The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-12-14
INTRODUCTION.

One reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.l
INTRODUCTION.
How full the Bible is of interesting literature
for old, young-men, women, children, edu-
Gated, ignorant. RICH poor-every body.
An eminent American scholar once declared.
In sublmity of thought, in grandeur OF con-
ception, in purity and elevation of moral prin-
ciple in the practical wisdom of its teachings,
and the universally and perpetuity OF their
application, and. above all, in the high and im-
portant character of its themes. the Holy Bible
is not even approached by any human compo-
stion."
The more we study the Bible the more we
shall be impressed with its uncomfortable value
The lesson now studied is very suitable for
Christmas Day. We generally consider the
visitation of the Magi to the Infant Savior as
associated with the day of his birth. In church
festivals, "The manifestation of Christ to the
Magi ia fixed on January the 9th, and is
called The Epiphany.
There is only one account of this event, that
given by st. Matthew.
ST.. MATTHEW, 2: LIZ.
l. Bethlehem.
Our Savior was born in Bethlehem as pro-
phecy had predicted he would be born there
Prophecy so indicated because He who inspired
prophecy so knew. Jesus remained there for
nearly one year after his birth. 1t was toward
the close of said year that event occurred
which necessitated his departure at once and
clandestnely. Bethlehem was q small city
about six miles south of Jerusalem. 1t was
noted as the birth place of David. the father OF
Solomon After Jesus left Bethlehem he never
returned. so far as We can learn from the Cos
pels or OF her history. Though at Jerusalem
goodly number of times after attaining man.
hood. he failed to go to Bethlehem. The city
must always remain full of interest with such
rich historic associations. Even yet il is a
place of considerable Importance, and all travel
ers in Palestine have q special longing to visit
that place. It was in Judea, or Juda. The
time when Bethlehem is specially crowded;
when peoples from all over the world can be
seen there-when, in fact, crowds press on each
other and even much disturbance is created
ia Christmas Day.
9. Herod.
The King Of all that region of country in the
time of Christ's Nativity was Herod the Great.
He was not an independent ruler. but rather a
Governor under the Roman Emperor. He
lived for about one year after the birth of
Christ. He was the founder of the family of
Herods who figure so much in Gospel history,
and whose influence was felt both against ST.
John the Baptist aud Christ.
3. Wise Mem
1t is supposed they came from Persia, dis
lance of about 600 miles from Jerusalem.
A tradition declares that Zoroaster foresaw
the birth of Christ and told the eminent Magi
to be on lookout for Star which was to appear,
and directed them, OIL its appearance. to follow
it and find the newborn King. The Persisns
were worshipers Of God under the symbol OF
fire. and very observant of the presence of fire
in any form.
1t is said there were three OF the Magi-
Mechor, Jasper, Balthazar.
The Armenians of to-day hold that the wise
men were Armenans. aud they claim the Star
was first seen in their country.
The Magi were sect consisting of Persian
priests, philosophers, men of letters. 1t would
be better not TO translate the word Magi. The
lives Of these men were given to the study OF
science, human and divine. Medicine was
much cultivated. So. too. astronomy. but it
amounted to little more than astrology.
If the wise men, called, had not before
been wise, they were entering the ways of wis
dom indeed when they went to Christ.
Prof. Rawiinson claims the Magi were a we'll
organized body, strong hierarchy, very
cient in origin. and profoundly respected by
the people. There is no doubt they were
sacred tribe-nstructor5 of children and
youth, counselors of rulers, believers in mono
theism Zone GOd).
1t is generally held the Magi were Gentiies,
and hence The Epiphany is season of special
rejoicing that Christianity ia cosmopolitan.
The Magi were evidently descendants of Abra-
ham, but not through Jacob.
The Cathedral in Cologne claims it has the
skulls and other bones of the Magi.
A. The Magi in Art.
Paul Veronese (Cagliari), 1530-1555, gave
the world noted painting, Alteration of the
Kings" 1t was in Dresden Gallery. In 1894
the Russian Government bought it for 100000.
to be placed in the Cathedral built on the spot
VIII Alexander I WAS assassiDated
Burne Jones painted alteration of the
MagI" for the Birmingham (Eng.) Art Gallery.
Mr.. Van Dyke exerted his artistic talent in
this same line.
AIdrobondini, in 1881, had an ivory cross
which represented THE Alteration of the
Magi." The carving is Gothic-bue ground
gided ornaments. arabesque colOrs. There are
certain inscriptions. 1t was sold some time ago
in Florence.
5. Herod and the Magi.
That was an interesting interview. Herod
was Jealous. He wanted no rival. He was
King of the Jews. There should be no other.
he said. But how cool, and calculating, and
deceiving. The wise men did not suspect
that under his inquring and seemingly sill
cere exterior there was a murderous spirit.
He put on the cloak Of religion. He said he
wanted also to go and worship the newborn
King.
6. The Gifts
There were three kinds-gold, franklin
cense, myrrh. Gold, money: it is thought
this was providential supply, enabling Jesus
to be carried away from the cruelty of Herod.
Frank incense: a white resin, or gum, gotten
by cutting into the bark of the tree; very fra
grant when burned; one of the ingredients in
the recipe for the Temple incense (Exr 30: 34)
chiefly from Arabia; bitter taste; tribute, it
is believed to the divinity of Christ. Myrrh:
gotten i'll the same way as frankincenso; used
in EN- balming; one of the ingredients of the
holy oil used in the Temple lex, 80. 23); trees
in Arabia and Africa. 1t was the Oriental
custom when visiting, to take presents. If the
wise men were three in number, it is thought
each brought his respective gift.
IL Z. Conclusion.
Let us go to Christ. Follow the Light.
Take gifts. Adore Jesus.
"A story is told, among the Russian peasants.
of an old woman who was at work in her house
when the wise men from the East passed by on
their way to find the infant Christ, guided as
they were by the Star going before them in the
sky. Come with u.s. they said, we are going
to find the heavenly Child come with u.s. i
will come she replied, but not just now but
| will follow very soon, and overtake you and
find him. But when her work was done the
wise men had gone and the star in the heavens
had disappeared and she never saw the infant