Article March 25, 1905 Issue

Consecrated Oil

EMMA LUTZ.

In the tenth chapter of John, we are told that Jesus was at Jerusalem at the "feast of the dedication," which some historians designate the "Dedication of the Altar," and others the "Lights," one of the observances being the illumination of the temple for eight days. A tradition says that when the temple-services were restored by Judas Maccabeus, when the Temple at Jerusalem was once more purified and re-dedicated to the service of God, the consecrated oil used for the illumination of the altar was found to have been desecrated. Only one flagon of that which was pure was found, sealed with the signet of the High Priest, This supply was thought to be only sufficient to feed for one day the sacred candlestick, but by a seeming miracle the flagon was continually replenished during eight days, till a fresh supply could be brought from Tekoah. Part of the observance was the lighting of eight candles on the first day and the extinguishing of one each day, till, on the eighth day, there was but one burning, when the eight were relighted. Was not this a prophecy of the revelation of the New Jerusalem and the true Temple-worship? The desecrated oil seems to represent the human sense which had become darkened, so that when the true temple-worship was to be restored, there was no "oil" pure enough to use in the sacred candlestick. Jesus represented the one flagon that was pure, sealed with the signet of the most High. Although his teachings were thought to be available only for his day, the light he kindled was kept burning, even though dimly in the latter days, until a fresh supply of oil came through Christian Science. The Tekoites from whom the fresh supply of oil was obtained were renowned for their activity in repairing the walls of Jerusalem, and those who keep the light of Divine Science burning should be no less active in strengthening the walls of the "New Jerusalem," and thus shall they be found worthy to furnish the "consecrated oil."

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