The ships and sailors were furnished by Hiram, king of Tyre.

Judea did not afford a sufficient supply of cedar wood, and Solomon made arrangements with King Hiram for as much as he should need of firs and cedars from Mount Libanus. Thirty thousand men were employed in hewing trees and conveying them to the sea, eighty thousand were engaged in the mountain quarries, cutting and polishing stones, and seventy thousand were constantly employed in transporting materials. When a sufficient quantity had been prepared, King Hiram sent to Solomon a man named also Hiram, a renowned architect. Under his direction the work proceeded so prosperously that the time from the laying of the first stone to the completion of the whole, was but seven years and six months.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE.

HE temple was built on Mount Moriah, and

THE

the greater part consisted of vast courts paved with variegated marble, and surrounded by covered porticoes supported by columns. The mountain side was graded so that each court was perfectly level, and communicated with the one above by a flight of steps.

What preparations did he make for building a temple? Describe Temple Courts

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE.

81

On the summit of the Mount was the Court of Israel, containing the great altar of sacrifice, also the sanctuary, or holiest part of the temple.

The Sanctuary was about one hundred and five feet in length and thirty-five in width. It was divided into two parts: the outer chamber, or Sanctuary, which was the larger, and the inner portion, or Holy of Holies. Both of these apartments were paved with precious marble, and the walls and ceiling were covered with plates of pure gold, fastened with studs or nails of the same metal. Carved figures, richly wrought, ornamented every part.

The Holy of Holies was separated from the Sanctuary by folding doors of cedar wood overlaid with gold. These were concealed by a veil of purple, violet, scarlet, and silk, on which were wrought figures of cherubim. It was the veil corresponding to this one in Solomon's Temple, that was afterward rent in two when Our Lord expired on the cross. There was placed in the Holy of Holies the Ark of the Covenant, which was overshadowed by the wings of two golden Cherubim. The High-priest entered within the veil once in the year; and while Israel continued faithful to God, visions and revelations were frequent in the holy place.

It would be impossible to describe the furniture of the Temple; the golden altar of incense, and the golden candlesticks which stood in the Sanctuary, also

Describe the Sanctuary-the Holy of Holies. What is said of Jurniture!

censers, vessels for perfumes, bowls, mortars of gold, and a vast number of utensils necessary for divine service. Along the walls were garlands of lilies and pomegranates, and golden palm-trees standing out in full relief.

CHAPTER XL.

DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE (B. C. 999).-FALL AND DEATH OF SOLOMON (B. C. 971).

HAVING completed the Temple, Solomon

prepared to dedicate it in a solemn manner to Almighty God. The people assembled in vast numbers and the ceremonies of the dedication were conducted with great magnificence. God was pleased to show his acceptance of this homage, for as the priest and people chanted together: "The Lord is good, and His mercy endureth forever," a cloud of glory descended and filled the Temple. Fire also came down from Heaven and consumed the holocausts, so that the people fell prostrate on the ground, adoring God.

The Fathers of the Church make many reflections upon the magnificence displayed by Solomon, and the great reverence which was shown toward the holy place. They consider the far greater sanctity of the most humble chapel in which the Holy Sacrifice is now offered, and the obligation imposed upon every true believer of showing proper respect to the house of God. In Solomon's Temple were the Tables of the Law, while upon our altars we adore Jesus Christ, the Giver of the Law, really present under the sacramental forms.

Describe the Feast of the Dedication.