The word " synagogue " means a congregation, religious assembly, or house of instruction. In the time of the New Testament it denoted a fixed place of worship. Its study is the most important of all the institutions of worship, because it is more in harmony with the worship in the Christian church. The Jews worshiped in synagogues at the time the Savior was born, and it is not possible to separate the synagogue from the most intimate connection with our Lord's life and ministry. During his childhood he was taken by his parents to these synagogues where he received his scholastic training. The services of the synagogue he sanctioned and followed. It was in the synagogue that he read the Scriptures and expounded them to the astonishment of the Jews. He also displayed his power of healing in different synagogues. Every Christian should study with care the development of the worship that was carried forward in these houses of instruction which furnished the places for worship during the time of the Savior and his apostles. The synagogue worship was more spiritual than that of the tabernacle or temple, and therefore in many respects the church is a development from this institution which stands nearest her origin. It was in these houses of instruction that the Jews met three times each week to read and interpret the Holy Bible. It was this close study of the Word of Truth that prepared a remnant to receive the Savior when he came. The Bible must be studied systematically during this age if we expect the people to be prepared to meet the Savior at his next coming.

1. NECESSITY.

One institution follows another as new and higher demands are made. When the Tabernacle was too small the Temple was built. When the Temple was destroyed the Jews were scattered so they could not worship at one local center, and the synagogue originated. The Jews were found in every province, and it was necessary that they meet in different places to prepare themselves for the coming Messiah.

2. LOCATION.

Because the Jews were scattered they built synagogues every where, so that the faithful ones might be developed according to the Jewish law. Wherever ten Jewish families lived a house of assembly was to be erected. There were fifteen hundred synagogues in Palestine at one time; in the city of Jerusalem, four hundred and eighty. The following passages of Scripture, Prov. 1:21; Ex. 19:9, suggested to the Jews by traditional explanation the idea of location, and they selected the most elevated ground in or near the city, and no house was allowed to be higher than the synagogue. To make the synagogue more conspicuous a tall pole was raised from the roof so it could be seen from every point. Synagogues were built along the river side, outside the city, to avoid confusion and to have pure water for immersion.

3. STRUCTURE.

The size of the building varied according to the population. No law was given for the dimensions of the synagogue as for the Tabernacle and Temple. It was commonly erected at the expense of the district. Sometimes it was built by rich Jews, and in one instance by a friendly proselyte. Luke 7:5. When the building was finished it was set apart like the Temple, by special prayer of dedication. They regarded it as a consecrated building and would not allow it to be used in the common acts of life, eating, drinking, etc. If the building ceased to be used as a synagogue it was not to be used for any low and degrading purposes. It was built so that on entering the worshipers faced toward Jerusalem.

4. INTERNAL ARRANGEMENTS.

The congregation was divided, the men on the one side and the women on the other, with a partition about six feet high between them. In the more modern synagogue the separation was made more complete by placing the women in low side galleries screened off by lattice work. The rabbis based this practice on the teaching in Zech. 12:11-14.

(1) The Ark or Chest stood in the end of the building toward Jerusalem. This contained the books of the law which were wrapped in linen cloths.

(2) The Chief Seats, or 'place of honor," were arranged next to the ark or chest at the end of the building toward Jerusalem, but between the chest and the door. These seats were for the elders and persons of distinction in the Jewish Church. The Savior rebuked the scribes and Pharisees who strove for these seats of honor. Matt. 23:6.

(3) An Eight — branched Lamp, which was lighted on special occasions, stood in front of the ark.

(4) Reading Desk. — This stood near the center of the building upon a raised platform. The platform was large enough for the readers and those who expounded the Scriptures.

(5) Alms Boxes were placed at or near the door. One was to receive the money for the poor of Jerusalem and the other was to receive local charities.

(6) Notice Boards were placed in a conspicuous place and the names of all the transgressors, when they were dismissed from the synagogue, were written upon them.

(7) The Chest was the box that held the musical instruments and trumpets that were used in the different services.

5. OFFICERS OF THE SYNAGOGUE.

In the growth of synagogue worship some changes were made in the duties and appointments of officers.

(1) The Elders. — A variety of titles belonged to the elders that were appointed, and each with special significance. The College of Elders had the power of trying cases and the power of excommunicating. Luke?:3; Mark 5:35; Acts 18:8.

(2) The Ruler. — Where elders were appointed as a local Sanhedrin the ruler of the synagogue was the presiding officer at all their meetings. He was chosen from the elders and filled both places. His duties are stated as follows:

(a). To care for special worship.

