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 The Spiritual and Ideal Significance of Bruton Parish Church, Restored

"And the house (of God) was finished—and the children of Israel kept the dedication of the house with joy."

Ezra vi: 15-16.

These words were spoken concerning the temple of Zerubbabel, which had been built in Jerusalem after the ruin and desolation that had fallen upon the house of God at the hands of those who had led Israel and Judah into captivity. The temple had been restored, the work was finished. and the people rejoiced as they gave the house to God.

For well nigh two years this house of God in which we worship to-day has been in the hands of workmen who have been laboring to restore to the temple its ancient interior form, and make it symbolic of its ancient glory. And now "the house is finished," and we approach the day (May 12, 1907) when in the service of consecration the Church restored will be given to God. and we pause to-day to learn the lessons of the past, and to consider the meaning of the work that we may enter upon that service with feelings of joy and thanksgiving.

The temple was the centre of Israel's life. During the days of its splendor it was the symbol of the nation's glory, and in its subsequent ruin and desolation it became the symbol of the nation's shame.

The house of God was from the first a place of hallowed