The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-12-19
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Prepared by H. K. Hlnde, A. M, NJ. D.
The Birth Of Christ.
Luke 2:S-20.


PAE M.NtEI rL.tE ".
This ~oiid was lost in sir q. n.cls- -
Redeemer; and the 'iullness Of time''
had come for his appearance upon the
earth. That the moral condition Of the
world needed a Redeemer, at this time.
when Rome was mistress OF the world,
and at the height OF her intellectual
supremacy. read Romans 1:21-32 and see
what o horrible picture Of human de-
pravity is there revealed. In reading the
Parliament of Religions we End some
beautiful systems of morality, some lofty
thoughts and high ideals among the
heather nations OF the world; but what
this world most needs is n Saviour from
sin, and a way to heaven, And there
could be but one Saviour and one way.
"God SO loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten son, that whatsoever be-
iieveth on him, SHOULD not perish, but
have everlasting liie."
The coming OF this Saviour had been
promised to Adam, to Abraham, to ia
cob, to David; aud %prophesied by Isaiah
and Daniel, and the sacriGcial ceremo-
MES OF the Jews.
All the years preceding had been out a
preparation for this greatest event In the
worlds history. Rome was almost the
universal government, and the world
was at peace. Through the couquests OF
Alexander the Great language had been
disseminated among the eastern nations
and become the vehicle for p~ropagating
the true religion. The Jews had been
dispersed throughout all lands and car
ried with them the Old Testament scrip
lures containing the prophecies Of thu
Messiah.
CHRIST BORN IN BETHLEHEM.
Here we are back again in the little
town where a few weeks ago, in our
studies, We LETT Naomi and Ruth and
Bosz. Little did they dream, that,
through the happy union of hearts, in
their line OF descent, SO soon should be
born, on this spot, the Redeemer of the
world. BY a strange combination OF
Providence was the prophecy fulflled
that fixed the southern Judean town as
the birth place Of Jesus. The angelic
Rnnunciation had been made to hilary up
In her northern Galilean town OF Naza-
rath, but no intimation given that else
where than in their own native home
should this great event transpire. But so
1t was, that through the decree Of Angus
tus, they came to their aucest al home to
be enrolled in accordance with jewish
custom, In Imagination we can follow
Joseph and Mary, az they leave their
humble Nazarath home and slowly weDd
their way, some eighty miles to Bethle-
hem. He doubtless walked by her side
.-l n.raf,,lI, f.1 st.. .,- ,,.s. zL.-L.
Mary sat. How they must nave talked
by the a as they passed those historic
spots that lay between these extreme
towns, and pondercd ia their hearts the
strange announcement Of the angel, and
wondered what should come OF this
strange conception, this miraculous
child, that should soon he born to them.
Arrived at their destination, SO great was
the crowd OF visitors that they were
forced to take refuge in a staule, hewn
out OF the rock, and attached to the inn,
for the accommodation OF the beasts OF
the travellers. Here the Saviour OF the
world was bornl "She wrapped him la
swGddhug clothes aud laid him in a
manger."
THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE SHEPHERDS.
While those obscure peasants were
thus humbly housed and uunoticed amid
the crowd; and while the wall OF this
poor helpless infant was UNDECIDED by the
passers by on this wintry night; not SO
In the courts of heayenl Here was an
event that ELECTED the sympathy and
wonder Of the angels.
As the lowly shepherds were keeping
watch over their flock oy night among
the same hills where David led his shep-
herd life, "the angel of the Lord came
upon them and the glory OF the Lord
shone around about them, and they were
sore afraid. And the angel said unto
them, Fear not: for behold bring you
good tidings Of great Joy, which shall DO
TO all people. For unto you is born this
day in the city Of David a Saviour, which
is Christ tire Lord
The sign by which they should test the
truth of this announcement was, that
they 'should find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes lying in a manger."
sand suddenly there was with the
angel n multitude OF heavenly hosts
praising God and saying, Glory to God in
the highest, and IN earth peace, good
will towards men,"
What a stupendous event this must
have been TO call forth such a heavenly
host and such Inscriptions Of praise from
the inhabitants OF heavenl 1t Is said
the "angels desired to look into these
thingg." They had some conception o.
what this event meant. 1.-THE plan Of
salvation through Jesus Christ SO in.
fnitely wise, 30 infinitely loving, mani.
tests Gods glory more thar all the won.
ders Of creation" We may never know
all that is meant by this angelic phrase
"Glory to God" while we tabernacle il
the flesh, but bye and bye, when we com,
Into their company in heaven we shall
know more OF their language. "Peacs OF
earth and good will towards menu
what . prophecy Of universal blessing 4
this to the world. Amid the hates an,
contentious and wars Of earth it require
strong Christian faith to grasp this prom
iss In all Its tullness. Aud yet has NO
the Christian in his personal experisnc
Of love 10 God and man a foretasts an,
pledge OF the consummation Of God
grace In all tho worldf
THE SHEPHERDS VISIT THE MANaER.
Without delay, ~ soon a. the angel
had gone back to heaven, tho shepherd
mad hasts, and came n found Mar
and the babs lying In the mangsr, - Oh
esssl Aad sssa thsn. "AAd whoa The