The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1890-01-30
fHs PRESENTATION.

LESSON TExT-Luke 2:25-S6.
GOLDEN TExT-A light to tighten the
Gentiles, and the glory Of thy people
Israel.-Luke 2:32.
T1ME-Early in February, B. G. 4,
forty days after the last lesson.
PLACE - The temple at Jerusalem,
where Joseph and Mary had gone for
one day, from Bethlehem, to present the
child Jesus to the Lord. John the Bap-
tist was young babe seven or eight
months old.
JEsUs-Born the last Of December, b.
c. 8, was circumcised on the eighth day,
and named Jesus, the same as Joshua, 1.
o., Saviour" or ''Jehovah the Saviour"
The family were still living at Bethle-
hem. The next event was the presenta-
ton at the temple, when Jesus was
forty days old. Tho visit Of the wise
men from the East was probably little
later.
ExPLANAToRY-I. The Presentation to
the Lord in the Temple. When Jesus
was forty days old the Holy Family
went up from Bethlehem to perform
two ceremonies required by tho Jewish
law. The first was that Of the ceremo.'
nial publication Of Mary, described in
Lev. 12. For this, two offerings were
required-a lamb for burnt offering,
and turtle dove or young pigeon for a
sin offering. But any poor person might
substitute another turtle dove or young
pigeon for the lamb, as we see that Ma
ry did (Luke 1924. This was distinctly
called "the poor's Offering" (Talmud),
and shows the moderate circumstances
Of the family. A lamb was worth sew
enty-fve cents Tor the wages of five or
dinary days work), while turtle dove
was worth about eight cents, and some
times was as low as two cents.-Eder-
sheim. The other ceremony was the
Redemption Of the First-born, common
ly in the case of Jesus called the Pre-
sentation tn the Temple, because in His
case the ceremony was performed in the
temple, though this was not necessary,
but it could be performed by any priest.
Every frst-born male child, like the first
fruits Of the farm, was consecrated to
God, belonged to Him, because the first
born Of the children of Israel had been
plCoCINCu lEoul JuC oCoUIoyCE WIN blOW
the first-born Of all the Egyptians (Ex.
1872; 13-15). The oldest sons would nat
urally become the priests and religious
teachers Of the people. But God after.
wards chose the whole tribe Of Levi for
these services instead of the first-born
(Num. 3:12, l3). In recognition of this,
the first-born son was consecrated to
God, and redeemed to the family by the
payment Of five shekels (S2.75) Mum. 8:
44-4s; 1910.
II. The Picture of an Aged Saint
Vers. 25-2s. 25. And, behold, there was a
man in Jerusalem, whose name pas Simeon
The same as Simon ("Listening').
Nothing is known Of this aged saint, ex-
cept what is here revealed; but his pres
ent holy state must have been the rip
ened fruit of long years of true living,
and Of communion with God. 2s. Then
took he Him up IN his arms. Recognizing
that this was tho Messiah he had been
waiting for, according to the promise.
And blessed God. Gave Him thanks and
praise.
III. His Song Of Praise. e.-Vers. 29-32.
20. Lord. Master. Mow. At last,
after long waiting. Lettest thou. Not q
prayer, but statement of fact; "now
thou art letting" Thy sercant depart Il,
peace. BE released, discharged from his
long service by death. Simeon repre-.
sents himself under the image of O
sentinel whom his master has placed on
an elevated position and charged tc
look for the appearance of star, and
then announce it to the world. He sees
this long-desired star; he proclaims Its
rising, and asks to be relieved of the
post he has occupied so long. Accordins
to thy cord. The revelation mentioned
in verse 20.
Nv. The Aged Saints Benediction.-
Vers. 1885. 33. And Joseph and Hi
mother marre,ed They were wondering
at what he was saying, both as coming
from stranger, and because of ths
boundless extent of benefits which he
predicted, reaching to the ends of the
world.-Bliss. "a. And Simeon blessed
them. Pronounced blessing upoI
them.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
II Vcr' @o' N truly Booo man lS al
ways both just and devout. A just lif
without spirituality is beautiful hous,
without windows, body without soul
.. On the other hand, devoutnes
without Righteousness is but the sunse
light on the clouds, a passing glory, no
"a burning and shining light"
8. The good man is always waiting
for the salvation of the world, by hol,
living, by earnest efforts, and his stronI
faith In God feeds his hope.
4. Vers. 25-27. The Holy Spirit is tn,
source of a good life, inspires goot
deeds, gives clear vision, guides tn,
conduct.
8. The good man always yields to the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, remem
bering that the Spirit guides by tn,
Word of God, by tho reason and con
science, quite as much as by impress
ing the feelings.
| 8. Yer. 20. None in our Sabbath
| AChOO1a uaa1 1io without coos.- !,