The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-07-05

ancient in origin, and profoundly respected
by the people. There is no doubt they were
sacred trihe-instructors of children and
youth, ceunselors of rulers, believers in
monotheism tone God)
It is generally held the Magi were Gen
tiles and hence The Epiphany is a season of
special rejoicing that Christianity is eesmo-
politan. The Magi were evidently descend
ants of Abraham. but not through Jacob.
The Cathedral in Cologne Claims it has the
skulls and other bones of the Magi.
1t is better to render the original (Magof)
Magi, than wise men," The margin of the
Revised Edition so translates.
The Syriac, Arabic, Latin and italian YER
sions leave the word Magoi (Magi) untrans-
lated, as is e. g., the case generally with the
word baptism.
We find Daniel was appointed the Master of
the Magicians. dan, 9 "a, 48; AZ; 5:11.)
The New Testament mentions two Magi:
a. Simon Magus. (Acts, SO, 1877 D. Ely
mas. (13:6, 8.
Milton, in his Hymn on Christ's Nativity,
calls the Magi Wisards.
Definitions.
/. Behold. vi. Their coming was IN
expected. 1t was also very wonderful act.
"Le," in V. 9, has the same original ana the
same idea of great surprise.
2. Worship. V. 2. The original (Greek)
| means literally to kiss to or towards-to kiss
the hand and so toss a kiss to another. So
we speak of throwing a kiss.
What is the force of the word in our lesson?
a. 1t is the veneration of the deyotee for
his God. Bengel, LANCE. Job, 1:20.
b. 1t is respect due from the subject to his
ruler. Barnes, Crosby. St. Matt, 10: 26;
20:20; Acts, 10: 25; Est, 6:3.
Whatconception had the Magi of the Child
Jesus?
Fell down." V. II gives the form of
real worship. Ps., ~: II; Isa., 46: g; Dam,
ST.
The word worship in " 8 really means
KILL
8. Demanded Va inquired
q. The words for thus it," etc, in " 5
and all of V. 6 are whose language? a. ST.
Matthew'S. Bloomfield, DIR. James Strong.
b. The Sanhedrim's. Barnes, BengeI, Crosby.
5. Inquired diligently. " Sought
exact information as to-critically ques-
tioned-pumped. By artful interrogation
he drew from them the desired knowledge
So the word diligently in V. 8 means
closely and critically. There is also the idea
of persistency. DID Herod think there
would be any attempt to conceal the Child
6. Opened their treasures V. IL. Rather
| opened the chests Baskets, bales, boxes, bags
that contained the treasures. The con-
tanned is mentioned (metonymy) for the
contained.
7. The gifts. V. II.
There were three kinds-gold, franklin
cense, myrrh. Gold, money it is thought
this was a provideniial supply, enabling
Jesus to be carried away from the cruelty of
Herod. Frankincense: white resin, or
gum, gotten by cutting into the bark of the
tree very fragrant when burned; one of the
ingredients in the recipe for the Temple
incense lex, 30 34) chiefly from Arabia;
bitter taste; tribute, it is believed, to the
divinity of Christ. Myrrh: gotten in the
same way as frankincense; used in embalm-
ing; one of the ingredients of the holy oil
used in the Temple (Ex., 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.
The East
The Magi came from the East. Nobody
has ever commented more beautifully on this
statement than the late Bishop Phillips
Brooks
Jerusalem is East for us. The East in
ancient times had been the home of myth
that man, by inward contemplation, might
so subdue his earthly elements that he might
come to know God, might come into some
inexplicable union with him, and might
somehow lose himself in Deity. On the
other hand, Jerusalem always stood for the
condescension of God to man. The East
means aspiration; Jerusalem means reve-
latiOn. The East means mans search after
God Jerusalem means Gods search after
man. The East means the religion of the
devout soul; Jerusalem means the religion
of mercful God. The East means Jobs
cry, '0h, that | knew where / might find
Him :; Jerusalem means Immanuel-GOd
with us. 1t was when Jesus was born in
Bethlehem that the wise men came from the
East unto jerusalem What do these words
mean? That it is by and in the birth of Jesus
that the religion of contemplation is carried
over into the religion Of obedience and trust,
and the search of man after God finds its
fulfllment in the gift of God to man."
Suggestions.
/. Do your part. Go to Christ. He aids
those coming; lights their way; clears their
road.
2. Be devout and you will not be troubled
at the prospect of Christ coming. The evil
are terrified to think the Redeemer is at
hand. NAL, 3:2: Rev, 1:Z)
3. Honor Christ though you be singular.
Never mind if the great refuse to notice him.
(St. John, S: 81 What a contrast between
the wise men and Herod! Perhaps when
they started for the west many called theirs
"a FOOLS Grand"
A. There are two sides-Herod's and the
Magi's.
s. Work for the heather. Salvation is for
the Gentiles.
g. Bring gifts to Christ Give him service,
prayers, hymns, love, pennies, dollars. Give
him your hearts and your money.
4. Go to Christ now. 1t is easy. He is
at hand. You will have no long journey.
49, Trust God. He can overturn the de-
vices of evil men.
q. Do not tell others the way to Christ
and yourself decline to 60 to him. (Job
5:12; Isa., 44:25.)
10, Have faith. The Magi believed.
Though many discouragements befell them,
they persisted till they reached the Babe.
Where Time-Skips "a Day.