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I. THE ERECTION OF THE TEMPLE. The building of the temple at Jerusalem was a grand work. But this grand work, we are informed, was wrought in silence; and when we consider the nature and dimensions of the material used, this seems very extraordinary. Some of the blocks of stone were 80 feet long, 10 feet high, and 14 feet wide. Its pillars were socketed in solid masonry. Yet these ponderous masses were hewn, squared, fitted without the sound of a hammer, an axe, or any tool. This silence not only demonstrated that the work was Divine, but symbolised the mode in which the Eternal works out His vast designs.

II. THE PROCESSES OF NATURE. He who built all things is God. How did He rear this grand temple of the universe, compared to which the building on Mount Moriah is a mere atom? How did He round and burnish and set ageing the innumerable worlds and systems that roll throughout immensity? Without any sound of "hammer," or "axe," in infinite silence. How does He bring round the various seasons of the year, change the aspects of the landscape, draw up the herbs, the plants, and flowers, from the silent earth, and build up the majestic trees of unnumbered forests? It is all done in silence. "In solemn silence all" grow and all move, flourish, and decay.

III. THE EDIFICATION OF CHRISTLY SOULS. All virtuous souls are His building, His temple to dwell in. But how does He build them up in true knowledge in unbounded confidence in the truth, and invincible love for all that is right, beneficent, and Divine? In the most silent way. How did He, the great Architect, begin this work in Christ? He did "not strive nor cry, neither did any man hear His voice in the streets." Thus now He proceeds, He inbreathes a regenerating, holy thought silently into the soul, and there it works and works until it builds up the temple of a noble character. CONCLUSION.

1. Do not judge of the prosperity of any Church by its boisterous sounds. All Divine operations are in silence. In the working of human machinery, the grating noise and rattling din are often insufferable to the ear; but how noiselessly works the stupendous and complicated mechanism of the great universe! Scarcely a sound is heard where God's hand is most manifest.

2. Do not endeavour to promote any Divine cause by noise and bluster°

In silence mighty things are wrought,

Silently builded thought on thought,

Truth's temple greets the sky.

And like a citadel with towers,

The soul with her subservient powers

Is strengthened silently.

Soundless as chariots on the snow,

The saplings of the forest grow

To trees of mighty girth.

Each nightly star in silence burns,

And every day in silence turns

The axle of the earth.

The silent frost with mighty band

Fetters the river and the land

With universal chain,

And smitten by the silent sun,

The chain is loosed, the rivers run,

The lands are free again.

(Homilist.)

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KJV: And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

WEB: The house, when it was in building, was built of stone prepared at the quarry; and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.