The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1892-12-20
CHRISTIAN eNoEAYoR.
Topic for the Week ncginning Dec. +,
Comment BY Rev. S. II. DOYLE,

Topic for the yveeIx Bcginning Dec. 60.
Comment by Rev. S. II. Doyle.
ToPlc.--What gifts thal No bring TO Shem2
Mnth IL, I'LL; Heb. Kill, 10, 10.
1t is of course unnecessary that, God
should carry on his work by tho agency
of men. He could send angels from
heaven to preach his Gospel, rs he sent
them to Lot and afterward to Cornelius
But this is not his plan. He could have
made all men equally rich and giving
unnecessary, but for wise reasons no
doubt did not do so. He has made a
great gift to man. Hewants MS to mako
gifts through his Son, and also to give
literally and freely to all in need about
us. This Christmas week is very ap-
propriate time for us to ask ourselves,
What gifts shall we bring to him-that
is, to Christ?
1. We should give the best of what we
have (Math. ii, 1-11). In this reference
we see the wise men Of the east coming
TO do homage to the newborn heavenly
king. Following the custom Of eastern
countries upon such occasions, they bring
rich gifts to him and such as must have
been their best gifts. They brought gold,
offered chiefly to kings and gods; frank
incense, transparent gum of bitter
taste and fragrant odor, used in sacri-
fees and temple worship; myrrh, an aro-
matte gum, used for several purposes,
but especially as an ingredient of a
precious ointment. These gifts were
very costly. They were the best possible
gifts. Christ wants our best gifts, and
will be satisfied with no other. God had
a blessing for Abel's gift, because it was
the best Of his hocks and herds, but with
Gains he showed no favor, because it
was not the best. In all the Jewish sac
rifices the best part Of the offering was
given to God. 1t is mistake to think
we can bring to God our poorest gifts
and receive his blessing. Christ wants
the best love of our hearts, the best
thoughts of our brains, the best words of
our tongues, the best labor of our hands.
He wants these to be given cheerfully
and literally. Remember, too, in Civ
ing to the poor and needy we also give
to the Master, for he has said, "Inas-
much as We did it unto one of the least
of these, my brethren, ye did it unto
me-" Out of what God has given us,
then, let US give bountifully and without
'grudging, give to his cause at home and
abroad, give to his poor and needy, give
the best gifts.
2. The praise of our voices and aims
deeds of our lives (Heb. xiii, Is, 16).
Here the apostle urges us (a) to "offer
the sacrifice of praise to God contin-
ually." This includes alteration and
prayer as well as songs of praise, and is
to be rendered to Christ as well as God ,
as the angels taught us in the songs the
first Christmas morning, and (b) ito do
good and to communicate forget not,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased"
We are not to content ourselves with
mere lip service, but must communicate
to the needs of the souls and bodies of
men, and must offer our Christian char
ity as IL sacrifice upon his altar.
Bible References-Gen. iv, 81; xviii,
20-22; Deut. XIV, 1921; Chron. xxx,
8; Ps. Xxi, 10; elk, 1; Isa. X, @; Math.
x, 8; XIV, 1916; Luke vi, 3S; II Cor.
viii, so; Phil. iy, Is; Acts, iii, 6; vi, A;
Xxx, 35.