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not be manifested as now； but each would cherish a kind regard for the
happiness and welfare of others； and such widespread destitution as is now
seen in many lands would not exist。
The principles which God has enjoined； would prevent the terrible evils that
in all ages have resulted from the oppression of the rich toward the poor
and the suspicion and hatred of the poor toward the rich。 While they might
hinder the amassing of great wealth and the indulgence of unbounded luxury；
they would prevent the consequent ignorance and degradation of tens of
thousands whose ill…paid servitude is required to build up these colossal
fortunes。 They would bring a peaceful solution of those problems that now
threaten to fill the world with anarchy and bloodshed。
（537）
Chapter 52
The Annual Feasts
There were three annual assemblies of all Israel for worship at the
sanctuary。 Exodus 23：14…16。 Shiloh was for a time the place of these
gatherings； but Jerusalem afterward became the center of the nation's
worship； and here the tribes convened for the solemn feasts。
The people were surrounded by fierce； warlike tribes； that were eager to
seize upon their lands； yet three times every year all the able…bodied men
and all the people who could make the journey were directed to leave their
homes and repair to the place of assembly； near the center of the land。 What
was to hinder their enemies from sweeping down upon those unprotected
households； to lay them waste with fire and sword？ What was to prevent an
invasion of the land； that would bring Israel into captivity to some foreign
foe？ God had promised to be the protector of His people。 〃The angel of
Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear Him； and delivereth them。〃
Psalm 34：7。 While the Israelites went up to worship； divine power would
place a restraint upon their enemies。 God's promise was； 〃I will cast out
the nations before thee； and enlarge thy borders： neither shall any man
desire thy land； when thou shalt go up to appear before the Lord thy God
thrice in the year。〃 Exodus 34：24。
The first of these festivals； the Passover； the feast of unleavened bread；
occurred in Abib； the first month of the Jewish year； corresponding to the
last of March and the beginning of April。 The cold of winter was past； the
latter rain had ended； and all nature rejoiced in the freshness and beauty
of the springtime。 The grass was green on the hills and valleys； and wild
flowers everywhere brightened the fields。 The moon； now approaching the
full； made the evenings delightful。 It was the season so beautifully
pictured by the sacred singer：
538
〃The winter is past；
The rain is over and gone；
The flowers appear on the earth；
The time of the singing of birds is come；
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land；
The fig tree ripeneth her green figs；
And the vines are in blossom；
They give forth their fragrance。〃 Song of Solomon 2：11…13； R。V。
Throughout the land bands of pilgrims were making their way toward
Jerusalem。 The shepherds from their flocks； the herdsmen from the mountains；
fishers from the Sea of Galilee； the husbandmen from their fields； and sons
of the prophets from the sacred schoolsall turned their steps toward the
place where God's presence was revealed。 They journeyed by short stages； for
many went on foot。 The caravans were constantly receiving accessions； and
often became very large before reaching the Holy City。
Nature's gladness awakened joy in the hearts of Israel and gratitude to the
Giver of all good。 The grand Hebrew psalms were chanted； exalting the glory
and majesty of Jehovah。 At the sound of the signal trumpet； with the music
of cymbals； the chorus of thanksgiving arose； swelled by hundreds of voices：
〃I was glad when they said unto me；
Let us go unto the house of the Lord。
Our feet are standing
Within thy gates； O Jerusalem。 。 。 。
Whither the tribes go up； even the tribes of the Lord； 。 。 。
To give thanks unto the name of Jehovah。 。 。 。
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem：
They shall prosper that love thee。〃 Psalm 122：1…6； R。V。
As they saw around them the hills where the heathen had been wont to kindle
their altar fires； the children of Israel sang：
〃Shall I lift up mine eyes to the hills？
Whence should my help come？
My help cometh from Jehovah；
Which made heaven and earth。〃 Psalm 121：1； 2 （margin）。
〃They that trust in the Lord
Are as Mount Zion； which cannot be moved； but abideth forever。
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem；
So the Lord is round about His people；
From this time forth and forevermore。〃 Psalm 125：1； 2； R。V。
539
Surmounting the hills in view of the Holy City； they looked with reverent
awe upon the throngs of worshipers wending their way to the temple。 They saw
the smoke of the incense ascending； and as they heard the trumpets of the
Levites heralding the sacred service； they caught the inspiration of the
hour； and sang：
〃Great is the Lord； and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God； in the mountain of His holiness。
Beautiful for situation； the joy of the whole earth；
Is Mount Zion； on the sides of the north；
The city of the great King。〃
Psalm 48：1； 2。
〃Peace be within thy walls；
And prosperity within thy palaces。〃
〃Open to me the gates of righteousness：
I will go into them； and I will praise the Lord。〃
〃I will pay my vows unto the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people；
In the courts of the Lord's house；
In the midst of thee； O Jerusalem；
Praise ye the Lord。〃
Psalm 122：7； 118：19； 116：18； 19。
All the houses in Jerusalem were thrown open to the pilgrims； and rooms were
furnished free； but this was not sufficient for the vast assembly； and tents
were pitched in every available space in the city and upon the surrounding
hills。
On the fourteenth day of the month； at even； the Passover was celebrated；
its solemn； impressive ceremonies commemorating the deliverance from bondage
in Egypt； and pointing forward to the sacrifice that should deliver from the
bondage of sin。 When the Saviour yielded up His life on Calvary； the
significance of the Passover ceased； and the ordinance of the Lord's Supper
was instituted as a memorial of the same event of which the Passover had
been a type。
The Passover was followed by the seven day's feast of unleavened bread。 The
first and the seventh day were days of holy convocation； when no servile
work was to be performed。 On the second day of the feast； the first fruits
of the y