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 offering  up  the  "living  bread  that  descended  from  heaven”.  The  seven lights  are  the  seven  Sacraments  which  are  here  dispensed,  and  the laver  is  the  baptismal  font  and  the  confessional,  where  we  are  cleansed from  our  sins  — or  even  the  stoup  of  holy  water,  by  the  devout  use of  which  venial  sins  are  remitted.  You  can  see,  therefore,  that  in  many respects  the  Tabernacle  was  a type,  which  finds  its  perfect  fulfilment  in our  churches;  and  that  even  the  poorest  village-chapel  is  holier  than was  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Old  Covenant.  As  the  Tabernacle  was divided  into  two  parts,  so  our  churches  have  two  parts:  one  for  the priests,  called  the  sanctuary,  and  another  for  the  faithful,  called  the body  of  the  church.  Hence  the  Tabernacle  was  a pattern  for  our Christian churches.

God’s Goodness  to  the  Israelites  was  exceedingly  great; for  He  deigned to dwell  in  their  midst  in  a visible  way,  in  the  pillar  of  cloud. But immeasurably greater  is  God’s  love  and  condescension  to  us;  for  His Divine Son  made  Man  dwells  with  us  not  only  in  one  place,  but  in thousands  of  different  churches  and  chapels,  under  the  appearance  of bread,  blesses  us,  offers  Himself  up  for  us,  and  feeds  our  souls  with the bread  from  heaven,  that  contains  within  itself  all  sweetness.

The veneration  of  images.  By  God’s  command  Moses  had  figures of cherubim  embroidered  on  the  hangings  of  the  Sanctuary,  and  placed golden cherubim  on  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant. These images  served for the  glory  of  God  and  the  edification  of  the  Israelites. It is  evident, therefore, that  it  is  pleasing  to  God  that  we  should  venerate  the  images of the  angels  and  saints.

Ark of  the  Covenant.  Mary  is  called,  in  the  Litany  of  Loretto, the Ark  of  the  Covenant,  because  she  is  the  Mother  of  Jesus  Christ, who instituted  the  New  Covenant.

We should  be  zealous  for  the  beauty  of  the house of  God. “I have  loved,  O Lord,  the  beauty  of  Thy  house, and the  place  where  Thy  glory  dwelleth”  (Ps.  25,  8). Gladly visit the  church;  and  beware  of  desecrating  it. Be careful  how you behave  in  it,  and  how  you  use  holy  water  &amp;c.

Y God’s  command  Moses  now  prescribed  what  sacrifices  were to be  offered,  together  with  the  manner  of  offering  them, and the  times  when  they  were  to  be  offered. Some of  these