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's house： and also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God； which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem； and brought unto Babylon； be restored； and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem。〃 Ezra 6：3…5。
Tidings of this decree reached the farthermost provinces of the king's realm； and everywhere among the children of the dispersion there was great rejoicing。 Many； like Daniel；
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had been studying the prophecies； and had been seeking God for His promised intervention in behalf of Zion。 And now their prayers were being answered； and with heartfelt joy they could unite in singing：
〃When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion； We were like them that dream。 Then was our mouth filled with laughter； And our tongue with singing： Then said they among the heathen； The Lord hath done great things for them。 The Lord hath done great things for us； Whereof we are glad。〃 Psalm 126：1…3。
〃The chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin； and the priests； and the Levites； with all them whose spirit God had raised〃these were the goodly remnant； about fifty thousand strong； from among the Jews in the lands of exile； who determined to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity offered them 〃to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem。〃 Their friends did not permit them to go empty…handed。 〃All they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver； with gold； with goods； and with beasts； and with precious things。〃 And to these and many other voluntary offerings were added 〃the vessels of the house of the Lord； which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem； 。 。 。 even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer； 。 。 。 five thousand and four hundred〃 in number； for use in the temple that was to be rebuilt。 Ezra 1：5…11。
Upon Zerubbabel （known also as Sheshbazzar）； a descendant of King David； Cyrus placed the responsibility of
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acting as governor of the company returning to Judea； and with him was associated Joshua the high priest。 The long journey across the desert wastes was accomplished in safety； and the happy company； grateful to God for His many mercies； at once undertook the work of re…establishing that which had been broken down and destroyed。 〃The chief of the fathers〃 led out in offering of their substance to help defray the expense of rebuilding the temple； and the people； following their example； gave freely of their meager store。 See Ezra 2：64…70。
As speedily as possible； an altar was erected on the site of the ancient altar in the temple court。 To the exercises connected with the dedication of this altar； the people had 〃gathered themselves together as one man；〃 and there they united in re…establishing the sacred services that had been interrupted at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar。 Before separating to dwell in the homes they were endeavoring to restore； 〃they kept also the Feast of Tabernacles。〃 Ezra 3：1…6。
The setting up of the altar of daily burnt offerings greatly cheered the faithful remnant。 Heartily they entered into the preparations necessary for the rebuilding of the temple； gathering courage as these preparations advanced from month to month。 They had for many years been deprived of the visible tokens of God's presence。 And now； surrounded as they were by many sad reminders of the apostasy of their fathers； they longed for some abiding token of divine forgiveness and favor。 Above the regaining of personal property and ancient privileges； they valued the approval of God。 Wonderfully had He wrought in their
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behalf； and they felt the assurance of His presence with them； yet they desired greater blessings still。 With joyous anticipation they looked forward to the time when； with temple rebuilt； they might behold the shining forth of His glory from within。
The workmen engaged in the preparation of the building material； found among the ruins some of the immense stones brought to the temple site in the days of Solomon。 These were made ready for use； and much new material was provided； and soon the work was advanced to the point where the foundation stone must be laid。 This was done in the presence of many thousands who had assembled to witness the progress of the work and to give expression to their joy in having a part in it。 While the cornerstone was being set in position； the people； accompanied by the trumpets of the priests and the cymbals of the sons of Asaph； 〃sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord； because He is good； for His mercy endureth forever toward Israel。〃 Verse 11。
The house that was about to be rebuilt had been the subject of many prophecies concerning the favor that God desired to show Zion； and all who were present at the laying of the cornerstone should have entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion。 Yet mingled with the music and the shouts of praise that were heard on that glad day； was a discordant note。 〃Many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers； who were ancient men； that had seen the first house； when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes； wept with a loud voice。〃 Verse 12。
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It was natural that sadness should fill the hearts of these aged men； as they thought of the results of long…continued impenitence。 Had they and their generation obeyed God； and carried out His purpose for Israel； the temple built by Solomon would not have been destroyed and the captivity would not have been necessary。 But because of ingratitude and disloyalty they had been scattered among the heathen。
Conditions were now changed。 In tender mercy the Lord had again visited His people and allowed them to return to their own land。 Sadness because of the mistakes of the past should have given way to feelings of great joy。 God had moved upon the heart of Cyrus to aid them in rebuilding the temple； and this should have called forth expressions of profound gratitude。 But some failed of discerning God's opening providences。 Instead of rejoicing； they cherished thoughts of discontent and discouragement。 They had seen the glory of Solomon's temple； and they lamented because of the inferiority of the building now to be erected。
The murmuring and complaining； and the unfavorable comparisons made； had a depressing influence on the minds of many and weakened the hands of the builders。 The workmen were led to question whether they should proceed with the erection of a building that at the beginning was so freely criticized and was the cause of so much lamentation。
There were many in the congregation； however； whose larger faith and broader vision did not lead them to view this lesser glory with such dissatisfaction。 〃Many shouted aloud for joy： so that the people could not discern the noise
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of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people： for the people shouted with a loud shout； and the noise was heard afar off。〃 Verses 12； 13。
Could those who failed to rejoice at the laying of the foundation stone of the temple have foreseen the results of their lack of faith on that day； they would have been appalled。 Little did they realize the weight of their words of disapproval and disappointment； little did they know how much their expressed dissatisfaction would delay the completion of the Lord's house。
The magnificence of the first temple； and the imposing rites of its religious services； had been a source of pride to Israel before their captivity； but their worship had ofttimes been lacking in those qualities which God regards as most essential。 The glory of the first temple； the splendor of its service； could not recommend them to God； for that which is alone of value in His sight； they did not offer。 They did not bring Him the sacrifice of a humble and contrite spirit。
It is when the vital principles of the kingdom of God are lost sight of； that ceremonies become multitudinous and extravagant。 It is when the character building is neglected； when the adornment of the soul is lacking； when the simplicity of godliness is despised； that pride and love of display demand magnificent church edifices； splendid adornings； and imposing ceremonials。 But in all this God is not honored。 He values His church； not for its external advantages； but for the sincere piety which distinguishes it from the world。 He estimates it according to the growth of its members in the knowledge of Christ； according to their progress in
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spiritual experience。 He looks for the principles of love and goodness。 Not all the beauty of art can bear comparison with the beauty of temper and character to be revealed in those who are Christ's representatives。
A congregation may be the poorest in the land。 It may be without the attractions of any outward show； but if the members possess the principles of the character of Christ； angels