The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""242 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.only the Ark of the Lord, how much more fittingis it to decorate our churches, which contain theLord of the Ark? When I see a church tastefullythat the Master is atornamented, it is a sure signhome, and that His devoted subjects pay homage toHim in His courtWhat beauty, what variety, what charming pictures are presented to our view in this temple ofnature which we inhabit ! Look at the canopy ofheaven. Look at the exquisite pictures painted bythe hand of the divine Artist on this earth. Consider the lilies of the field I say to you thatnot even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed asone of these." If the temple of nature is so richlyadorned, should not our temples made with handsbear some resemblance to it?How many professing Christians must, like David,reproach themselves for dwelling in a house of1cedar, while the ark of God islodged with skins."How many are there whose private apartments areadorned with exquisite paintings, who affect to bescandalized at the sight of a single pious emblem intheir houses of worship? On the occasion of thecelebration of Henry W. Beecher s silver wedding,several wealthy members of his congregation adornedthe walls of Plymouth church with their privatepaintings, Their object, of course, in doing so wagnot to honor God, but their Pastor. But if theportraits of men were no desecration to that church,1 II. Kings vii. 2.