The  ephod  was  used  in  the  priestly  ministrations,  and
specially  in  seeking  to  learn  the  mind  of  God.  The
teraphim  appear  to  have  been  also  used  for  the  purpose
of  obtaining  oracular  responses.  This  part  of  the  de-
scription, therefore,  implied  that  the  priestly  office
would  cease  in  Israel,  and  that  all  attempts  to  obtain
the  direction  of  what  we  may  call  the  living  voice  of
God  would  be  given  over.  In  the  destruction  of  Jer-
usalem and  the  subsequent  troubles  which  fell  upon
Judea,  the  entire  priesthood  perished,*  and  since  that
time  there  has  been  neither  ephod  nor  teraphim  in
Israel.  The  Rabbi  has  taken  the  place  of  the  priest,
and  the  unpretentious  and  far-off  worship  of  the  syn-
agogue has  succeeded  to  the  solemn  service  and
the  near  access  of  the  Temple.  But  behind  all  the
wrath  there  is  mercy.  Judgment  paves  the  way  for
blessing.  Hosea  continues:  "Afterward  shall  the
children  of  Israel  return,  and  seek  the  Lord  their  God,
and  David  their  King;  and  shall  come  with  fear  unto
the  Lord  and  to  His  goodness  in  the  latter  days"  (Hos.
iii.  5).  The  fulfillment  of  the  previous  words  tells
that  these  last  are  also  remembered,  and  that  God's
arm,  "though  strong  to  smite,  is  also  strong  to  save."

CONCLUSION.
We  began  with  the  question,  "What  are  we  to  be-
lieve?"— has  it  been  answered?  Let  me  remind  the
reader  of  two  things.  On  one  of  them  we  are  all
agreed.  No  one  can  lift  the  vail  which  hides  the
future,  and  become  the  historian  of  the  days  that  are
yet  to  be.    Not  even  the  most  experienced  or  the  most

*  History  of  the  Jews,  iii.,  p.  414.
