Page:Light and truth.djvu/215

Rh dimensions, said to be 300 cubits from its lowest base; it was composed of stones many of them sixty feet in length. The lower part of the superstructure was com- posed of blocks of white marble more than sixty feet long and seven feet by nine in bigness. The circumference of the whole pile, was four furlongs. In the front were spacious and lofty galleries, wainscoted with cedar, supported by uniform rows of white marble columns. Josephus asserts that nothing could exceed the exterior parts of this house of God, for elegant and exquisite workmanship, or in splendor: its solid plates of gold seemed to strive to outdazzle the rising sun. The part of the building not covered with gold, had at a distance the appearance of pillars of snow, or white marble mountains. And the grandeur of the internal workmanship of this magnificent edifice was fully equal to its external magnificence. Nothing superb, costly, or elegant was spared. The different parts of the world seemed to have vied with each other, to pour their most costly treasures into this treasure house of heaven. The lower story of the temple was decorated with the sacred furniture, the table of the shew bread, the altar of incense, and the candlestick of pure beaten gold. The altar and table were overlaid with pure gold. Several doors of this sanctuary were fifty-five cubits in height, and sixteen in breadth, likewise overlaid with pure gold. The richest Babylonian tapestry of purple, blue, and of exquisite workmanship, waved within these doors. Gold vines of curious workmanship with leaves and clusters of grapes of gold were suspended five or six feet from the ceiling. The eastern gate of the temple was immense, and of pure Corinthian brass, a most valuable metal. But it would be a task to enumerate all the golden works, paintings, and gildings, vessels of gold, and scarlet, violet, and purple sacerdotal vestments, and all the piles of incalculable riches in this temple of Jehovah. The most precious stones, spices and perfumes, every thing that nature or art or riches could furnish, were stored within these stupendous and hallowed walls.

This structure, for beauty, magnificence, and expense, exceeded any building which was ever erected. It was built of large stones of white marble, curiously hewn,