(b) To preside at the elders' meetings.

(c) To appoint some one to read the Scripture and lead in prayer.

(d) To select fit persons to preach. Luke 8:49; 13:14; Mark 5:35; Acts 18:8.

(3) Receivers of Alms. — Matt. 6:2. Collections were taken in the synagogue, even when the civil and religious countries were not separated The collection was taken by two and distributed by three persons. There were other collections besides that o money. For fuller information examine the Mishna.

(4) The Chazzan or Sexton — His duties are as follows:

(a) To bring forth the Holy Scriptures from the Ark or chest and put them back again.

(b) To punish by scourging those who were condemned.

(c) To give instruction to children in reading. Luke 4:20.

(d) To take charge of the synagogue in general.

(e) To open the doors, light the lamps, sweep the rooms, etc.

(5) Ten Batlanim. — (Men of leisure.) These had to be pres ent at every service, which made a sufficient number for a legal congregation. They received a fee for this service because it prevented them from carrying on a business of their own. This arrangement was especially for the week day services and was adopted during the latter period of synagogue worship.

(6) Order of Service.

(a) The Benedictions. — Services were introduced by two benedictions which were recited by all.

(b) Reading the Creed. — The following passages of Scripture were then used as a sort of creed: Deut. 6:4—9; II:13—20; Num. 15:37—41.

(c) The Prayer. — Prayer was offered by the one appoint ed, the congregation making only certain responses, especially that of “ Amen." (Every adult member was prepared to offer a public prayer.)

(d) Reading the Scripture. — The same person that conducted the devotional services generally read the Scripture with the assistance of, at least, seven in number The first and the last of these were to pronounce a thanksgiving at the opening and the close. Scripture lessons were taken from the Law, Psalms and Prophets. A number of the historical books were included under the name " Prophets." The law was divided into a number of sections, so that it would be read every three years. On every Sabbath day the Law and Prophets were read, but on week —day services the reading was from the Law.

(e) Sermon or Lecture. — The reading was followed by an edifying lecture or sermon in which the portion of Scripture that was read was explained and applied The elders usually sat on the elevated seats during the time of preaching. Luke 4:20. The preaching was not confined to appointed persons, but these privileges were extended to any competent member of the congregation. Acts 13:15.

(7) Times of Worship. — More time was given for worship during this period than is allotted by many churches in this spiritual age.

The following days were set apart for special services.

(1) Monday, second day of the week.

(2) Thursday, fifth day of the week.

(3) Sabbath, seventh day of the week.

The worship on the Sabbath differed from that on Monday and Thursday, which were the two market days in the week.

At this service only three members of the congregation took part in the reading, and the reading was from the Law only.

(8) Mission. — The synagogue was intended to develop the spiritual life in the members of the Jewish church and remove them from the formal worship that the Law developed.

(1) It bound the Jews together when they were scattered among the heathen nations.

(2) It developed a new interest in the Word of God, as they met three times each week to pray, read and interpret.

(3) It had a religious influence on the heathen world that could not be produced through temple service.

(4) It prepared the Jewish nation to return from the captivity in 536.

(5) It developed a people to look for a higher system of hip than that given through the Mosaic Law.

(6) It furnished a place in which to unfold this new system when Christ and the apostles entered upon their mission.

(7) It developed a system of worship that was very similar to that adopted by the Christian church.

(8) It made Bible study the all — important duty of each one in order to receive the higher spiritual life.

This made each church member familiar with the Scriptures and prepared him to lead in public prayer service. This example should be followed by every member in the Christian church to develop this higher spiritual life Every individual church member should be prepared to take part in the public services, especially in prayer. The former prepared the Jews to look for the Messiah at the first coming; this will prepare the Christian to be waiting and working for the Messiah's second coming.

QUESTIONS.

• What does the word synagogue mean?
• How does synagogue worship differ from that of the Tabernacle and the Temple?
• What was Christ's work in the synagogue?
• Why was the synagogue a necessity?
• What was the location of the synagogue?
• By whom were the synagogues erected?
• How was the congregation divided?
• What were the articles of furniture?
• Where did the ark stand? For what was it used?
• What were the chief seats? Where did the lamp stand?
• What was the reading desk?
• Where were the alms boxes kept? What were the notice boards?
• Who were the officers of the synagogue?
• What were the duties of the elders?
• Who was the ruler? What were his duties?
• For what purposes were collections taken?
• What were the duties of the synagogue?
• Who were the ten batlanim?
• What was the order of service?
• What were the days of worship?
• What was the mission of the synagogue?