church of God is better than an ark on the waters; it is a mighty fortress, built upon a strong foundation, and strongly protected by the presence of God. We need not fear for our spiritual shelter. It will not be blown away with every wind of doctrine. What Christ has done for us will stand the hardest strain. II. THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS SOLID. There are, indeed, eome Christian people whose faith seems to be no better than the flimsiest summer tent, quite unfit to stand against the least gale of doubt, temptation, or trouble. But he who is really and earnestly endeavouring to live the Christian life by the grace of God will find that, though he is weak, God can make him strong, and build up hie spiritual life into a vigour at which the man himself may well be surprised. ill. THE STRUCTURE OF TRUTH IS SOLID. There is a great deal in men's opinions of religion that will need to be swept a.way by widening knowledge. But this is not truth. All soon as a real fact is reached, no granite from Aberdeen can be more hard and firm. When we reach truth our feet touch the rock, and when we build up our teachings out of truths they must stand. "Truth is great, and it must prevail." IV. THE STRUCTURE OF GOOD WORK IS SOLID. Here is the test by which to reveal showy, worthless work, and to distinguish it from that which is of real value. '!'here are men who build on the right foundation, and yet only pile up wood, hay, and stubble. Their work will be burnt, though they themselves will be saved (1 Cor. iii. 13-15). But when a man with an honest heart toils unpretentiously to build up what is real and tree-to better society, to spread the gospel by it-all on the foundation of Christ, he may rest assured that his work will stand. Such work is solid. V. THE CHURCH OF CHRIST Is SOLID. The Church has stood many shocks and dangers-temptations and persecutions. Still she endures. Philosophies, social systems, and political movements have risen and fallen. But the Church of Christ has outlived them all. She outlived the Roman empire and the ancient civilization. She will outlive her rivals in thought and social movements in the present day. VI. HEAVEN IS SOLID. It is no vague cloudland. Christ spoke of his Father's hO'USe (John xiv. 1). St. Paul contrasted the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, with the present temporary tabernacle of the earthly body (2 Cor. v. 1). The writer to the Hebrews shows us Abraham looking " for a city which hath foundation,, whose Builder and Maker is God" (Heb. xi. 10). Ver. 18.-" aherubims and palm trees." Ezekiel is here in the midst of hfa favourite imagery. But as there were no palm trees in the old tabernacle of the wilderness, nor in Solomon's temple, why does the prophet plant them among his cherubim? I. THE FUTURE WILL BE vxcTonrous. 'l'he old times were times of darkness, fear, difficulty, and strife. Even yet we are not out of the noise of the battle, and perhaps a more fierce conflict is gathering. But beyond all these is the peace of Divine victory assured to the servants of Christ. This was anticipated by the exultant Galilwans, who spread palm branches before our Lord as he rode up to Jerusalem. Now, the vision of the palm trees should encourage patience and inspire energy. A splendid future is before us; let us, then, press on w}th undimmed hope. 1. The palm tree is lofty. It ~hoots straight up and towers above the pie.in, a graceful and a conspicuous object. The_happy future will be exalted and heavenly. 2. The palm tree bears all itsfruit on its swmmit. It is a high, bare pillar, crowned with fruit and foliage. Men must OH, XLI, 1-26.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 34()
climb to reach its treasures. The victory of Christian experience is not for those who grovel in earthly-mindedness. 3. The palm flourishes in the desert. It is the one fruitful tree of the desert. The victory of Christ over Satan was obtained amidst out- ward darkness and despair. His future victory over all evil may be among discouraging external signs. We need not despair of the human desert if the palm of Christ is there. 4. The palm tree requires water for its nourishment. It will not grow in the sandy wastes of the Sahara. The victory of Christianity depends on hidden supplies of the water of life. II. THE VICTORY OF THE FUTURE- WILL BE DIVINE. The palm tree is in the temple, planted among the heavenly cherubim. It is a bit of nature surrounded with things never found in nature. Christ's kingdom grows upon earth. The people of God are to flourish like the palm tree (Ps. xcii. 12). But this prosperity is no mere natural growth of wild humanity; neither is it the cultivated product of secular education. 'l'he palm tree is not in the well-pruned and tended garden, but in the temple. It is through religion that we are led on by Christ to victory. 1. There is the conq=t of evil. The palm tree is planted by the place of sacrifices-in the temple. We can only hope for a good future when the wrongs and sins of mankind, which are its greatest evils, are overcome. 2. There is dedication to God. The palm tree grows in a holy place. We must be devoted to God if we would enjoy his smile and favour. The highest glory will crown the work of the most devoted servant of Christ. At the monastery of Mar Saba, in the wilderness of the Dead Sea, a palm tree grows on a shelf of the rock high up a wild, barren cliff, and yet flourishes there and bears fruit, because-as the monks say-it springs from a date-stone sown by the saint who founded the monastery. True saints will grow pal.ms of victory from the hardest lives,