Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-13
Lesson 3:
The Prophecy of Zacharias.

tions be blessed.
The visit of the Virgin TO Elizabeth
continued three months, and she then
returned to Nazareth. In the meantime
the promised son was born to Ilcharias
and Elizabeth and was welcomed by
their friends with great Joy. His father
at the time when the supernatural reve
latiou had been made that son was
to be born to him, asked for a sign that
so unexpected an occurrence should be
in reality fulfilled according to the
angelic promise, and as if to punish
him for this implied uubelef, and ut
the same time to give the sign, he was
struck with dumbness, and continued
thus for nine months, when, on the
occasion OF the circumcision of the
child his mouth was opened, and he
gave to the infant the name John.
This name took the people by surprise,
AS it was a new name in the family, and
they appealed to his father who, una.
BILE yet to speak, made signs that
board or tablet, covered with wax and
used for writing, should be gwen to
him, on which he inscribed the words,
"HS ,saue is ,JohH." Immediately the
power of speech was restored to him,
and the first use which he made of his
vocal ability was to break out in praises
10 God.
The expression. "Zacharias was filed
with the Holy Ghost" in verse 81,
simply means that he was endowed with
the spirit of prophecy and uttered what
he did by divine suggestion. The di.
vine ailiatus, as in the case OF Elizabeth
and Mary, seems to have taken a poetic
form, and Zlcharias shows himself also
n sacred poet of no common order.
This hymn, which compo,es our les.
son, is called the " Benedictus," from
its first word. 1t is a song Of praise,
aud Is divided into five stanzas, each Of
three lines. 1t contains two parts-the
first in verses GS-7j, and the second.
verses 1919. 1t is song of deliver.
ance and salvation in behalf OF the
Jewish people, which describes Gods
interposition in their behalf against
their enemies, and may be taken as
signifying both temporal and spiritual
prosperity. Ii contains plain rccos.
nition of the redecmng work OF the
Messiah, who is spoken Of tv. GgI as "a
horn of salvation and alludes to the
covenant mercies promised to Abraham
which were such precious heritage Of
the Jewish people.
The second part Of the Ben edictus
refers especially to John IS the pro.
phet OF the Highest" and forctells his
distinguished career and its glorious
results through the preaching of the
Gospel. 1t Is a very eloquent dcsCrip.
ton of the benignant effects OF the
proclamation of salvation, illustrating
II by the figure of a brilliant lumInary
dawning on a world OF darkness, usher.
ing in a new and brighter day. in the
sweet light of which the wandering and
benighted nations are to be guided into
the way of peace. Better days, bright.
er hopes. faIrer Joys are TO come TO the
poor world through "the tender mercy
of Goo and through the shining OF the
Son OF Righteousness, whose coming
John was to announce, and for whom
his preaching was to prepare the way
No finer figure could be employed to
describe the Gospel II il the day.
spring from on high at brings lie I
and immortality to light" II illumin.
ates the dark places OF sin and the sad
homes of sorrow, dispels the gloom OF
ignorance, and lights up the dark grave
with immortal spIendors.
PRACTICAL srGGgsrioxs.
|. Nine months of enforced silence
seem to have taught Itcharias all the
better to speak the praises Of God.
This is only one OF many illustrations
of the blessings of sanctiiied sorrow. IL
was a great atiijction TO this good man
to suffer so long deprivation OF speech
But we find him "a soon as the restraint
on his tongue was taken off using his
powers of speech in beautiful song TO
Gods praise. II takes God sometimes
long time to get his peoples hearts "a
tune, and the chords are sometimes
strained to the highest pitch OF tension
before their training Is complete, but
the melodies that come AZ last are sweet
and heavenly. "Whom the lord loveth
he chasteneth :" and hearts that have
been crushed, like the sandal wood,
give out their choicest perfume to the
faithful yet loving hand of our Heaven.
ly Father.
2. IL IL possible for Christians now to
be "hlled with the Holy Ghost v.67I.
The inspiration of the ancient pro
phets and Apostles may not indeed he
expected in our day, yet believers are
still the " temples Of the Holy Ghost"
will our lives be beautiful and holy and
heavenly.
3. Gods service implies no degrada
ton.
The "Benedictusn Of Zacharias makes
il a matter Of thanksgiving to Sod that
his people are enabled to "serve him
without fear" There is service which
honors those who perform it no less than
Him 10 whom it is performed. Such is
the service Of God. which is perfect
freedom. Christ's yoke Is easy and his
burden Is light. II patriots think 1t an
honor to serve their country. let us not
consider it any degradation to "serve
the Lord"
4. Johns life was a short one. but he
lived much, which is better than living
long.
lie had one work to do--to proclaim