Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-27
Lesson ):
Simeon and the Child Jesus.

days. Ca the eighth day the child was
circumcised, and the name Jesus. which
is the Greek form OF the Hebrew
Joshua, and means n Saviour was
formerly given to him. According to
the Mosaic law, his parents then brought
him TO the temple TO present him be-
fore the Lord, and to offer the sacrifices
which were prescribed for such occa.
sions. These were pair OF turtle
doves, or two young pigeons. The
mother of the child to be presented
was expected to take her place III the
court OF the women, directly after the
offering of morning incense, and after
the trumpets had given the signal for
morning prayer. Their offerings were
then presented, and thanks were given
to God for the mothers recovery. Then
the priest sptinkled some OF the blood
of the sacrifices upon them and pro.
nounced them clean, which ended the
ceremony. This offering of children
was confined to males, and this was in
memory of tue soaring OF the trst.born
in Egypt, and at first each first born son
was TO be devoted to the priestly Office.
tSee Exodus l3 !, and Mum. $ ~
Subsequently God selected the tribe of
Levi tor the priesthood, and command.
ed that other male infants should be
redeemed by the payment OF five shek.
els for each. Mum. 4i-5l.) 1t was
in conformity TO this regulation that
the child Jesus was at this time present.
ed in the temple for redemption.
At this time there was dwelling in
Jerusalem an aged man named Simeon,
or Simon, of whom we know nothing
except what we are told in verse 2G,
that he was a Just and devout man,
who was waiting in hope and prayer for
the coming Of Him for whom so many
of Gods ancient people were waiting,
and who was to be, or to bring, "the
consolation of Israel" 1t seems that
this good man had been especially dis.
tinguished by a revelation from God
that he should see the Messiah before
his own death. At this time, Simeon,
guided by divine impulse, came into
the temple, and met Joseph and Mary
at the conclusion of the interesting
service in which they were engaged.
Taking the infant Jesus in his arms and
giving thanks to God. this holy man ut.
tered the impressive words of the
"Nmc dlmiMs, recorded in verses 2g-32.
and expressed his readiness to depart
this life after the blessed revelation
which he now enjoyed. He had seen
that for which he had waited long In
faith and patience he had witnessed
the coming of the promised "Salvatlon;'
he had seen the dawning Of the light
which was to Tighten the GeutIles, and
the coming Of Him who was to be the
" glory OF Israel" II was indeed Joy
iul moment to the aged patriarch,
and he was now ready to depart in
peace.
Turning to Joseph and Mary, Simeon
addres sed to them the solemn and i'm.
pressive words in verses "a and 3j, with
which the lesson closes.
His words describe the results OF
Christ's appointed work. He was set
for the fall and rising again OF many in
Israel, and for "a sign which should be
spoken against"
This means that they who looked for
a temporal Messiah and great earthly
kingdom would be disappointed. but
that they who hoped for and would ac.
cept spiritual Saviour aud his spiritual
kingdom would be exalted. lie also
predicted that the sad fate OF the in.
fant Jesus, who was to die on the cross.
would be like mortal wound in Mary's
loving heart, and that Christ would
present in his work test by which
mems hearts would be tried and their
real characters be revealed.
The words of Simeon were wonderful
to Joseph and Mary, as they added
fresh confirmation to what had been
already communicated to them in con.
nection with the extraordinary event
which had occurred in their house
hold.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
]. 1t is saying much for Simeon, that
he was both a ytst and detqR man.
These two features Of Christian
character are needful, each to the other
a Just man may be rigidly and legally
righteous. yet his character may be hard
and cold but dcrom man is one of a
warmer, gentler spirit, who is not only
good, but who makes goodness attract
iUc. We are eniolned to think not only
of things that are right but of things
that are lovely" and to worship the
Lord in the beauty Of holiness Sim.
cons deyout spirit adorned his justice,
and his just spirit strengthened his de.
votion.
2. No Christian grace is finer than
the grace that wois for the consolation
of Israel.
David says ait is good for a man to
hope and quietly wait Tor the salvation
OF the Lord" Waiting il higher than
working. The passive virtues of the
Christian require and display greater
faith and a profounder humility than
the active.
There is no grander trait in Gods
character thar his forbearance, which is
chiefly waiting, for il as Omnipotence
ererfed on OmHipotcHce hso{fPf
To those who wait in faith, submis.
sion, and holy living, the consolation
Of israel will always come. 81 waited
patiently on the Lord, and he inclined
unto me, and heard my cry"
3. All Christians may not depart in
raptures, but they may at least expect
To " depart in peace"