j6 THE OLIVE LEAF. CHAP. 



upon all His works. It is His autograph written in 

 the stars of heaven and in the flowers of the field, 

 attesting that they all proceed from the same Mind. 

 The universe is a great kaleidoscope which He is 

 perpetually turning round, in which a few simple ele- 

 ments are exhibited in endless diversity ; in which the 

 variety is not more wonderful than the unity. 



i. In unfolding this sublime lesson, let us look, in 

 the first place, at the illustration of it which the taber- 

 nacle itself afforded. This remarkable structure was 

 one in regard to its parts. It was divided into two 

 rooms, the holy place and the most holy, by a veil 

 that hung between them. Only one man was permitted 

 to enter the inner apartment viz., the high priest; 

 and he only once a year, on the great day of atonement. 

 The outer sanctuary was daily frequented by the priests, 

 who, there, barefooted and clothed in their linen gar- 

 ments, accomplished their ordinary ministrations. But 

 although thus separated, the two divisions were essen- 

 tially one. The same boards of shittim wood enclosed 

 them ; they rested on the same silver sockets ; the 

 same curtains covered them, united by the golden 

 taches ; the same pillar of cloud rested over them ; 

 the same glory filled them. The ark in the holy of 

 holies was the focus to which all the parts, objects 

 and services, of the whole structure converged; the 

 culminating point to which they led up. The cherubim 

 which stood above the mercy-seat were embroidered 

 on either side of the dividing veil, so that those who 

 were in the outer sanctuary could form some idea of 



