The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-01-10

CONTACT anu COlluSlOH Ol udGlouS,
spread over the whole world, and, like
the first red streaks upon the horizon,
announced the approach of day"
The Persians were looking for their
conquerer and his kingdom. The
Chinese were pointed by Confucius, to
look for the coming of the Holy One,
who was to come from the west. As
were the wise men-Astrologers-
who come to Jerusalem seeking for
the new born king, declaring that
they had run his Star in the East,
and had come to acknowledge his as
their king. = x *
Respecting the Star Of the Magi if
is said: There was before the birth OF
Christ, f. years before the Dionysian
Era, conjunction of the planets,
Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars took place
in the constellation Pisces, to which
was added an extraordinary star, COM
pare Wiester's Chronologiache Syn
opse der vier Evang, 1S43, page 81"
Apostolic Church, page 1S4. p
This display of the power Of God is
no more than is seen many times in
the establishment of the Reign Of
Heaven. And we may with propriety
regard the star of the Magi. as one of
the last types pointing to Him who
declares himself to be the "Ofspring
Of David, and the bright and MORN
ING STAR"
In the second place, having noticed
that the coming of Christ was pre-
ceeded by gross darkness. Let us no
tice, that as the Star Of the Magi
arose on the Eastern horizon to guide
them where the infant King was
found. So Christ arose on the worlds
horizon, to guide man to the Foun-
tain of Everlasting life and joy.
This Star was not to shine for any
one nation, "But it shineth in every
cline" For every tribe, tongue, and
people. The Star, or in the language
of David, The ''Son of Righteous
ness" was first seen when Jesus rose
from the dead, and shown forth in all
his golden splendor when the Holy
Spirit descended on Pentecost-since
then the world enjoys the light of
day. x = x =
Aud as the Moon and rstars, were
sometimes obscured by clouds, so
the Mosaic religion before the coming
of Messiah was sometimes obscured
by the prevalence of idolatay, or ma
tional captivity. And as the Sun is
sometimes obscured by clouds, so the
bright light Of the STAR OF BErHLE-
REM, has been to some extent bedim-
med by error and superstition. But
it is an easy matter to distinguish
day from night, even if the Sun is
not visible; and if any one fails to see
that the Christian Era, is an improve
ment upon every thing before it, it is
because he is not familiar with his
tory, OR is dishonest with himself and
with God. For since the coming of
the Christ, the world has been illu-
minated by the effulegence which
radiates from the Cross, and no one
need walk in darkness.
Fellow workers, This Star is now
shining for us. 1t has been shining
for over 1900 yeass, and althou dim
med many times by the perversity of
man, yet its rays are resplendently
grand. They illuminate the waste of
waters over which we are sailing, and
light up the far off shore to which we
are travelling.
During the last year this school has
travelled in the light Of this Celestial
Orb and we trust made much advance
ment. Many who started in with us
last Christmas Eve to make years
journey, are not with us tonight.
Some have been claimed and taken by
the Monster Death, and others refus-
ed to be guided by the Bethlehem Star,
have wandered far away from God,
and tonight, are out on the ocean of
shadows WithoM hope and WithoM
God IN the acorld.
The year 1888, will soon be closed,
and u months more Of our history
finished. What we have accomplish
ed as coworkers in the Masters Vine
yard, will never be known, until ac-
counts of time, are balanced upon the
books Of eternity.
Many, no doubt, are the mistakes
we have made in our efforts to prepare
young hearts for Jesus, but we are
consoled with the thought, that we
have done something at least, in as
sisting them in finding Him who
said:
'Let the little ones come unto me
and forbid them not for such is the
Kingdom Of Heaven" x
We are about to enter as it were
upon an ew era. And | would say
to Superintendent and teachers. you
deserve great credit for the efforts you
have put forth during the last year
and for your untiring energy, in la
boring to inculcate upon the minds Of
your scholars, the cardinal principles
of Christianity. Yours is a noble
work, and your reward is great.
The Sunday School is the work of
s.l,.,l- e.. Il, e